"Ai," the traditional Chinese character for love consists of a heart (middle) inside of "accept," "feel," or "perceive," which shows a graceful emotion. It can also be interpreted as a hand offering ones heart to another hand.”
http://images1.cafepress.com/product/44028941v1_480x480_Front.jpg
“The concept of Ai was developed by the Chinese philosopher Mozi…Mozi, by contrast, believed people in principle should care for all people equally. Mohism stressed that rather than adopting different attitudes towards different people, love should be unconditional and offered to everyone without regard to reciprocation, not just to friends, family and other Confucian relations.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love#Chinese_and_other_Sinic_cultures
I tried to find which part of the character consists of the accept, feel or perceive, but all that kept coming up was the love character. The Japanese characater for love comes up as the same Chinese symbol. They must all realize that love is all inclusive with accepting and feeling with the heart. Smart people they are.
Love: English
Amore: Italian
Amour: French
Amor: Spanish & Portuguese
In other languages love can be said to be transalated into different versions of "more". Everyone must believe that we all need more love!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Thanks for the Love St. Valentine!
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart”. – Helen Keller http://www.history.com/content/valentine/valentine-s-day-quotations
We celebrate Valentine’s Day in the name of St. Valentine, who was a priest in Rome. He secretly married couples, even though Emperor Claudius II outlawed it because he thought single men made better soldiers. St. Valentine was thrown in jail for his actions. It is believed that he sent a love note to a girl he was in love with while in prison. The valentine was invented when he signed his note: “From your Valentine”. http://www.history.com/content/valentine/history-of-valentine-s-day
I absolutely love Valentine’s Day, which is ironic because I never actually get to celebrate it. I love everything about this day: pink, red, chocolate, flowers, the little valentines you exchanged in elementary school with that one boy who couldn’t resist telling your friend how he felt, so the words “IloveYou” were squished together on the back in the bottom right-hand corner. You know, real “pina colada and getting caught in the rain” type stuff.
However, to me the love that should exist for your partner is really more of a fairy tale. I have imagined what I think it should be like, but it my world it doesn’t exist. I am happy for the lucky others who have turned this fairy tale into a reality.
The other day when I got home from work I saw an older couple walking out of my building. He was holding her hand and helping her down the stairs. Even when the stairs had ended and they reached the even sidewalk, he still continued to hold her hand. That is love. It is rare for couples to make it so long, and to still see the magic in their relationship, just left me in awe.
That is the kind of love that everybody deserves. However, I imagine that that kind of love doesn’t just happen; it takes a lot of work. I wish you all the happiness that comes from a healthy relationship and the strength to make it through the rough times in-between.
For those who are feeling a little neglected during this holiday, a Safety Warning while planning your Boyfriend Bonfire: http://uncutfriendsepisodes.tripod.com/season1/114uncut.htm
1. “Make sure you are in a well-ventilated area”
2. “If you are going to be burning his clothing, you’re going to want to stay away from your synthetic fabrics”
3. “Try to let go of the anger, and learn to love yourself”
We celebrate Valentine’s Day in the name of St. Valentine, who was a priest in Rome. He secretly married couples, even though Emperor Claudius II outlawed it because he thought single men made better soldiers. St. Valentine was thrown in jail for his actions. It is believed that he sent a love note to a girl he was in love with while in prison. The valentine was invented when he signed his note: “From your Valentine”. http://www.history.com/content/valentine/history-of-valentine-s-day
I absolutely love Valentine’s Day, which is ironic because I never actually get to celebrate it. I love everything about this day: pink, red, chocolate, flowers, the little valentines you exchanged in elementary school with that one boy who couldn’t resist telling your friend how he felt, so the words “IloveYou” were squished together on the back in the bottom right-hand corner. You know, real “pina colada and getting caught in the rain” type stuff.
However, to me the love that should exist for your partner is really more of a fairy tale. I have imagined what I think it should be like, but it my world it doesn’t exist. I am happy for the lucky others who have turned this fairy tale into a reality.
The other day when I got home from work I saw an older couple walking out of my building. He was holding her hand and helping her down the stairs. Even when the stairs had ended and they reached the even sidewalk, he still continued to hold her hand. That is love. It is rare for couples to make it so long, and to still see the magic in their relationship, just left me in awe.
That is the kind of love that everybody deserves. However, I imagine that that kind of love doesn’t just happen; it takes a lot of work. I wish you all the happiness that comes from a healthy relationship and the strength to make it through the rough times in-between.
For those who are feeling a little neglected during this holiday, a Safety Warning while planning your Boyfriend Bonfire: http://uncutfriendsepisodes.tripod.com/season1/114uncut.htm
1. “Make sure you are in a well-ventilated area”
2. “If you are going to be burning his clothing, you’re going to want to stay away from your synthetic fabrics”
3. “Try to let go of the anger, and learn to love yourself”
Valentine’s/Single Awareness Day Mixed Tape
I Want Candy – Bow Wow Wow
Who doesn’t want candy, ok I don’t really like candy, but I do want chocolate!
