Gaia: JOY SOULutions: Enjoy, Share & Inspire - JOY of The Week/Month - Remembrance of My/Your Week

Re: Remembering with Good Deeds - More on 9/11

http://joybringer.gaia.com — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:08:06 GMT

There are so many ways to commemorate & remember. Why not with charity & good deeds?
Here are some good ieas shared in the article below.

In 9/11 remembrance, a turning to good deeds

by Alexandra Marks

On Sept. 11, Jacob Sundberg of San Antonio has pledged to make eye contact and smile at everyone he meets. Kaitlin Ulrich will bring goody baskets to the police and fire departments in and around Philadelphia. And 100 volunteers from New York – 9/11 firefighters and family members among them – are going to Groesbeck, Texas, to rebuild a house destroyed by a tornado last December.

This is a minute sampling of the hundreds of thousands of people who have pledged to memorialize those killed on 9/11 by doing something good for others.

The heroic acts of all those killed trying to save others that September morning has spawned a growing grass-roots movement. The goal is to ensure that future generations remember not just the horror of the attacks, but also the extraordinary outpouring of humanity during the days, weeks, and months that followed.

"It was the worst possible day imaginable, and in some ways, a remarkable day, too, in the way in which people responded," says David Paine, cofounder of myGoodDeed.org. "We need to rekindle the way we came together in the spirit of 9/11: It would be almost as much a tragedy to lose that lesson."

Sept. 11 has inspired dozens of philanthropic efforts – from groups dedicated to building memorials to foundations designed to improve education in the Middle East. But myGoodDeed has a more universal goal: to turn 9/11 into a day dedicated to doing good – from small, simple things like Lisa Scheive's pledge to help stranded turtles cross the road in Pompano Beach, Fla., to lifesaving efforts, such as John Feal's decision in New York to donate one of his kidneys to help a seriously ill 9/11 worker.

The idea has been endorsed by members of Congress, and at myGoodDeed's urging, President Bush for the first time this year included a call for volunteering in his annual 9/11 proclamation.

After major disasters, Americans have historically tapped a deep reserve of compassion and reached out to others. But in the months and years that follow, those compassionate and civic urges tend to recede. Studies at Harvard's Saguaro Seminar on Civic Engagement in America found that in as few as five months after 9/11, most Americans had gone back to their daily lives and were not more engaged as they said they'd hoped to be. Part of the goal of turning 9/11 into a national day of service is to remind Americans of the inherent joy of giving and to hopefully spur volunteering and charitable acts throughout the year.

"I don't know of any research that's been done on one day of service, but studies have shown that people who do volunteering in high school are more likely to volunteer throughout their lives," says Thomas Sander, executive director of the Saguaro Seminar.

The idea of turning 9/11 into a day of service, charity, and good deeds came from the family and friends of one man: Glenn Winuk, a volunteer fireman and lawyer who worked a block and a half from the World Trade Center. After he helped evacuate his Broadway law offices, he grabbed a medic's bag and ran toward the smoke pouring from the South Tower. That's where his remains were found after the towers fell. Mr. Paine and Glenn's brother Jay had been friends for years. They decided that turning 9/11 into a day of service was best way to memorialize Glenn.

"It completely reflects the way my brother lived his life, and it also specifically reflects how he died," says Mr. Winuk, myGoodDeed.org cofounder. "He laid his life on the line for other people that day."

In 2002, Paine and Winuk sent e-mails to friends and family and suggested they do a good deed, such as donate a day's pay on 9/11. Then the idea evolved, and they founded myGoodDeed.org. In 2004, 100,000 visited their website and pledged to do a good deed on 9/11. This year, those pledging number more than 250,000.

"A lot of people don't know what to do on 9/11," says Paine. "This hits people in their heart and their soul. It connects with something that's fundamental."

Re: Remembrance of My/Your Week

http://joybringer.gaia.com — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 00:00:16 GMT

Thank You Princess and Barin!

And here's to more joy/s this and every other week!

Re: Remembrance of My/Your Week - More on 9/11

http://barin.gaia.com — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 13:32:51 GMT

The Sky And the Earth

The Sky
And the Earth
Aspire to touch
And embrace each other
With Love.

On request by Joy Bringer, I bring this Joy.
But I am sorry for the delay, due to some extraneous reasons.
Originally, this was posted by me in my Blog on 11-09-2006, and there have been 4(four) valuable and priceless comments by Zaadsters Catemurray, Diana, Kari and Leendert. My thanks to them and also to Joy Bringer.

Barin
14-09-2006

Re: Remembrance of My/Your Week - More on 9/11

http://lovejasmine.gaia.com — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 19:43:53 GMT

Re: Remembrance of My/Your Week - More on 9/11

http://joybringer.gaia.com — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 14:49:55 GMT

Thank you Wendy and Christopher for sharing and appreciating.

We live in memorable times indeed where each moment, day and year unfold so unexpectedly and miraculously. We go through valleys of sorrow and peaks of joy and we learn, grow and live to enjoy and share the journey...

