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1,000 Ways to Change the World

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Lumière:



Hello everyone,  :)

I thought it would be a neat idea to build a list of inspiring ideas on the many creative ways each of us can change the world for the better - from the smallest of deeds to the grand.  I sincerely believe that most of us are not as powerless as we may think and that a single drop of water in an ocean is not as insignificant as it appears.

I would love to hear your thoughts.  Maybe we really can collect up to 1,000 fresh ideas!  8)
To keep count, just enter the number in the subject line of your post.

Cheers,
~Lucise

Lumière:
I thought I'd go first.  :)


Volunteer at a Children's Hospital.

I love children, don't have any of my own, but that could change, who knows.
It is indeed a life-altering experience to spend time with children who are fatally-ill - some dying of cancer or AIDS or some other horrible disease.  An hour a week  with a sick child - to play with them or read them a story or just sit with them goes a long way.

Pipedream:
Brilliant idea, Milli!  :D

Alas, you got me at my week point here. For example, I know that I could make some old ladies happy (my mother in law, my aunt, my husband's aunt, etc.) by being a bit more attentive and considerate towards them. But more often than not, I just can't put myself to actually do it and avoid them when I can because they get on my nerves and steal my time...  :P
I drop a certain sum of money for all kinds of charitable activities every year. But I know, that my time and attention for those who are around me would be worth much more, and that makes me feel guilty. I will try to work at it...
No, wait. Knowing myself, I probably won't...

 :-\

Lumière:

--- Quote from: Pipedream on October 26, 2007, 03:46:14 pm ---Brilliant idea, Milli!  :D

Alas, you got me at my week point here. For example, I know that I could make some old ladies happy (my mother in law, my aunt, my husband's aunt, etc.)

--- End quote ---

I smiled when I read that Anke!  ;D 


--- Quote ---by being a bit more attentive and considerate towards them. But more often than not, I just can't put myself to actually do it and avoid them when I can because they get on my nerves and steal my time...  :P
I drop a certain sum of money for all kinds of charitable activities every year. But I know, that my time and attention for those who are around me would be worth much more, and that makes me feel guilty. I will try to work at it...
No, wait. Knowing myself, I probably won't...  :-\
--- End quote ---

At least you ain't kidding yourself about it..  hehe ;D

What you said here:

--- Quote ---I drop a certain sum of money for all kinds of charitable activities every year.
--- End quote ---

was our Number 2 on the list!  8)

~M

Lumière:
I thought I'd share a bit about a friend of mine called Francis. He is 97 years old.  He lives in a Seniors Care facility half a block from where I work.  I first saw Francis when I was going to meet a friend at the hospital cafeteria near where he lives.  I was drawn to him almost immediately.  He is one of the warmest souls I have ever met.  He radiates an energy that invites and brings a smile out of a person.  He sometimes sits in his wheelchair by the sliding doors, he says hello to everyone who walks in.  Some say hello back, some hurry off, some stop for a chat.  All I can say is - I am glad I stopped for a chat that day.  He has only one tooth in his mouth but he has one of the best smiles I ever saw - Maybe because you can feel it - you can tell that it is genuine.

Every week when I go by the hospital, I hope to catch a glimpse of him sitting in his wheelchair, dressed in his ol' cardigan and rainbow suspenders.. I got to thinking about Francis and I can't help but think that his carefree, positive attitude keeps him going well into his ripe old age .. I haven't seen much of him lately.  I miss those big ol' smiles .. and the very simple way he makes me smile just by looking at me.

In any case, I thought I'd tell you all a little bit about my friend Francis .. and the one weapon he wields so well:

Smile.  :)

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