Escape (The Pina Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes
I tend to think of this song when I think of dating. I love pictures of people getting caught in the rain, especially The Singing Butler by Jack Vettriano. In fact I pretty much fall in love with any photo or art piece that has rain. http://kafenedaki.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/lyall2650.jpg http://www.jackvettriano.com/
Pink (The South Beach Mix) – Aerosmith
Maybe this is why I like walks along the beach, well that and The Singing Butler mentioned above. At least I think I would like walks along the beach if I actually lived by the beach. Until that day, walks in the park are still the makings for a good time.
Pink is one of my favorite colors and this song is just has the classic makings for one of the best songs of all time. “It is the color of passion”.
The Lady in Red – Chris de Burgh
I love red too. Besides, I had a dream in high school that I was the lady in red. It was prom and I had a red dress and he had a red car…everything red! This is the other color of passion.
Bed of Roses – Bon Jovi
Really, who doesn’t want to be laid on a bed or roses?
Check Yes or No – George Strait
I had to complete my list of Valentine’s Day likes: pink, red, chocolate and flowers, and love notes. I must be a bit younger than good old George. In my day we also included maybe, especially for the non-committal type.
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) – Beyonce
This song has won a few short of 100 awards in the past year. This really could be the best song of all time. It is even better with the any of the various videos performances featuring Beyonce; check it out if you can.
This is the song all of us want to sing to the guy who could have had us, but blew it. If only they knew that we played the dancer to the right of Beyonce. It is a shame they didn’t realize our potential!
I Will Survive – Aretha Franklin
This is my classic get-over-a-guy song. Two of my old roommates, Megan and Stephanie, made this our theme boy-hater song. I think we listened to this song almost every weekend. We sang at the top of our lungs to relieve our frustrations (Megan was a little boy-crazy). It did usually make us feel a little bit better. Thanks for the memories girls!
Who doesn’t want candy, ok I don’t really like candy, but I do want chocolate!
Escape (The Pina Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes
I tend to think of this song when I think of dating. I love pictures of people getting caught in the rain, especially The Singing Butler by Jack Vettriano. In fact I pretty much fall in love with any photo or art piece that has rain. http://kafenedaki.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/lyall2650.jpg http://www.jackvettriano.com/
Pink (The South Beach Mix) – Aerosmith
Maybe this is why I like walks along the beach, well that and The Singing Butler mentioned above. At least I think I would like walks along the beach if I actually lived by the beach. Until that day, walks in the park are still the makings for a good time.
Pink is one of my favorite colors and this song is just has the classic makings for one of the best songs of all time. “It is the color of passion”.
The Lady in Red – Chris de Burgh
I love red too. Besides, I had a dream in high school that I was the lady in red. It was prom and I had a red dress and he had a red car…everything red! This is the other color of passion.
Bed of Roses – Bon Jovi
Really, who doesn’t want to be laid on a bed or roses?
Check Yes or No – George Strait
I had to complete my list of Valentine’s Day likes: pink, red, chocolate and flowers, and love notes. I must be a bit younger than good old George. In my day we also included maybe, especially for the non-committal type.
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) – Beyonce
This song has won a few short of 100 awards in the past year. This really could be the best song of all time. It is even better with the any of the various videos performances featuring Beyonce; check it out if you can.
This is the song all of us want to sing to the guy who could have had us, but blew it. If only they knew that we played the dancer to the right of Beyonce. It is a shame they didn’t realize our potential!
I Will Survive – Aretha Franklin
This is my classic get-over-a-guy song. Two of my old roommates, Megan and Stephanie, made this our theme boy-hater song. I think we listened to this song almost every weekend. We sang at the top of our lungs to relieve our frustrations (Megan was a little boy-crazy). It did usually make us feel a little bit better. Thanks for the memories girls!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Volunteer as a Drop Site in Your Area
1. For those who are unable to donate items or money I have another option for you. I have an idea on a way to volunteer a little bit of your time in March. I will update you when I have everything figured out. Check back later for more details. Thanks!
2. I would like to thank everyone who has expressed interest in helping with the care packages. I have even had a few people who are not in the Salt Lake area wanting to help. At first I was trying to see how to get the items from their area to Salt Lake. I think I found a solution that might work a little bit better.
3. I am looking for volunteers to be a drop site for the care packages. This can include as little as just saying you will provide a place for people in your area to drop of the care packages and then delivering them to a chosen non-profit agency/charity. A simple internet search or a call to your local police department would help in finding the right charity to deliver the packages to.
If you want to go a little bit farther you can help spread the word by sending an email or changing your social networking status, requesting help from those who are interested. Never underestimate how far your word can go by just simply mentioning and passing the information along.
This project is all about helping those who really need love. You might want to consider putting short notes of love, encouragement and hope with the packages. Those who are donating can add this to their items, or a quick note can be written at the drop site.
As the drop site for your area you can go as little or big as you want. The least I ask is to have one location to drop the items and to then to deliver the items to your charity of choice. I have a few contacts in the IDAHO FALLS/REXBURG, STAR VALLEY, LOGAN, and OGDEN/LAYTON areas for those who want to help in those places. I will take care of the SALT LAKE area. However, I am looking for people who are interested in those areas and who will volunteer to be the leader. That way I won’t have to call in favors to those areas just yet.
We have a few people outside of those areas that read this blog. If you can set up something in your area I will see what else I can do to help you and to help get the word around.
4. Everyone likes to hear the stories and see pictures of how they have helped. If you can share ideas on how things went that would be appreciated!