And to continue the sequence of wonderful tributes here's a great poetic anthology from a somehwat unlikely source - about.com

Poems After the Attack. "This collection comes to you now, five years later, accompanied by the same wish it has carried since we first posted it: In grief, anger, consternation, confusion or resolve, we hope these poems offer you comfort, clarity or grace.

Most of the poems in this anthology were written on or immediately after September 11, 2001 -- but each anniversary since then, poets around the world have thought back to that day & written poems that recreate its events or explore them from the longer perspective afforded by the years we’ve lived since that date. Witness these poems, looking back:

from The Times (UK):
“Poem for 9/11, by the laureate in waiting,” by Richard Brooks, Arts Editor, about the new 9/11 poem written by Simon Armitage (commissioned by British tv network Five), “Out of the Blue” (2006)
from The New Yorker:
“When the Towers Fell,” by Galway Kinnell (written in 2002, audio reading posted 2006)
from National Public Radio:
“9/11 (with Allen Ginsberg in mind),” by Andrei Codrescu (2002)
also from National Public Radio:
“9/11,” by Robert Pinsky (2002)

And 3 more sources if you want to go deeper down memory lane...
The September 11 Digital Archive
September 11 Web Archive
September 11 News.com

Re: Remembrance of My/Your Week

http://wendyssunrise.gaia.com — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 05:04:40 GMT

Hello,
I would like to share one of about 8 poems that came flowing forth shortly
after 9/11. In collaboration with a very magical soul, whose birthday falls
on 9/11....here is:

In These Noblest of Times

On a bright late Summers' morn'
Plummeting out of the sky
And into our hearts
A glavanizing and unifying spirit was born
In these noblest of times.

Anguished souls and bodies torn apart
Forever seared within our minds and heart
Set our resolve to the task at hand
United and strong, together on this Earth we stand
In these noblest of times.

No matter the length nor breadth of the arduous task ahead
What is right and true
At the end of our time
Will steadfastly shine through
In these noblest of times.

Unfathomable depths of courage and strength
Walk hand in hand with unspeakable pain and sorrow
Searching and seeking, on and on through the morrow
Praying for once more
Life's loves and joys with family and friends to follow

On 9/11, the world as we knew it was ripped apart
Yet rather than dwelling deep within the 911 Emergency
With God's Grace and love, we will Emerge 'n See a brighter future soon to be
In these, noblest of times.

(c) September 14, 2001 - Wendy Nelson......Michael Miller (whose insightful
"911 Emergency - 9/11 Emerge 'n See" idea inspired this poem)

Thank you and Bless all those affected by 9/11 ......never to forget

Peace and Blessings,
Wendy

Re: Remembrance of My/Your Week

http://lovejoy.gaia.com — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 04:53:55 GMT

A truly wonderful excursion through the valley of sorrow, Darina.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Christopher

Remembrance of My/Your Week

http://joybringer.gaia.com — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 04:20:33 GMT

“He who has not looked on Sorrow will never see Joy.” ~ Kahlil Gibran ~

It is a different week. With things to remember more than to enjoy…

So I will commemorate those. Feel free to share and commemorate yours here.

An end of a memorable career.
An end of a memorable life.
An end of a 5-year mourning of many more…

A speech - Agassi's Farewell to professional tennis.
2 poems. One dedicated to 9/11, the other to the tragic death of Steve Irwin.
Thanks to Damon and Jared for posting them in the Empowered by Poetry pod.
And several movies…

So here goes.

Agassi Goodbye Speech at the US Open 00:55

Andre Agassi: ”The scoreboard said I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found. And over the last 21 years, I have found loyalty. You have pulled for me on the court and also in life. I've found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed – sometimes even in my lowest moments.

“And I've found generosity. You have given me your shoulders to stand on to reach for my dreams – dreams I could have never reached without you. Over the last 21 years, I have found you and I will take you and the memory of you with me for the rest of my life. Thank you.”

A POEM WORTH READING…

Her hair was up in a pony tail,

her favorite dress tied with a bow.

Today was Daddy’s Day at school,

and she couldn’t wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her,

that she probably should stay home.

Why the kids might not understand,

if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid; she knew just what to say.

What to tell her

classmates of why he wasn’t there today.

But still her mother worried,

for her to face this day alone.

And that was why once again,

she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school

eager to tell them all.

About a dad she never sees;

a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet.

Children squirming impatiently,

anxious in their seats

One by one the teacher called a student from the class.

To introduce

their daddy, as seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,

every child turned to stare.

Each of them was searching,

for a man who wasn’t there.

“Where’s her daddy at?”

she heard a boy call out.

“She probably doesn’t have one,”

another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,

she heard a daddy say,

“Looks like another deadbeat dad,

too busy to waste his day.”

The words did not offend her,

as she smiled up at her Mom.

And looked back at her teacher,

who told her to go on.

