Facebook for the Common Good


...And everything feels good for a while.

I want to recognize my friend Liza Van Arsdale-Mitchell for her recent utilization of Facebook to promote goodness. She posted the following:

Special request to kids returning to school in the next few days: If you see someone who is struggling to make friends or being bullied because he/she doesn’t have many friends, because they are shy or not as pretty or not dressed in the most “in” clothes – PLEASE step up. Say hi or at least smile at them in the hallway. You never know what that person might be facing outside of school. Your kindness might just make a BIG difference in someone’s life!

While I am not so old that I do not recall the uncomfortable nature of adolescence and the strong desire to fit in, I also recall moments in which I decided to go against the grain and simply do something because it was good and right. But for the grace of (G)od my children or your children will find acceptance within a group that promotes success and unity.

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A Quick Shot


This link was shared on Facebook. It is for a group called JCP “CARES”.  It is a collection of residents in the Julington Creek Plantation. I wanted to share what I interpret as their mission statement though a much shorter version appears on the home page. This is actually from the “How we are helping others” section of their page.

JCP “CARES” provides assistance to local charities and those in need through donations and time.  We divide our charity efforts into four different  categories; Animals & Environment, Senior & Medical, Children, and Homeless & Abused.  We focus on one specific group from each one of these categories throughout the year.  For the last three years we have also done a “Giving Tree” to help all of our local charities during the holidays.  JCP “CARES”  also has a Crisis Team to assist those affected by fire, natural disaster or other emergencies.

The specific link was related to their work for migrant farm workers.

The overwhelming nature of what needs to be done is frequently relieved by what is being done. Thank you, Chuck, for sharing this.

Some Toad for You


In honor of tonight’s show at Cat’s Cradle here are a few videos get the juices flowing.  The first is “Little Heaven” from In Light Syrup. I am sure I could have looked harder for a live performance but the lyrics are so inspiring I thought this worked even better. The second is “Hold Her Down” from Fear. Ironically this anti-rape song was targeted by some feminists as promoting rape. The third song is “Come Down” from Coil. Lastly is “Walk on the Ocean” also from Fear.

For me the band served to help me decide on my major in college and I used them to court my wife. If you are not a fan of Toad you should be…so fix that problem. 🙂

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