Thank you for everyone who is willing to help those in need. A little bit of time, work and money can go a long way.
5. Reminder on Suggested Donation Items based on 211 In-Kind List:
Arts & Crafts
Baby Supplies
Books/Magazine/CDs/Videos
Clothing
Hygiene Items
Quilts
Toys/Games/Sports Equipment
2. I would like to thank everyone who has expressed interest in helping with the care packages. I have even had a few people who are not in the Salt Lake area wanting to help. At first I was trying to see how to get the items from their area to Salt Lake. I think I found a solution that might work a little bit better.
3. I am looking for volunteers to be a drop site for the care packages. This can include as little as just saying you will provide a place for people in your area to drop of the care packages and then delivering them to a chosen non-profit agency/charity. A simple internet search or a call to your local police department would help in finding the right charity to deliver the packages to.
If you want to go a little bit farther you can help spread the word by sending an email or changing your social networking status, requesting help from those who are interested. Never underestimate how far your word can go by just simply mentioning and passing the information along.
This project is all about helping those who really need love. You might want to consider putting short notes of love, encouragement and hope with the packages. Those who are donating can add this to their items, or a quick note can be written at the drop site.
As the drop site for your area you can go as little or big as you want. The least I ask is to have one location to drop the items and to then to deliver the items to your charity of choice. I have a few contacts in the IDAHO FALLS/REXBURG, STAR VALLEY, LOGAN, and OGDEN/LAYTON areas for those who want to help in those places. I will take care of the SALT LAKE area. However, I am looking for people who are interested in those areas and who will volunteer to be the leader. That way I won’t have to call in favors to those areas just yet.
We have a few people outside of those areas that read this blog. If you can set up something in your area I will see what else I can do to help you and to help get the word around.
4. Everyone likes to hear the stories and see pictures of how they have helped. If you can share ideas on how things went that would be appreciated!
Thank you for everyone who is willing to help those in need. A little bit of time, work and money can go a long way.
5. Reminder on Suggested Donation Items based on 211 In-Kind List:
Arts & Crafts
Baby Supplies
Books/Magazine/CDs/Videos
Clothing
Hygiene Items
Quilts
Toys/Games/Sports Equipment
Haiti Request
I had someone ask about using the care packages for Haiti instead. I looked at all of the links listed on the KSL website in the Haiti post to see what I could find out. A few of those sites were: Red Cross, UNICEF, and churches such as LDS, Catholic, Lutheran, and Methodist.
Most places are only accepting cash donations. Money can go a lot farther with non-profit agencies that already have deals worked out with buying and shipping items at lower costs, making the money stretch farther. Here is a link that you can look at that relates to this: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35273773/ns/world_news-haiti_earthquake
We are trying to see if we might be able to come up with some ideas on how to raise more money. If you have any ideas or know on how to help or if you already know of events for this please let me know. Then if we can get something set up I will let you know. Thanks!
Most places are only accepting cash donations. Money can go a lot farther with non-profit agencies that already have deals worked out with buying and shipping items at lower costs, making the money stretch farther. Here is a link that you can look at that relates to this: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35273773/ns/world_news-haiti_earthquake
We are trying to see if we might be able to come up with some ideas on how to raise more money. If you have any ideas or know on how to help or if you already know of events for this please let me know. Then if we can get something set up I will let you know. Thanks!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Care Packages for Victims of Abuse & Domestic Violence
February is the month of love and this whole Love’s Fire idea is all about love too. Imagine that! I thought it would be good idea to spread the love by trying to help those in need.
Lately my thoughts have been directed to abused children as well as victims of domestic violence situations. I found some websites that gave me a few ideas. However, I am only one person and can’t do much by myself. I am looking for people who are interested in helping me.
Those who leave an abusive relationship do not always have time to pack. Sometimes they are in situations that only have a small opening for an escape. When this happens basic things like hygiene items are not packed.
Then there are those children who are confused and scared. Maybe a simple toy or activity would help them take their mind off of things until they can process what is happening. I thought we could try and gather some of these items and donate them.
I found a website that lists in kind donations that various non-profit agencies need. I attached it so you can have a better idea of what we can do. It will also help those, who are not in the Salt Lake area, know what kind of things they can donate if they choose to do so.
Click on the in-kind donation link at:
http://www.211ut.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=13
Suggested Donation Items based on 211 In-Kind List:
Arts & Crafts
Baby Supplies
Books/Magazine/CDs/Videos
Clothing
Hygiene Items
Quilts
Toys/Games/Sports Equipment
Please comment on this post or email me at forlovesfire@hotmail.com if you are interested in helping. That way I can figure out exactly what we can put together based on who wants to help. Thanks everyone!
http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fewhours/domestic-violence-shelters.htm
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
http://www.ndvh.org/ 800-799-SAFE (7233) Calls are Anonymous & Confidential
Child Abuse:
http://www.crimevictim.utah.gov/
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/ca.htm 800-4-A-Child
http://www.preventchildabuse.org/index.shtml
http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/child-abuse.htm
Lately my thoughts have been directed to abused children as well as victims of domestic violence situations. I found some websites that gave me a few ideas. However, I am only one person and can’t do much by myself. I am looking for people who are interested in helping me.
