… the Rest of My List

Jul 202011
 

Earlier this week I heard the suggestion that to honor Nelson Mandela’s 93rd each of us contribute 67 minutes to helping someone: one minute for each of his years of community service. I decided to try to share some inspiring online connections with you. (And as long as you don’t “advertise,” you’re welcome to add some of your inspiration in the comments. Who knows… they may end up on our resource page!)

Here’s “Part 3” of my original list.

50. If you’re like me, you’ll find the Khan Academy a show-stopper. Learn “almost anything” for free.
51. A positive, encouraging attitude with lots of tips to help Mom-preneurs get a handle on organization and running a more efficient business.
52. If you have room in your home and in your heart for a new four-legged family member this is a great place to start.
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53. Tired of the corporate media mantra “if it bleeds it leads?” Good news network
54. Values.com
55. Speaking of values, this new blogger decided to fire her life and is having on online life liquidation sale. Her blog is, at times funny and often just a tad “too honest.”
56. Behavioral health is essential to health, prevention works, people recover and treatment works.
57. Cafe Gratitude is best described directly from their site: “a school of transformation and an experiment in sacred commerce.”
58. Remember what I said about the remarkable things that happen when Moms get mad? Here’s another one! Volunteering at your kids’ school should not be a chaotic experience.

It’s no secret I’m passionate about literacy. Here are a few more of “my champions” of literacy.

59. Books change lives and the Amelia Island Book Festival brings readers and authors together to inspire both. Their authors in schools program is a wonderful offering.
60. Teen years can be loaded with angst and YA fiction can help kids feel less isolated… one of the many reasons I like author and teacher David Matthew Barnes.
61. It’s not what happens, it’s what we tell ourselves about it. Storytelling is important for lots of reasons.
62. No matter how discouraged you might feel, Begin With Yes offers a steady stream of support as you take the next small step forward!
63. I love authors is a website/radio show combo that brings you a new author ever week.
64. My friend Tim Vandehey helps people tell their stories. He just published a kindle book to help other parents who work from home.
65. Linkstoliteracy.com
66. Michael Hicks is selling lots of books on kindle. The part that makes such a difference? He is generous in his encouragement of other authors who what to do the same.
67. I love this blogger so much I married him. Senior Saumurai writes about aging, martial arts and Buddhism in a warm and encouraging manner.

So there’s my list… and you know what? I know they make a difference: sharing them with you has made me feel better. And I already felt pretty darned good.

67 Tweeps Make a Difference – part 2

Jul 192011
 

I get inspired by the people and the things they create to make the world better. As I said in the last post, I got excited about the idea of introducing you to some of them. Here’s “Part 2” of my list of “67 People, Programs, Products or Ideas that Make a Difference”.

21. Lolly Daskal brings together a remarkable group of people through a weekly Twitter chat called “lead from within.”
22. This author calls a stepmom a “noble woman who cares for and nurtures her husband’s children.” There’s also a free e-book available on her site.
23. Junior Achievement teaches kids financial literacy. Here’s a link to one of my favorite chapters.
24. Andrew Vachss represents children and youth exclusively. He also writes books that give an incredible look at a part of the world most people would rather pretend does not exist.
25. Shiv is a poet & composer I follow on Twitter. He shares incredibly kind, uplifting energy.
26. Best known (from the movie) as a doctor and humorist, you may not know that Patch Adams is a social activist who has devoted forty years to changing health care.
27. Daily children’s book recommendations….. often with great “back stories”
28. Cruel’s not cool.
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29. “A better world begins at home and the fun starts right here!”
30. Read about the physical, emotional, spiritual and medical elements of the journey that is managing chronic pain.
31. Supportive housing to single mothers and their children overcoming homelessness (central TX)
32. Pamir Kiciman offers affordable (donation-based) long-distance reiki healing every month.
33. Practicalparentingonline.com Good info from author, health communicator and pediatrician.
34. Kidsareheroes.org highlights the ways kids are changing the world and becoming leaders!
35. Linette Daniels supports youth-serving organizations in becoming more excellent at preparingthe next generation.
36. Excellent blog about the customer service side of health and human services. Just helping people.
37. Sometimes the only thing in life we can change is an attitude…. And focusing on gratitude never fails.
38. Random Acts of Kindness
39. Pay it forward author Catherine Ryan Hyde.
40. Who you are matters. It gets better.
41. Celebrating musicians around the world
42. It began with 3 gardens and a pamphlet.
43. Food is a common language and a universal right
44. They’re fast, they’re free… and often funny. They never fail to be thought provoking. Check out TED: Best of the Web.
45. Nancycoaches.com shares kindness, humor and tips to help women be more organized and on top of their businesses.
46. I often share information about Tom Tuohy and Dreams for Kids, a remarkable organization.
47. Keisha Luce is a documentary sculpture artist. Sum & Parts depicts the impact of Agent Orange on a 3rd generation of Vietnamese people.
48. When Moms get mad, interesting things take place. The Pigtail Pals blog is a powerful voice for media literacy, especially as it applies to sex role stereo typing (and premature sexualization) of little girls.
49. Anyone living with ADD or ADHD (whether in yourself, someone you love or both) can benefit from high quality free content at this site.

