Kid President on Christmas gifts

Kid President is Always Worthy of Space on my Page

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/11/kid-president-gift-guide_n_4428202.html?utm_hp_ref=email_share

Just Another Day in the Park with a Broken Neck

This video was made 3 weeks ago in Baltimore.  It features Daymon Biddings, who broke is neck 14 years ago when his he was hit by a car on his bicycle.  ( My apologies to those who have been waiting to see it. He is much faster than I. It took Him 30 seconds to change a life, it took me almost 3 weeks to figure out how to post it.) 

Gal 6:9.  Let us not be weary in well doing, in due season we shall reap:   

ALS Challenge in one of Baltimore's homeless communities

Today,
Alexey Markelov, MD  UPMC Plastic Surgery
Mike Laufert, Amazon Corporate Counsel
Scott Rosenfelt, Producer/ Writer 8th Street Films
Joe Jones, Church in the Park
accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!

Although contributing to the ALS challenge is the focus of this goal,  it's a far better example of how  thousands of everyday  individuals collectively have more than an everyday impact.  Whereas none of you are "everyday individuals", you can be a catalyst  for thousands who believe they are.
At the end of the proverbial day, thousands may find solutions to many of the worlds problems are right in front of us....everyday.

My hope is  for someone new in every state to participate in this challenge in the next 30 days, and to see how many Countries outside the US will accept the challenge in the same time frame.

Thank you for taking this challenge.

"We started by asking what's wrong with the world, and ended up discovering what's right with it."
                                                                                                                  -Tom Shadyac

Sundays in the Park

What follows are statements coming from Baltimore’s Church in the Park.  The park is in the city, on the corner of President and Fayette Streets.   It was once called “Tent City “and is the town hall for many of Baltimore’s homeless and hopeless. 

“That was my bench for 4 years”

 “I like mysteries,”   “Anything that’s news…”,   “Documentaries,”   “… birds,”    “A bible.”

 “I see people lying on the ground, bleeding from the mouth.   I can’t help them.  That’s what sends m back to drugs.” 

“Let me make you a cup of coffee, Baby.”

“Homelessness is real.  It’s not like what  you see on TV.” “I was given away when I was 3.” 

“My name doesn't matter.   Just call me None.” 

“I've taken so much from other people; I have to give something back.” 

And, my very favorite: “We’ll pray for you… to have joy… for your success… for your huge financial success.” 

To give context to the last statement, I heard it the first time I visited the Park.  When prayer requests were made, I requested a prayer for my brother.  They prayed for him, then they added a prayer for me.  It was for my success;  my huge financial success.   Needless to say, I was surprised and curious as to how the prayer originated.  Their prayer was the last thing I heard before we left.  It’s been 8 weeks and the only things anyone in the park has asked for was green nail polish, tampons and an alarm clock.  No one seems to care  that I drive a Lexus,  that I’m white and I don’t understand Spanish,  although most don’t have cars,  are different races and some don’t speak English.   They don’t care that I  have access to resources and that I’m a Republican (at least I don’t think). If I asked a million Americans to guess the most likely prayer they’d receive at a homeless park, I’m confident no one would say it would be for their huge financial success. WHY?    This is one of 4 questions I've asked myself repeatedly.   The other 3 are as follows:

1. Do we have to have nothing not to judge others with something?
2. Does having something to lose, prevent people with something from helping others with nothing?
3. Is it possible to convince those with something, there is much to gain from helping others with anything?

Is there something we can learn from this that can impact the physical, emotional, social and economic well being of our country?
Anyone who figures that out, along with how to reproduce these attitudes in America’s communities, might have a shot at bridging the gap that’s destroying the trust and effectiveness of our current system.
Potential Upsides of Such a Solution

• Opportunity for voluntary re-distribution of resources (from those who visit the park to those who live in the park) And can it yield far more than mandatory re-distribution which results in tax hikes and low paying community outreach programs.
• Building confidence, leadership and life skills through knowledge and validation.
• Dollars spent on over site could be used to reduce debt.
• Community service opportunities would be available to fulfill educational, professional and religious requirements.
• Communities would be served.
• Businesses would benefit through tax write offs putting more dollars into the economy.
• Leadership opportunities would be available.  
• Local crowd sourcing potential would be realized.
• Neighborhoods would become communities and communities would interact with other communities.

**See resources needed and resources available on the Words and Works pages of this website.

‘No good deed goes unpunished’ or do you just need more creativecommunication?

February 2013 
"I was asked to write a blog for the Healthcare Business Woman's Association.  I had to think hard about what I could offer. After making a list of topics and scratching each one-off,  knowing someone it wouldn't appeal to, I decided to write about just that. There are certainly different strokes for different folks and that includes communication too..." Do you ever feel this saying is a daily mantra? At home or at work, if you interact with people this question will cross your mind.  If you interact with people who communicate differently than you, it could be a regular occurrence.  Whether you are familiar with DISC, Insights Discovery or other professional profiles, you can anticipate the best response by the 1st word of any question.   1. What (do you want me to do) 2. Who (can I connect you with)  3. Why (is this important) or  4, How (can I help).     The success of the ensuing conversation can be dependent on recognizing that word….or not. Recently a friend called to discuss a difficult and upsetting situation.  She was struggling with how to support a chronically ill relative.   She too had experienced a similar illness and although they discussed it, she was not able to establish a positive response.  After she shared a little more information, I asked if she really understood what her relative was going through, helped her find support information on-line and even ordered 2 books to be sent to her house.  She seemed more distraught after we talked than before.   Borrowing an important question from my process-oriented analytical friends; I finally asked “Why are you telling me this?”, she responded with “How, would that change your answer?” I said, “Well,  If you are asking What to do about it, I could help you find a solution.  If you are asking because you just need someone Who will listen, I would listen”.   She said, “I really just needed to know How I can feel needed”.     To which I had to admit, “Then,  I just said and did everything I shouldn't have.   I’m sorry”      Another reminder the old adage treat people the way you want to be treated, is not nearly as effective as treating them the way they want to be treated.

If you haven't, and are willing....Donate Life

Written August 22, 2013
 My 40-year-old brother in-law woke up with a new liver yesterday!    It is difficult to think about the events leading to this miracle.   We are forever grateful for the surgeons and scientists who were willing to pursue an idea, commit to its possibility and make it reality, the companies who believed enough to invest in their gifts and a society who trusted the innovators and allowed it to progress.  Hats off to embracing collaboration over individual gain! The selfless donor was only 20 years old.  I know the recipients will do everything they can to make all donors and their families proud. The greatest personal impact though is that a modern-day miracle of successfully exchanging a liver still suffers by comparison to the concept and creation of the liver itself and the small role it plays in the entire system. Our family hopes our country will continue to nurture world-wide innovation so our children can experience the things that are dreams for us today. If you haven't, and you are willing...donate life.