Those who leave an abusive relationship do not always have time to pack. Sometimes they are in situations that only have a small opening for an escape. When this happens basic things like hygiene items are not packed.
Then there are those children who are confused and scared. Maybe a simple toy or activity would help them take their mind off of things until they can process what is happening. I thought we could try and gather some of these items and donate them.
I found a website that lists in kind donations that various non-profit agencies need. I attached it so you can have a better idea of what we can do. It will also help those, who are not in the Salt Lake area, know what kind of things they can donate if they choose to do so.
Click on the in-kind donation link at:
http://www.211ut.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=13
Suggested Donation Items based on 211 In-Kind List:
Arts & Crafts
Baby Supplies
Books/Magazine/CDs/Videos
Clothing
Hygiene Items
Quilts
Toys/Games/Sports Equipment
Please comment on this post or email me at forlovesfire@hotmail.com if you are interested in helping. That way I can figure out exactly what we can put together based on who wants to help. Thanks everyone!
http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fewhours/domestic-violence-shelters.htm
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
http://www.ndvh.org/ 800-799-SAFE (7233) Calls are Anonymous & Confidential
Child Abuse:
http://www.crimevictim.utah.gov/
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/ca.htm 800-4-A-Child
http://www.preventchildabuse.org/index.shtml
http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/child-abuse.htm
Concrete Angel by Martina McBride
Martina McBride is another artist who is known for her inspirational music. Not all of her music is happy, which is sometimes necessary to draw attention to those who do need help.
This song is about an abused little girl. There are people, who realize she is being abused; including a teacher and neighbors, yet they do not help. I choose to think they were not really heartless, but just didn’t really know how to help.
As a teacher there has to be some one within the administration to report suspicious problems too. Make sure you know the drill before a problem comes up, not after it is too late. As for the neighbors: calls can be made to your local police department. The police will make a referral to some sort of home that deals with whatever issue needs to be resolved.
Very little action is required on our part, yet that one little phone call could help change a life for the better. Perhaps it will even save a life. Please, do not ignore a problem that you might be able to help fix.
http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/596-martina-mcbride
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
http://www.ndvh.org/ 800-799-SAFE (7233) Calls are Anonymous & Confidential
Child Abuse:
http://www.crimevictim.utah.gov/
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/ca.htm 800-4-A-Child
http://www.preventchildabuse.org/index.shtml
http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/child-abuse.htm
This song is about an abused little girl. There are people, who realize she is being abused; including a teacher and neighbors, yet they do not help. I choose to think they were not really heartless, but just didn’t really know how to help.
As a teacher there has to be some one within the administration to report suspicious problems too. Make sure you know the drill before a problem comes up, not after it is too late. As for the neighbors: calls can be made to your local police department. The police will make a referral to some sort of home that deals with whatever issue needs to be resolved.
Very little action is required on our part, yet that one little phone call could help change a life for the better. Perhaps it will even save a life. Please, do not ignore a problem that you might be able to help fix.
http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/596-martina-mcbride
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
http://www.ndvh.org/ 800-799-SAFE (7233) Calls are Anonymous & Confidential
Child Abuse:
http://www.crimevictim.utah.gov/
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/ca.htm 800-4-A-Child
http://www.preventchildabuse.org/index.shtml
http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/child-abuse.htm
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Confessions of a Hypocrite
I constantly think about what my next update should be. At times I have really good ideas on how to help and other times I think I am just a hypocrite. There is a saying that goes, “it is better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all.” Most of the time I don’t really feel that way.
I am a much better listener than a talker. I am also a people observer. I like to see the relationships people have as well as how one person will relate to various types of people. It is really amazing the things that you learn from using those little tricks.
I find it interesting that people do not want to be judged on certain things, then turn around and judge others for the same things. Then there are those who will look right past someone who is truly deserving of their attention, to a person right behind them because the world says they are better. I like to measure a person not by how they treat their superiors, or even their equals, but by how they treat the underdog.
When I see what I see and hear the things that I hear, it leaves me very little hope that people can truly love and accept others the way they deserve. I see people act like best friends. Yet that same person was just talking behind the other’s back two minutes before.
It is reasons like this that I tend to believe that is better to have never loved at all. I know the same things that are happening to other people are also happening to me. So my defense has gotten to the point where I don’t try to make friends with others. When I hear people talking bad about another person, or I see people playing favorites and excluding someone else, all I feel I can do is shut down.
I have done a few different versions of the color tests throughout my schooling. If I have learned anything about myself it is that I am very indecisive and hold loyalty in people above most other qualities. I basically don’t trust anyone because there doesn’t seem to be any of the loyal friends left. Even people who are supposed to be on my side tend to play against me at times.
The problem is I am a hypocrite too. Because of my lack of trust in others, I don’t make new friends and I don’t tell my friends anything about me either. I choose to turn myself into a social recluse. I always thought that if I didn’t have relationships with others then it wouldn’t bother me to see them get hurt and I wouldn’t get hurt either. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work out the way I hoped it would. It doesn’t matter if I don’t get involved, I still hear, see and feel things just the same. The only way to fix it is to try and prevent other’s pain.
That is where the whole Love’s Fire idea comes in. Ignoring is not easier; it just makes the problems worse because nobody is fighting for those who need it. The problem is I am only one person. Alone my fight won’t amount to much. If we all fight we could make a difference.
