Recap: This Week's Good Stuff (12-30-12 thru 01-05-13)

Sometimes the news is just so overwhelming. Stories about violence, crime, poverty, corruption, hatred, and discrimination stir my emotions and threaten to hold me prisoner in my own home, safe in my bed, curled up under the covers, refusing to participate fully in life.  Then, just when I find myself succumbing to the temptation to feel helpless and incompetent, I remember that many people are working diligently to create a better quality of life for themselves, their families, their neighbors, and the world at large.  These are the stories I wish to share with you so that you, too, can find the courage and strength you need to go out and create your own stories of inspiration, compassion, and love.  I hope you enjoy reading about the Good Stuff as much as I do!

First and foremost, your response to Dr. Cheryl Fogarty’s story about her Labor of Love Project was absolutely amazing. So many of you found her story both heartwarming and inspiring. The only thing I want to add is a reminder that if Cheryl – who is a successful, busy physician - can find the time and the resources she needs to do the work she is doing in Haiti, the rest of us can find time to seek out our bliss, too.

While trolling Facebook (alas, something I do FAR too often) a few days ago, I came across this link that a friend posted. It is Buzzfeed’s pictorial summary of heartwarming things people did for each other this past year.

Also circulating on Facebook in my neck of the woods is the “recruiting” video below that was produced by Leggett & Platt, a Fortune 500 Company headquartered right here in the Joplin area.  This video presents just a few of the highlights that make the Four-State area such a wonderful place to live.

I subscribe to a number of blogs and newsletters (perhaps this is an effort to boost my self-esteem by finding my “in-box” full whenever I log on to the internet?), and frequently I gain new perspective from these readings. One blog I recently subscribed to is “Patheos”, a daily reflection blog that provides heartwarming stories combined with scriptural passages and/or a daily prayer.  This little piece captured my attention and reminded me how one small act of kindness can make a big difference in a person’s life.

For all you activists out there, I recently found a site, Moms Rising, which endeavors to promote causes important to women and families.  Some of their accomplishments include mobilizing moms (and dads) across the nation to contact their congressional representatives regarding the Family Leave Act, making a significant impact on Congress’s decision to pass “Fiscal Cliff” legislation, helping stop the meat industry from using “pink slime” in its beef products, and preventing cuts to Medicaid, just to name a few. Moms Rising is an online community of over 1 million members, and was named a top website for women by Forbes in 2012. If you are a mom (or know someone who is), I highly recommend you check out their site and see what all the hubbub is about.

Finally, for my female readers (men, don’t worry, when I come across Good Stuff for you I will be sure and post about it, as well!), I received info about a call for submissions for an upcoming anthology. Life coach and literary editor, Cami Ostman, is seeking submissions for her latest project, She Writes Her Life: Women Explore How Writing Has Informed Their Identity Development. This anthology will include prose essays and non-fiction pieces written by women that illustrate how writing has shaped their identity and perspective in life. Stories or essays, which should be no longer than 3,500 words, can be submitted through submittable.com. The $25 submission fee covers evaluation and printing costs, as well as contributes to helping fund a pro bono publishing project at She Writes Press.

Phew, it’s been a busy, Good Week this week! I’ll be on the lookout for more good stories to share for next week – if you have something you would like me to share, please feel free to leave a comment or email me at sinceyouasked@gmail.com.  Enjoy your week!