The rest of the list will be posted soon. Don’t forget…. if you want to add to our Resources Page, part of the reason for this post is to give you a chance to suggest “great stuff” in the comments.

67 People, Programs, Products or Ideas That Make a Difference

Jul 182011
 

Earlier today I heard the suggestion that to honor Nelson Mandela’s 93rd each of us contribute 67 minutes to helping someone: one minute for each of his years of community service.

Vintage “me” – it took me about 4 seconds to come up with the idea…. and about four times longer than expected to implement it. (Story of my life!)

I grew up hearing that I should surround myself with people – and ideas – better than myself. It’s some of the best advice I’ve ever received and one of the reasons that I enjoy Twitter so much: I can control what I read and try to make sure that it is smart, positive and challenges me to be better.

My idea? Dip into my Twitter steam and share with you. Give you a chance to connect to some of the people who inspire me. Here’s my list (for today, anyway) of 67 People, Programs, Products or Ideas That Make a Difference. I invite you to check them out for yourselves… and, (as long as it’s not advertising and you tell us WHY they make a difference to you) add your own in the comments!

(It’s a long enough list that I’ve just decided to split it up and post it over a few days.)

Attitude is everything and we can’t help anyone else unless we’re OK ourselves. The first few links are daily doses of attitude adjustment!

1. Your attitude + your choices = your life. ‘nuff said?
2. Author Ray Davis provides a daily dose of affirmative thinking.
3. Sana Quijada practices psychiatry and writes about becoming a better friend to yourself.
4. Here’s another dose of positive!
5. Parenting, small business and a remarkable founder. Check the archives for her powerful “Are You Mothering a Mug Shot” post.
6. Lisa M. Wilber ~ a friend and successful Avon-preneur, dedicated to women’s economic independence — one consultant at a time!
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7.Dori diCarlo just launched the “it begins with a bag” campaign to help Alabama’s tornado-impacted student-athletes get back on their feet.
8.There are people who take photographs and there are artists whose medium is photography. I believe that when people bring their best selves to their work they can’t help but make a difference.
9.Keyuri Joshi is a talented parenting coach with a great blog and a focus on teaching emotional intelligence.
10. Artist Michael Juroque Johnson adds beauty, color and inspiration to the world around him.
11. Zen teacher and Mom Karen Maezen Miller writes a blog called Cheerio Road; I think that non-preachy discussions of practical spirituality lift us all.
12. Voice in Recovery is a powerful advocate for healthy living, media literacy and self-love and acceptance. Her message resonates with a variety of audiences including many people with eating disorders, body image struggles, substance abuse and self harm.
13. Casa Valentina.org addresses the needs of young women making the transition from foster care to independent living (Dade County FL)
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14. While don’t know a thing about their treatment program, I really appreciate the addiction and mental health news updates I get from them on Twitter.
15. Paul V. Harris is a recent addition to my daily news stream. Having recovered from burns over 85% of his body, he now teaches others how to overcome fear.
16. Another pro-literacy organization. Got a book in you? Let this crazy crew help you get it out!
17. Statistics show that women pay more for their cars than our male counterparts. Help end that inequity.
18. Mom to Madre extends a hand, both in English and Spanish, to young Moms trying to beat the odds. They are located in San Diego County.
19. Like many groups connected to professional sports, the Penguins Foundation works to promote physical health, encourage teamwork, value education and provide important life skills to kids.
20. Sonny Brewer is a generous and inspiring author.

To be continued….