I am a much better listener than a talker. I am also a people observer. I like to see the relationships people have as well as how one person will relate to various types of people. It is really amazing the things that you learn from using those little tricks.
I find it interesting that people do not want to be judged on certain things, then turn around and judge others for the same things. Then there are those who will look right past someone who is truly deserving of their attention, to a person right behind them because the world says they are better. I like to measure a person not by how they treat their superiors, or even their equals, but by how they treat the underdog.
When I see what I see and hear the things that I hear, it leaves me very little hope that people can truly love and accept others the way they deserve. I see people act like best friends. Yet that same person was just talking behind the other’s back two minutes before.
It is reasons like this that I tend to believe that is better to have never loved at all. I know the same things that are happening to other people are also happening to me. So my defense has gotten to the point where I don’t try to make friends with others. When I hear people talking bad about another person, or I see people playing favorites and excluding someone else, all I feel I can do is shut down.
I have done a few different versions of the color tests throughout my schooling. If I have learned anything about myself it is that I am very indecisive and hold loyalty in people above most other qualities. I basically don’t trust anyone because there doesn’t seem to be any of the loyal friends left. Even people who are supposed to be on my side tend to play against me at times.
The problem is I am a hypocrite too. Because of my lack of trust in others, I don’t make new friends and I don’t tell my friends anything about me either. I choose to turn myself into a social recluse. I always thought that if I didn’t have relationships with others then it wouldn’t bother me to see them get hurt and I wouldn’t get hurt either. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work out the way I hoped it would. It doesn’t matter if I don’t get involved, I still hear, see and feel things just the same. The only way to fix it is to try and prevent other’s pain.
That is where the whole Love’s Fire idea comes in. Ignoring is not easier; it just makes the problems worse because nobody is fighting for those who need it. The problem is I am only one person. Alone my fight won’t amount to much. If we all fight we could make a difference.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
My Switzerland Purpose
The idea of Love’s Fire formed mostly during the holidays. Several things have happened recently that seemed to point me in the direction of helping others. As I looked at ways to help, I found that it was not as easy as I thought it would be. Most places wanted money or products that only the skilled and gifted could provide. I don’t have a lot of money or many helpful skills. That left me with only my time to volunteer. I soon found out that most places want you to volunteer during the day. Quitting my job and going on welfare seemed kind of counter-productive. I seemed to be getting nowhere. Then the ideas started to form.
One of the things I learned at school was that most people do not educate themselves on various issues because it takes too much of their time. It seemed logical to have one place to go to receive most of the information you could want. My initial plan was to find various charities and non-profit agencies that could use our help and put all the information in one spot for everyone to benefit from. Maybe there is a place like this already, but in my searching I have yet to find one.
As I starting putting ideas together I realized that I wanted more than just places where people could donate money, items, or time. I also wanted a place where I could find helpful information on different social issues. Even more I wanted a place that helped remind us of why it is important to give back. Apparently, I want a lot.
Love’s Fire is in the trial and error stages. I am not exactly sure how it will all work out. I have so much information constantly running through my head that it has almost completely consumed my thoughts. I have trouble sleeping at night because my brain is still trying to figure out what is best to put on here, how to find that information and how it should be posted.
One of the main reasons I wanted to give back was because I came to a realization on how much other people need our help. There are people struggling for love and acceptance. There are those who appear to be the bad guys, but really they are just broken people who never received the help they needed. It isn’t too late to help them now and it is not too late to try and prevent others from feeling the horrible affects that life can have on us. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.
At times all of us have felt unloved or unaccepted by our peers. That is a horrible feeling. Nobody should ever feel that way. In my opinion this is the start of what can make a person decline. If we don’t receive the love we need, we look in other places that make it seem like we are loved. These other ways are things that do not last. They are fleeting and soon die, only to leave us even unhappier. Sometimes they even hurt others. To get that false sense of love back we have to keep giving in to these ways. Then those people are judged for the choices they make, leaving them feeling even more unloved. It seems like an endless cycle. In reality we have no idea what lead those individuals to such a way of living. We should not judge what we do not understand.
There is hope. One of the songs I posted, Crazy by Simple Plan, talks about how there are no more normal families. While I think that love and acceptance is important in all aspects of society, I think the most powerful form comes from our families. It is sad to think that many do not have the family support that they need and deserve. In order to fix the family, we need to fix the individual.
I often have a hard time of organizing my thoughts into a simple form for others to understand. I might sound like I am rambling. That is because I feel so passionate about helping others feel the love they need. The best I can come up with at this point is through the idea of Love’s Fire.
Right now my plans for Love’s Fire is to have many places a person can give back to society as well as provide information on various social issues to help others make the best choices. My goal is to keep things neutral. Not everyone will feel accepted if we say that one choice is better than another because it matches what our values and morals are.
Like everyone else, I have my own opinions and my values. They might be different from yours and that is fine. The point is to educate people to make the right decisions for them. It is also to teach others that not every decision is right for everyone. Only those who are close to the situation can decide what is right. I want to provide the facts on various choices and I want you to figure out every single person that will be affected by the decision you make. Then make the decision that will be the most beneficial in that certain situation.
