BRING THE HOPE

The Help

2011-10-11T06:00:00-04:00

I went to see "The Help" with Mrs. Bring The Hope last week and I have to say that it's worth checking out. The story of overcoming life's challenges and standing up for what you believe is good to hear and the acting is very good.

One of the recurring scenes in the movie is that of a housemaid named Aibileen, played by Viola Davis, who encourages a young child by saying "You is kind. You is smart. And you is important." Grammar aside, the message is powerful and as the child repeats the message, you see the power of suggestion taking hold.

What words and phrases do you use to guide yourself and/or others around you?

The Amazing Alex Honnold

2011-10-03T06:00:00-04:00

If you haven't seen video of Alex Honnold climbing yet, you should take a few minutes to check this out. Alex is the most amazing athlete that I had never heard of before. He's humble and he's climbing for the love of the sport.

Cheers to Alex for showing us that nothing is impossible. And cheers to 60 Minutes for one great segment.

Bringing The Hope in Peru

2011-08-08T06:00:00-04:00

Some friends of mine just got back from Peru and man did they do some good on their trip.

Our friends traveled to visit the Hogar Orphanage outside of Cusco, Peru, where they partnered with a group called Peruvian Hearts to buy new mattresses, pillows, sheets and blankets for 30 girls living in the orphanage. Prior to the donation, the girls were sleeping uncomfortably on thin foam pads that were very old.

My friend said, "the girls were so excited to pick out the color for their mattresses and their new sheets that you would have thought it was Christmas. “They couldn’t wait to go to sleep that night and it was such a great experience to help meet some of their needs.”

Then, a really cool thing happened. Our friends were travelling with 10 other people on their trip and the group was so inspired by the mattress donation that pitched in too. The group of 10 raised $1,000 to purchase 30 blankets and backpacks for the girls.

I love that. Bringing the hope is contagious.

Rachel Beckwith Brings The Hope

2011-08-03T06:00:00-04:00

This post is sad and inspiring at the same time. Check out the following report from CNN about an amazing little girl who died too young.

(CNN) -- The 9-year-old who died shortly after trying to raise $300 for 15 people in need has posthumously surpassed her goal thousands of times over.

As of Monday afternoon, a little more than a week after Rachel Beckwith's death, her online fundraising page has drawn more than $745,000 in donations, affording clean water to almost 40,000 people.

Rachel Beckwith had wanted to give back for her birthday. Instead of the bicycles and charm bracelets on which most 9-year-old girls fixate, the Seattle-area child wanted to provide clean water to 15 people. She asked that friends and family donate money to a fundraising page she created through Charity Water.

"On June 12th 2011, I'm turning 9," Rachel wrote on her page. "I found out that millions of people don't live to see their 5th birthday. And why? Because they didn't have access to clean, safe water so I'm celebrating my birthday like never before. I'm asking from everyone I know to donate to my campaign instead of gifts for my birthday."

When she turned 9 in June, Rachel was $80 short of her goal. A month later, a 14-car pileup severed her spinal cord and left her on life support for three days. When she died on July 23, she had already exceeded her goal. Her church had taken to social media, spreading the word about Rachel's fundraising page, titled "Rachel's 9th Birthday Wish."

Since then, more than 21,000 donations have been made. Some are for $9, in honor of Rachel's age, while others are for thousands. Some donors commented, speaking of their own children who had asked for donations to Rachel's campaign for their own birthdays.

After girl's death, selfless act lives on

At the time of Rachel's death, her pastor, Ryan Meeks, told CNN affiliate KOMO about the Eastlake Church's goal in spreading the word about Rachel's project.

"She did what she could and now she can't, but we could pick up where she left off," Meeks said.

Two days after she died, on Monday July 25, her page had already raised $130,000, now only a fraction of total donations.

That day, Rachel's mother updated the statement her daughter had written on the site, saying, "I am in awe of the overwhelming love to take my daughter's dream and make it a reality. In the face of unexplainable pain you have provided undeniable hope. Thank you for your generosity! I know Rachel is smiling!"

How to Bring The Hope

2011-07-29T06:00:00-04:00

Here's a great how-to guide on how to bring hope. Have a great weekend.

Committed Citizens Can Change the World

2011-07-25T06:00:00-04:00

One of my favorites. As we plan our weeks, this is a good one to keep in mind.

Have a great day.

My Fitness Pal

2011-07-20T06:00:00-04:00

Hey, friends. If you're anything like me, you occasionally lose the battle of the bulge and find yourself needing to drop a few pounds (or in my case, 15 lbs) to get back into tip-top shape. That's where I was two weeks ago and I'm happy to say that I'm now making good progress tipping the scales in a more positive direction.

Exercise has been a big part of my game plan, but I have a new secret weapon as well. Maybe you've heard of it, it's a smart phone app called "MyFitness Pal" and it's awesome. It's a calorie counter to be sure, but it's a lot more than that too. It allowed me to set a target weight and the calories that I could consume each day to meet that goal. But, it also allows me to punch in the exercising that I do and see how many calories I'm burning through those activities.

It's really easy to use and it's been great for me to have something to help hold me accountable. Maybe you've found another smart phone app like this that works for you. If so, share a comment on it. But, I'm pleased with MyFitness Pal and it's free for the option that I choose. I'm assuming you can pay more if you want more features.

Anyway, it's working for me and I wanted to share that info with you. If you want to Bring The Hope, it helps to be happy and healthy. And for me, staying in shape is a back part of that equation.

Have a great day.

