Joyfulcrum

so neato

2010-08-12T04:23:00.000-07:00

i eat stories like this UP!

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0810/NH_Dem_wishes_Palin_ill.html?showall

seriously, what a neat thing to happen. imagine the joy in that family right now and the cool stories they will be able to tell for years and the happiness they will share. that's the kinda stuff that makes the world go 'round.

and this is the kinda thing i hunt for everywhere. i know the trade deficit is high; i'm aware that the united states is in existential trouble; i am apprised of the desperation around me. but THIS kind of story carves through the misery.

so pleasant.

wisdom for the ages

2010-08-10T03:01:00.000-07:00

i have never been one to automatically assign a level of wisdom to somebody simply because they are old. i have met many wise young people. so i post this one simply because it's a neat way to recognize the contributions of our wiser aged population.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/09/AR2010080904177.html?wprss=rss_health

but it does pay to have a mentor: somebody to rely on for wisdom when you have trouble. find some person close to you whom you can trust and ask them when you need help. i promise they will give it to you, if for no other reason than because you asked and they want to be a part of your life. plus, your showing that level of respect will be seen as a great honor and they will focus on the help they give.

i have a mentor who i have not spoken to in a very long time and i am gonna get in touch with him today. he has been missing from my life and i want his wisdom to reach me and my thoughts again. his name is darrell pehr and he is one of the greatest people i know.

find yours, and you will unlock pieces of your potential you never knew existed.

just like you

2010-08-04T03:25:00.000-07:00

what do you like to do?

we all have hobbies and pursuits and things we love spending our time on, and in most of those cases people around us have no idea why we are pursuing the things we enjoy. whether it's running or lifting weights or fishing or coaching, those activities dominate our experiences and daily lives.

when those experiences cross over into inspiration is where i get excited. reading about people who inspire others is one of my favorite pastimes, and i enjoy finding stories about folks who have changed their environments. like this family, whose passion for running is without peer. this is the kinda stuff that brings me joy:

http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2010/aug/03/runnings-family/

i hunt high and low for these stories, and while they are easy to find not everybody gravitates to this kind of news. there is a market for it, i believe, and we should all start finding some good news to follow. i have had enough of politics and acrimony and nastiness.

i made a decision to leave all that garbage behind and do things differently. from now on, my goals are to find the silver linings in everything i can. with the beat-down world we live in, i know it will be hard. but it's attainable. i want it and i need it to make sense of things.

maybe i can change the environment around me in such a way where i build something long-lasting, maybe i will meet like-minded people who share my passions and joy, maybe i will find that thing that has eluded me for so long. who knows?

but here goes ...

the success is best

2010-08-03T03:44:00.000-07:00

you know, i love reading success stories. one of my criticisms of DIY programs and weight-loss programs like "the biggest loser" is that people use them as a surrogate for their own demands. meaning: if you need to build a backyard barbeque, build it; if you want to lose 30 pounds, get off your ass and go lose 'em. don't sit there and watch somebody else do it!

so success stories inspire me to continue on the path i have chosen. i enjoy working out nowadays to the point where i would rather have a gym membership than cable TV and i go work out almost every day. therefore, when i see people who use that tactic to get back into their 'skinny clothes' it makes me happy.

for the record, i detest yahoo news' regular reports. their take on politics and national news is garbage and their sports coverage is lame. BUT their health and fitness reporting is significantly better than the average site. i love their little articles on eating right and exercise, and they have the largest number of success stories anywhere.

it's inspiring. like this one.

http://health.yahoo.net/articles/weight-loss/better-body-after-baby

so if you have some issues you need to tackle seek out the inspirational stories that edify you and keep you on the right track. there are plenty out there, and some can even be found on so-called 'mainstream' websites.

get moving!

a passionate belief

2010-08-01T11:22:00.000-07:00

you have to be gutsy to stand out as a believer in indonesia, a predominantly muslim country with an ever-increasing number of anti-Christian zealots and attacks. so it is with great joy that i read about places like this where belief in the Gospel is on the rise.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1982223,00.html

it makes me take a long look at my own devotion. how passionate am i; do i have that spark that brings people closer to the Word? how can i help make the world a little sweeter to deal with and understand?

it's just knowing that these folks are out there that makes me happy to be part of His family. and while the anti-Christian murders and attacks continue, these strong-willed, faithful servants keep sowing the seeds.

Chi-Rho.

the Way the Truth and the Life ...