Please, love and accept others no matter if you agree with them or not. Do not judge others for the decisions that they have made. You have no idea what the circumstances are that lead to those decisions. Remember the worth of each and every individual. Everyone deserves to have real, unconditional love. Help others as much as possible and help make a better life for all of us. I do not want Love’s Fire to be about me, I want it to be about everyone. Please, share the idea of Love’s Fire to keep it alive. Thank you.
P.S. Since you are not supposed to judge, please forgive me for the many mistakes I have made or will inevitably make in the future. Yes, that means ALL of my flaws. I much appreciate it.
One of the things I learned at school was that most people do not educate themselves on various issues because it takes too much of their time. It seemed logical to have one place to go to receive most of the information you could want. My initial plan was to find various charities and non-profit agencies that could use our help and put all the information in one spot for everyone to benefit from. Maybe there is a place like this already, but in my searching I have yet to find one.
As I starting putting ideas together I realized that I wanted more than just places where people could donate money, items, or time. I also wanted a place where I could find helpful information on different social issues. Even more I wanted a place that helped remind us of why it is important to give back. Apparently, I want a lot.
Love’s Fire is in the trial and error stages. I am not exactly sure how it will all work out. I have so much information constantly running through my head that it has almost completely consumed my thoughts. I have trouble sleeping at night because my brain is still trying to figure out what is best to put on here, how to find that information and how it should be posted.
One of the main reasons I wanted to give back was because I came to a realization on how much other people need our help. There are people struggling for love and acceptance. There are those who appear to be the bad guys, but really they are just broken people who never received the help they needed. It isn’t too late to help them now and it is not too late to try and prevent others from feeling the horrible affects that life can have on us. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.
At times all of us have felt unloved or unaccepted by our peers. That is a horrible feeling. Nobody should ever feel that way. In my opinion this is the start of what can make a person decline. If we don’t receive the love we need, we look in other places that make it seem like we are loved. These other ways are things that do not last. They are fleeting and soon die, only to leave us even unhappier. Sometimes they even hurt others. To get that false sense of love back we have to keep giving in to these ways. Then those people are judged for the choices they make, leaving them feeling even more unloved. It seems like an endless cycle. In reality we have no idea what lead those individuals to such a way of living. We should not judge what we do not understand.
There is hope. One of the songs I posted, Crazy by Simple Plan, talks about how there are no more normal families. While I think that love and acceptance is important in all aspects of society, I think the most powerful form comes from our families. It is sad to think that many do not have the family support that they need and deserve. In order to fix the family, we need to fix the individual.
I often have a hard time of organizing my thoughts into a simple form for others to understand. I might sound like I am rambling. That is because I feel so passionate about helping others feel the love they need. The best I can come up with at this point is through the idea of Love’s Fire.
Right now my plans for Love’s Fire is to have many places a person can give back to society as well as provide information on various social issues to help others make the best choices. My goal is to keep things neutral. Not everyone will feel accepted if we say that one choice is better than another because it matches what our values and morals are.
Like everyone else, I have my own opinions and my values. They might be different from yours and that is fine. The point is to educate people to make the right decisions for them. It is also to teach others that not every decision is right for everyone. Only those who are close to the situation can decide what is right. I want to provide the facts on various choices and I want you to figure out every single person that will be affected by the decision you make. Then make the decision that will be the most beneficial in that certain situation.
Please, love and accept others no matter if you agree with them or not. Do not judge others for the decisions that they have made. You have no idea what the circumstances are that lead to those decisions. Remember the worth of each and every individual. Everyone deserves to have real, unconditional love. Help others as much as possible and help make a better life for all of us. I do not want Love’s Fire to be about me, I want it to be about everyone. Please, share the idea of Love’s Fire to keep it alive. Thank you.
P.S. Since you are not supposed to judge, please forgive me for the many mistakes I have made or will inevitably make in the future. Yes, that means ALL of my flaws. I much appreciate it.
Stand Up 2 Cancer
I can't imagine that there are many people, if any at all, who does not know at least one person who has been affected by cancer in some way.
Here is a website that is working on finding new ways to fight cancer and prevent it. Their slogan is about how it is up to us to save lives now.
http://www.standup2cancer.org/
Here is a website that is working on finding new ways to fight cancer and prevent it. Their slogan is about how it is up to us to save lives now.
http://www.standup2cancer.org/
Music & Lyrics
Music is poetry. Like most poetry, the message can be interpreted in many different ways. That is the beauty of this art.
Music is something that I love. No matter what mood I am in there is a least one song that can be justified by my mood, or can even help in changing my mood. For all of you Twilight fans out there, I imagine Jasper’s talent to be the very same one that music has.
Music is so personal to an individual, but there are always those songs that will excite us as well as ones that can help us reflect and understand different issues. I have a small collection of songs listed that are inspirational or that just make me happy. I hope the same happy, hopeful messages come across to you.
I will be adding, and maybe even changing, some of the songs I have listed as I add new topics or simply need a change. I plan to put little notes with each of them to state why I think they are important and reasons why the artists are some of my favorites. Enjoy!
Music is something that I love. No matter what mood I am in there is a least one song that can be justified by my mood, or can even help in changing my mood. For all of you Twilight fans out there, I imagine Jasper’s talent to be the very same one that music has.