Wise Words From Betty Ford

2011-07-15T06:00:00-04:00

Do you ever wonder about the meaning of life?

Have you ever made a bucket list?

We all have the gift of time and it's up to us on how we spend it. Last night, I heard a news clip of an interview with Betty Ford where she said, "I think that we're put on Eart to help others. And if we can, we ought to do that."

There's a lot of power in those words and I think the late Betty Ford had it figured out. Helping others gives meaning to our lives and it's worth of our bucket lists.

Have a great weekend.

Some Words About Courage

2011-07-14T06:00:00-04:00

We all like to ramble on about our beliefs and the things that we care about. But, we can learn a lot by closing our pie holes and thoughtfully listening to people who have views that are divergent from our own. I think that courage is keeping an open mind and I love this quote.

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."~Winston Churchill.

Inspired Signmaker

2011-07-11T06:00:00-04:00

I love hearing stories about everyday people doing extraordinary things to get people focused on the things that matter in life. In yesterday's Indy Star, I read about Clayton Hamilton and his commitment to bringing poetic and political messages to people in his community. Cheers to Jim Walker for a great article.

Some of my favorites include:

"We have more in common than our differences."

"Random acts of kindness = a path to humanity."

Click here to read more about Hamilton and his messages. Credits to Frank Espich for the Indy Star photo shown above.

Happiness is...

2011-07-07T06:00:00-04:00

I like this. I'm always thinking about great stuff that I should be doing. Now, I just need to spend more time actually doing the stuff that I think about.

Robert Frost has a famous quote that reads, "Freedom lies in being bold." I think happiness lies in there too.

Dream big and have a great day.

Live Simply

2011-06-29T06:00:00-04:00

We all need words to live by. These are some good ones.

For All That is to Come, Yes!

2011-06-27T06:00:00-04:00

Are your best days ahead of you or behind you?

Do you have big dreams for the future?

Life is meant to be lived and there's not better day than today to get busy living.

I heard a great message yesterday that included this quote from D. Hammerskjold that reads...

"For all that has been, thanks. For all that is to come, yes!"

That's awesome. I count my blessings for all that I have and I look forward to all that will be.

Have a great week.

Happiness

2011-06-24T06:00:00-04:00

Are you happy? If not, you might want to think about how to get happy. This quote might help...

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our disposition and not our circumstances." - Martha Washington

Go, Martha. It's cool that we get to decide. Have a great weekend.

A Nod to Clarence Clemons

2011-06-21T06:00:00-04:00

I only got to see him in concert once. But, once was enough to appreciate what The Big Man had to offer. I saw Clarence Clemons play in Indianapolis early last year and that concert also happened to be Danny Federici's last gig before he succumed to cancer. Now, Clarence has passed on as well. Time marches on, but Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band will never be the same.

"Jungleland" is widely recognized as Clarence's saxophone masterpiece. Check out the video below from the 4:20 mark until 7:15. It's time well spent. To read a great obit on Clarence, check out Rolling Stone.

Ric Elias Says "Choose To Be Happy"

2011-06-20T06:00:00-04:00

Have you heard the story from Ric Elias regarding the life-changing experience that he's had since surviving the "miracle on the Hudson?" Ric is a high-powered CEO who used to be caught up in ego and power. Now, he's switched gears and he's more caught up in being a great dad and eliminating the negativity that used to surround him.

I like Ric's story and I think that it's good to remind ourselves that we get to decide how we spend our time and how we view the world. Ric says that he "chooses to be happy" and I think there is magic in that phrase.

If we sit around waiting for happiness to find us, the world will probably pass us by. But, if we choose to be happy today, in this very moment, we will find deeper meaning in our lives and our relationships.

If you have five minutes to spare, take a look at one of Ric's recent talks about his experience. Have a great week.

The Paradoxical Commandments

2011-06-15T06:00:00-04:00

I love this and I thought that you might too. Give the world the best that you have to give today.

The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

What Will You Give Away?

2011-06-10T06:00:00-04:00

I heard this tune for the first time yesterday as I was riding home. Between this, the new Buick commercial and the latest OECD ranking showing how America stacks up rather poorly regarding happiness and work-life balance, I think Vince Gill's tune is worth a ponder.

Have a great weekend.

"What You Give Away" -- Vince Gill

You read the business page
See how you did today
You live up on the hill
You've got a view that kills
Never wonder why

After you've counted everything you saved
Do you ever hit your knees and pray?
You know there's gonna be a judgment day
So what will you say?

[Chorus:]
No matter what you make
All that you can take
Is what you give away
What you give away

There's people on the street
Ai't got enough to eat
You just shake your head
The measure of a man is one who lends a hand
That's what my father said

After you've counted everything you saved
Do you ever hit your knees and pray?
You know there's gonna be a judgment day
So what will you say?

[Chorus]

It's what you give away

After you've counted everything you saved
Do you ever hit your knees and pray?
You know there's gonna be a judgment day
So what will you say?

No matter what you make
All that you can take
Is what you give away

You know it's not too late
It's all for Heaven's sake
What you give away

U2 Special Visit from Outer Space

2011-06-07T06:00:00-04:00

Check this out. U2 always has special surprises at its shows. But, this one tops the list. A very cool visit from NASA Commander Kelly.

Love This Kid

2011-06-06T06:00:00-04:00

After a week of vacation, we're back and ready to post again. But, sometimes a video captures everything that needs to be said on a Monday morning. Check out this kid's attitude.

He's got it all figured out. Just believe in yourself.