Last week, I was laying on the couch upstairs talking to one of my best friends. We were talking about facebook and how interesting it is to 'catch up' with people by just looking at their pages. I was telling her, laughingly, that someone had told me they were really thankful for my positivity on facebook. They had said that so many people are negative and I looked right at my friend and said, "Really? I haven't noticed anyone negative on facebook." She stopped laughing with me, looked at me like I had fallen quickly off the turnip truck, and said, "Seriously? For real?" I looked at her, taken aback from her response and stated that I really didn't notice people be negative on facebook. She shook her head and we went back to talking about other "important" stuff.
However, this past week I have really wondered about that whole concept. I think I might really wear some rose colored glasses on occasion. Now, don't get me wrong. Working at CASA does not allow one to go through life thinking that everything is coming up roses. There is true evil in the world. Kids are abused. People abuse themselves. The world has major atrocities going on. I totally understand that and understand the gravity of the situations. However, I am also someone who sees our glass as close to full instead of half-empty. Granted we have so much more to put it in to make it overflow, but isn't life a work in progress? I believe in the good of people...especially people I know.
Today, I was at the KSPR 33 Newsroom getting ready for an interview for our Run for a Child event on Saturday. Another one of the guests was sitting next to me and I shook her hand and introduced myself. She looked at me and said, "We are facebook friends." Um...that is when I knew, 1) I am officially stressed out because 2) I said "really!?" What a doofus I am sometimes. When she told me who she was I was like, duh Matt. You actually KNOW her and what a nimrod you look like now. Anyway, we started talking about facebook and how it can be used as a vehicle for good. Her example was how a prayer chain was started on facebook and how many people were praying within hours! How amazing is that?! I mean, think about it. One post can go viral in such a short time. Fortunately, for all the 'bad' posts that get attention, there are so many more out there promoting positive thoughts, grateful people, and just a sense that things are okay.
Even after all of this, I have not went on my news feed looking for the bad. I choose not to do that. In fact, I am not too concerned about seeing too many bad posts even if I did. I don't have negative facebook friends. Seriously. You may look at my page and think, "right Matt...you know all of these people and they are all saints..." Well. I have to say, I don't just 'friend' anyone. Seriously, if the devil requested me as a friend, I would look at the mutual friends and realize we don't have anyone in common (well, maybe my sister, but she has to be my friend...I can't really 'unfriend' her, as that would be in bad taste. Sorry Misty. Just had to throw you in there for a little giglle!) Truly, though. Check out my friends. See how great they actually are. Most of the posts I read are informative, jovial, thought provoking, and all around enjoyable.
After a couple weeks of messaging almost everyone I know asking for help for my cause, I have seen the awesome giving nature of those who I am fond of and with who I am friends. Amazing people I say: Amazing People!
So, the next time you are down and out. The next time you think that facebook is just a bunch of blah-say and down-and-out people, check out my friends. I promise...they rock this world. They are the most giving people I have ever known. They give of their hearts, their pockets, and their lives. Whatever they have and can give, they give to others. Unemployed, underemployed, students, self-made individuals, musicians, artists, lawyers, politicians, Christians, Agnostics, straights, gays, kids, adults, men, women...the list goes on and on. I am not here to judge anyone by a label. I am here to know them by their fruits. And, I will be the one to tell you what a fruitful bunch of people they are...YOU are.
If you are reading this, it is not because you found my random blog online. You are reading it because you are somehow connected to the author. That means this blog is about YOU. Everything you have read is applicable to you and I am a better person because I have been blessed to have YOU in my life.
Thank you very much for everything you do to make my world, our world, a better place. Many blessings.
Peace.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
August Rush
You know I often talk about how you can make a difference. How the little things you do can make a change. Well...today is no different.
In fact, I was led to watch a movie yesterday, while I was sick on the couch, recommended by someone special. In any case...the name of the movie was August Rush. If you have not watched it yet, I highly recommend doing it, and doing it soon. Excellent movie with an excellent storyline.
I am going to post the final rhapsody on facebook in just a little bit so that you can listen to it as well. When you do, imagine that a 12 year old boy wrote the music. Imagine that a child, who grew up with nothing, had something so special inside of him and because of the grace of God he was able to find his way to share his gifts and talents with the world.
The most awesome thing to take away from this is that it doesn't have to only be the grace of God that gets someone there. It can be an opportunity provided by you, by me, by our friends, our neighbors. I go back to my job, as I tend to do because I share that which I know best. These kids are in situations that many of us can nary imagine. However, who among us knows if that child who has been abused is the next child prodigy? The next Beethoven, the next Abraham Lincoln, the next Einstein, or the next Shakespeare? Yet, each moment we let pass that we do not make a change, we risk that gift being neglected. Every second we let go on by is a second that may be the difference in the music being shared and silence encompassing a life...a life meant to ring out.
I can't express my gratitude toward those who volunteer of their time and talents and resources to make a difference in the lives of those around us. I can only say that each of them give a voice to someone who needs that extra hand. They provide the instrument that will enable the next Beethoven to write a beautiful symphony. They give the courage to speak up and lead no matter what the final cost. They help plant the seeds that can grow into knowledge that could help our future generations. They enable the writer to have the pen that can share a sonnet that will last for lifetimes to come.
Our volunteers make a difference. You may not see it today, maybe not tomorrow. The impression that we make in the lives of others through giving of ourselves, selflessly and with a humble spirit is an impression that will be left for longer than any of us could ever know.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. The world is a better place because you have given. The world will be able to play, lead, believe and write because YOU made it possible. You are the difference. Keep making the difference - everyday.
Peace.
In fact, I was led to watch a movie yesterday, while I was sick on the couch, recommended by someone special. In any case...the name of the movie was August Rush. If you have not watched it yet, I highly recommend doing it, and doing it soon. Excellent movie with an excellent storyline.
I am going to post the final rhapsody on facebook in just a little bit so that you can listen to it as well. When you do, imagine that a 12 year old boy wrote the music. Imagine that a child, who grew up with nothing, had something so special inside of him and because of the grace of God he was able to find his way to share his gifts and talents with the world.
The most awesome thing to take away from this is that it doesn't have to only be the grace of God that gets someone there. It can be an opportunity provided by you, by me, by our friends, our neighbors. I go back to my job, as I tend to do because I share that which I know best. These kids are in situations that many of us can nary imagine. However, who among us knows if that child who has been abused is the next child prodigy? The next Beethoven, the next Abraham Lincoln, the next Einstein, or the next Shakespeare? Yet, each moment we let pass that we do not make a change, we risk that gift being neglected. Every second we let go on by is a second that may be the difference in the music being shared and silence encompassing a life...a life meant to ring out.
I can't express my gratitude toward those who volunteer of their time and talents and resources to make a difference in the lives of those around us. I can only say that each of them give a voice to someone who needs that extra hand. They provide the instrument that will enable the next Beethoven to write a beautiful symphony. They give the courage to speak up and lead no matter what the final cost. They help plant the seeds that can grow into knowledge that could help our future generations. They enable the writer to have the pen that can share a sonnet that will last for lifetimes to come.
Our volunteers make a difference. You may not see it today, maybe not tomorrow. The impression that we make in the lives of others through giving of ourselves, selflessly and with a humble spirit is an impression that will be left for longer than any of us could ever know.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. The world is a better place because you have given. The world will be able to play, lead, believe and write because YOU made it possible. You are the difference. Keep making the difference - everyday.
Peace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)