Music is so personal to an individual, but there are always those songs that will excite us as well as ones that can help us reflect and understand different issues. I have a small collection of songs listed that are inspirational or that just make me happy. I hope the same happy, hopeful messages come across to you.
I will be adding, and maybe even changing, some of the songs I have listed as I add new topics or simply need a change. I plan to put little notes with each of them to state why I think they are important and reasons why the artists are some of my favorites. Enjoy!
You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up) by Josh Groban
This Song just seems confirm everything I want to get out there with Love’s Fire. Everybody has felt like giving up at one point or another. We might know that others love us, but sometimes it seems impossible to actually feel that love. It breaks my heart to think that there are people who do not know of their worth.
At times we all need someone to “lift us, break our silence, hear us, love us, find us, and shine to guide us.” It is so hard when we just don’t know where to turn. There are people out there crying for our help. Maybe we are the only one who can truly help them. Please, find and love them.
Josh Groban is truly an inspiration to me and to so many others. I cannot even find the words to describe my deepest respect for him and his work. Words just seem so inadequate. His whole career seems to be focused on giving back as well as inspiring others to do the same. He is one of my main inspirations for starting Love’s Fire. Josh’s charity can be found at: http://www.grobanitesforcharity.org/
"Inspired by a visit with Nelson Mandela during a trip to South Africa in 2004, Josh established the Josh Groban Foundation to help children in need through education, health care, and the arts. Over the years, Josh’s devoted fans have been getting close to reaching their goal of a million dollars for the Josh Groban Foundation."
At times we all need someone to “lift us, break our silence, hear us, love us, find us, and shine to guide us.” It is so hard when we just don’t know where to turn. There are people out there crying for our help. Maybe we are the only one who can truly help them. Please, find and love them.
Josh Groban is truly an inspiration to me and to so many others. I cannot even find the words to describe my deepest respect for him and his work. Words just seem so inadequate. His whole career seems to be focused on giving back as well as inspiring others to do the same. He is one of my main inspirations for starting Love’s Fire. Josh’s charity can be found at: http://www.grobanitesforcharity.org/
"Inspired by a visit with Nelson Mandela during a trip to South Africa in 2004, Josh established the Josh Groban Foundation to help children in need through education, health care, and the arts. Over the years, Josh’s devoted fans have been getting close to reaching their goal of a million dollars for the Josh Groban Foundation."
What a Wonderful World by The Ramones
This song is originally by the amazing Louis Armstrong, but I chose the more upbeat version covered by The Ramones.
When the weather is warm and everything is in full bloom this is a song I tend to think of. Days like that just remind me of why I love life.
Some of my favorite pastimes are just hanging around in beautiful locations and just watching people. I love to see how they interact with each other. You can see when a person truly cares and is just happy to be in the presence of another. It is not only the big things that can portray love. It is also the small things, like a friendly smile, wave or a hug.
When the weather is warm and everything is in full bloom this is a song I tend to think of. Days like that just remind me of why I love life.
Some of my favorite pastimes are just hanging around in beautiful locations and just watching people. I love to see how they interact with each other. You can see when a person truly cares and is just happy to be in the presence of another. It is not only the big things that can portray love. It is also the small things, like a friendly smile, wave or a hug.
Crazy by Simple Plan
This song points out so many of the problems in society today. Problems that can be changed if we all just work together. We need to remember that our actions affect not only us, but so many others around us. The world has views about how things should be that they forget the things that really matter in life.
“Diet pills, surgery
Photoshop pictures in magazines
Telling them how they should be…
There's no more normal families
Parents act like enemies
Making kids feel like it's world war III…
Rich guys driving big SUV's
While kids are starving in the streets…”
http://www.simpleplanfoundation.org/
The Simple Plan Foundation aims to help young people in need, stricken with serious illness or going through teenage problems: drugs, depression, suicide, poverty and the effects of war. Through donations and work with various groups and organizations, the Foundation strives to make a difference in the lives of this youth. For the band members, the promotion of musical programs in schools is a viable way to help young people develop a passion and to find a sense of purpose in life. Also very important to the Foundation are musical therapy programs for the handicapped or gravely ill children.
“Diet pills, surgery
Photoshop pictures in magazines
Telling them how they should be…
There's no more normal families
Parents act like enemies
Making kids feel like it's world war III…
Rich guys driving big SUV's
While kids are starving in the streets…”
http://www.simpleplanfoundation.org/
The Simple Plan Foundation aims to help young people in need, stricken with serious illness or going through teenage problems: drugs, depression, suicide, poverty and the effects of war. Through donations and work with various groups and organizations, the Foundation strives to make a difference in the lives of this youth. For the band members, the promotion of musical programs in schools is a viable way to help young people develop a passion and to find a sense of purpose in life. Also very important to the Foundation are musical therapy programs for the handicapped or gravely ill children.
Seasons of Love – Rent by Jonathan Larson
Rent is a musical I was indifferent to seeing when I first heard about it almost two years ago. For that reason I never actually watched it until recently, when I realized that some of the characters I liked in other performances were cast members. When I finally did watch it I was blown away by how much it inspired me.