And with hands behind her back,

slowly she began to speak.

And out from the mouth of a child,

came words incredibly unique.

“My Daddy couldn’t be here,

because he lives so far away.

But I know he wishes he could be,

since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,

I wanted you to know.

All about my daddy,

and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories

he taught me to ride my bike.

He surprised me with pink roses,

and taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes,

and ice cream in a cone.

And though you cannot see him.

I’m not standing here alone.

“Cause my daddy’s always with me,

even though we are apart

I know because he told me,

he’ll forever be in my heart”

With that, her little hand reached up,

and lay across her chest.

Feeling her own heartbeat,

beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,

her mother stood in tears.

Proudly watching her daughter,

who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love

of a man not in her life.

Doing what was best for her,

doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down,

staring straight into the crowd.

She finished with a voice so soft,

but its message clear and loud.

“I love my daddy very much,

he’s my shining star.

And if he could, he’d be here,

but heaven’s just too far

You see he was a firefighter

and died just this past year

When airplanes hit the towers

and taught Americans to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes,

it’s like he never went away.”

And then she closed her eyes,

and she saw him there that day.

And to her mothers amazement,

she witnessed with surprise

A room full of daddies and children,

all starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them,

who knows what they felt inside.

Perhaps for merely a second,

they saw him at her side.

“I know you’re with me Daddy,”

to the silence she called out.

And what happened next made believers,

of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,

for each of their eyes had been closed.

But there on the desk beside her,

was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,

by the love of her shining star.

And given the gift of believing,

that heaven is never too far.

They say it takes a minute to find a special

person, an hour to appreciate them,

a day to love them, but then an entire

life to forget them.

THE CROCODILES ARE CRYING

Endless visions fill my head – this man – as large as life

And instantly my heart mourns for his angels and his wife

Because the way I see Steve Irwin – just put everything aside

It comes back to his family – it comes back to his pride

His animals inclusive – Crikey – light the place with love!

Shine his star with everything he fought to rise above

The crazy-man of Khaki from the day he left the pouch

Living out his dream and in that classic ‘Stevo’ crouch

Exploding forth with character and redefining cheek

It’s one thing to be honoured as a champion unique

It’s one thing to have microphones and spotlight cameras shoved

It’s another to be taken in and genuinely loved

But that was where he had it right – I guess he always knew

From his fathers’ modest reptile park and then Australia Zoo

We cringed at times and shook our heads – but true to natures call

There was something very Irwin in the make up of us all

Yes the more I care to think of it – the more he had it right

If you’re going to make a difference – make it big and make it bright!

Yes - he was a lunatic! Yes - he went head first!

But he made the world feel happy with his energetic burst

A world so large and loyal that it’s hard to comprehend

I doubt we truly count the warmth until life meets an end

To count it now I say a prayer with words of inspiration

May the spotlight shine forever on his dream for conservation

…My daughter broke the news to me – my six year old in tears

It was like she’d just turned old enough to show her honest fears

I tried to make some sense of it but whilst her Dad was trying

His little girl explained it best…she said “The crocodiles are crying”

Their best mate’s up in heaven now – the crocs up there are smiling!

And as sure as flowers, poems and cards and memories are piling

As sure as we’ll continue with the trademarks of his spiel

Of all the tributes worthy – he was rough…but he was real

As sure as ‘Crikey!’ fills the sky

I think we’ll miss ya Steve…goodbye

RUPERT McCALL 2006

Thanks to all of you for your shared feelings and prayers about Steve Irwin in my two blog postings and the pods. As a last tribute, I posted a slide show in his memory on my profile and several additional photos and visual haikus in my photo gallery.

I also recieved these 2 amazing video tributes - - one contributed by David, the other one by J.K. that are worth seeing if you have not done it already.

May he rest in peace and inspire us for ages…

Also you have probably seen enough of movies and documentaries dedicated to 9/11, but if you have not seen this one, it may be the right time to do it now. You will see why.

Loose Change - Louder Than Words llc 1 hr 29 min 23 sec - Aug 16, 2006
www.loosechange911.com
Loose Change is a documentary written and directed by Dylan Avery which presents an alternative explanation of events during the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks. The film attempts to compensate for the perceived inadequacy of government investigations and the 9/11 Commission Report. It alleges that the attacks were not the result of terrorism but a series of cleverly executed events carried out by the US government.

And since I do not want to end on a sad note - check out Monday9am.tv's new short movie by Nic Askew (who susprise surprise happened to be a fellow Zaadzster known as Nic http://monday9am.zaadz.com/ ) - 'hello yellow brick road' starred Vivienne Mee

And if that is not enough, I left the BEST for last - you can get plenty more inspiration at
Inspiration-News: Video Podcast - “sit back, relax, and enjoy refreshing good news from around the globe, broadcast every Thursday on the Internet, by watching Inspiration-News offered by Sri Chinmoy's web site - http://www.srichinmoy.org/

“The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.”
~ Kahlil Gibran ~