Rent was written and composed by Jonathan Larson. Jonathan saw serious issues where people needed help, yet those individuals were shunned instead of helped because their lifestyle choices might not have been opposite from our own. Rent is not the most conservative show, yet I believe that the things portrayed are ones that help us open our eyes to what really matters, the individual.
“525,600 minutes…how do you measure, measure a year…Measure in Love…”
Jonathan was taken too soon, from a genetic issue, but his legacy lives on.
http://americantheatrewing.org/larsongrants/
Rent was written and composed by Jonathan Larson. Jonathan saw serious issues where people needed help, yet those individuals were shunned instead of helped because their lifestyle choices might not have been opposite from our own. Rent is not the most conservative show, yet I believe that the things portrayed are ones that help us open our eyes to what really matters, the individual.
“525,600 minutes…how do you measure, measure a year…Measure in Love…”
Jonathan was taken too soon, from a genetic issue, but his legacy lives on.
http://americantheatrewing.org/larsongrants/
Innocent by Our Lady Peace
This is a song about people who wish they could escape. All around is the world that says you should not be yourself. It makes us think that we have to give in to what the world says. We have to be the perfect person, when in reality that lifestyle seems to make us more miserable. “I remember: feeling low…losing hope…all the feelings and the day they stopped.” We need these feelings to stop. We need to remember the worth we have based on who we are, not who the world thinks we should be.
If Everyone Cared by Nickelback
Nickelback, like many of the other artists I will share with you, has multiple inspirational songs. It is an impossible task to list them all, as there are simply too many to list.
This song I imagine as being a wish as to what could happen if we all “cared, loved, and shared”. Imagine what we could all do if we worked together.
“We'll show the world they were wrong…
If they could love like you and me
Imagine what the world could be…
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died”
I could not find an actual foundation for Nickelback, but below is a recent donation listed on their website.
http://www.nickelback.com/index2.html
This song I imagine as being a wish as to what could happen if we all “cared, loved, and shared”. Imagine what we could all do if we worked together.
“We'll show the world they were wrong…
If they could love like you and me
Imagine what the world could be…
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died”
I could not find an actual foundation for Nickelback, but below is a recent donation listed on their website.
http://www.nickelback.com/index2.html
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Team Ryan Hess
I started this blog for many reasons. I plan to explain more about those reasons later, but this is one of them. Below is a link to a blog for Team Ryan Hess, who is someone I went to high school with.
Ryan was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in summer of 2009. He was given somewhere around a 35% chance to live, but it was recently confirmed that he is in remission.
Ryan has been unable to work since he was diagnosed. Ryan’s wife is currently working part time and they have two kids to take care of. Ryan is a federal employee. A way was set up for other federal employees to easily donate to his family. There is also a way for non-federal employees to donate through Wells Fargo under the Ryan Hess Donation Fund.
Please donate anything you can, or at least spread the word so Ryan’s family can receive the help they need. Thank you!
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%253A%252F%252Fteamryanhess.blogspot.com%252F&h=5730b6a8cf1a26a0d1acbf3a83a40c31&ref=nf
Ryan was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in summer of 2009. He was given somewhere around a 35% chance to live, but it was recently confirmed that he is in remission.
Ryan has been unable to work since he was diagnosed. Ryan’s wife is currently working part time and they have two kids to take care of. Ryan is a federal employee. A way was set up for other federal employees to easily donate to his family. There is also a way for non-federal employees to donate through Wells Fargo under the Ryan Hess Donation Fund.
Please donate anything you can, or at least spread the word so Ryan’s family can receive the help they need. Thank you!
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%253A%252F%252Fteamryanhess.blogspot.com%252F&h=5730b6a8cf1a26a0d1acbf3a83a40c31&ref=nf
Help for Haiti
It has been over a week since an earthquake hit Haiti. Many have donated money to charities, but more can be done. If everyone donated just a small amount, it would really help Haiti in their continuing time of need.
KSL posted a story on Tuesday, January 19th, with people who have the right idea on how to help. The article also has links for multiple agencies that are still accepting donations for Haiti. Please help if you can. http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=9394886
KSL posted a story on Tuesday, January 19th, with people who have the right idea on how to help. The article also has links for multiple agencies that are still accepting donations for Haiti. Please help if you can. http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=9394886
Monday, January 18, 2010
"I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King Jr.
It seemed fitting that my first post would be on the day we celebrate the amazing human rights activist, Martin Luther King Jr., which was never anything I had planned on doing.
It would be wrong to ignore a man that had the same dream that I do. Perhaps he is even the one who got me started on this dream when I was a child. No matter your race, color, your religion, or whatever else, we all deserve to have equal rights. We all deserve to live in a community where we are accepted and loved for the potential that we have and not for what has happened to us in our past.
Below are a few quotes the seemed to hit the message of Love’s Fire the most. I found the entire “I Have a Dream” speech at the following website: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
“With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”
“And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last”
It would be wrong to ignore a man that had the same dream that I do. Perhaps he is even the one who got me started on this dream when I was a child. No matter your race, color, your religion, or whatever else, we all deserve to have equal rights. We all deserve to live in a community where we are accepted and loved for the potential that we have and not for what has happened to us in our past.
Below are a few quotes the seemed to hit the message of Love’s Fire the most. I found the entire “I Have a Dream” speech at the following website: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
“With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”
“And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last”
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