2010-07-31T09:02:00.000-07:00

i never get tired of stories like this one. it makes me so happy to know that my faith changes not only lives, but hearts as well.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/faith-stops-florida-robbery/story?id=11288067

Chi-Rho

here is an update and video link to that story: http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/religion-and-the-robber-21168339

invention and innovation move society forward

2010-07-31T03:30:00.000-07:00

now, here is a way to help people that i bet NOBODY ever thought of ...

http://www.prurgent.com/2010-07-27/pressrelease109530.htm

how cool is that? i love the inventive mind, and i am proud of my son when he arrives at new ideas as he is ruminating on solutions to problems. it makes me happy to see people finding ways to help others, too.

and this is one of those times when the two are harmoniously linked into one great story. reminds me or south mississippi after katrina. blue tarps everywhere.

yesterday's workout data: swam 1,200 meters in the morning (30 minutes) and ran 5K in the afternoon. a one-hour workout, and i need to get up earlier in the morning to accommodate 1,500 meters swimming.

sofar today's workout data: ran a 5K in a personal best time of 25:01. i plan on swimming later this afternoon.

how to meet people

2010-07-29T04:07:00.000-07:00

so let's say you're one of those folks who doesn't know how or where to meet new people. where do you go?

my advice is to check the newsreels on google or yahoo to find stories about volunteers helping out somewhere. then, find a similar group (which shares your interests) and locate them in your county or city.

habitat for humanity is everywhere, and other organizations -- like this one that sews and creates blankets for children -- are probably somewhere in your hometown. truth is, all you have to do is type in a few simple keywords and you'll find somebody who does something you enjoy, too. then, you simply tighten the dragnet to your own hometown.

http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/07-27-2010/project-linus-being-%E2%80%98reborn%E2%80%99-community-christian

chances are, you will find people of a similar mindset who share your passions and you'll fit right in (without all the uncomfortable "so what are YOU interested in?" types of questions, you'll already know what to talk about and the friendships grow from there). it's pretty easy, like i just typed "fisherman charity" into google and found this up-to-date story from Houston: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2010/07/ceviche_throwdown_hauling_in_a.php

then, i typed in the same words with "jacksonville" in the title, and found this: http://www.kayakanglermag.com/blog/buzz-bait/593-jax-classic-wins-big-430-kayakers-42000-for-charity.html

it's a little ways from my house, but i bet if i went the next time there was an event, or if i called the organization and asked for some local names they would help me find a way to help out. it's just that easy to locate cool people who are just like you!

like i said, there is good news everywhere. you just have to jump through a few hoops to get there.

from the young to the old

2010-07-28T03:52:00.000-07:00

one of the things i enjoy about running is that now that i am older i can do it much easier. that may sound stupid, but the fact is that when i was a young man i wanted to sprint, sprint, sprint everywhere.

i was remarkably fast, and so i used my God-given talent to race by people in football and soccer as often as possible, as well as on the track. still do, when the event calls for it.

but nowadays, with a running regime as part of my exercise, i love running long distances. treadmill running is my favorite, but i run outdoors when the weather slacks up down here in Fla.

all that said, i am nowhere NEAR as fast as this woman. she ran a 10K in the masters track championships in just under 40 minutes. my best time is probably closer to 50 minutes, although i never raced anybody that far. and she's 48!

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/jul/27/porter-chases-down-10k-masters-track-championship/

so i go from honoring the young (a middle school track long-distance star) yesterday to the old today. whatever set you belong in, seeing people perform well in their respective athletic endeavors is motivational.

seek that motivation and look high and low for your momentum. you'll find it, because cool people exist all over the place!

2010-07-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

kids.

how many people remember what it was like to be a kid? for those who kept track of their press clippings and records and accomplishments, it is easy to take a quick walk down memory lane. but for those who just remember and try to recall their glory days, it's a little bit more diffocult to recollect times and places.

so it's nice to see a middle school athlete getting recognition. this kid will possibly keep this fine story in his scrapbpook or on his computer forever. i just have so much fun seeing kids get some good attention for a change. these kids work hard to become the best, and how often is it that they become world famous in the meantime.

so check out his story, he's a star in the making. but enjoy it nonetheless. i did.

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/grayslake/sports/highschools/2538476,grayslake-bruder-072910-s1.article

getting out and getting happy

2010-07-26T03:44:00.000-07:00

i love to read somebody's work who is happy with what they're writing about!

seriously, i have read enough opinion-page whining about the state of the economy, the oil spill, the current occupant of the white house, the job market and everything that i NEED to see some good news and some joyful commentary.

even if it's not necessarily what i was looking for, i like to stumble upon stuff like this guy talking about a camping trip with his kids. why? because it reminds me of our camping trips and that makes me smile. i have the ability to live vicariously through other people, so long as what they say reminds me about a happy time in my life.

http://www.freep.com/article/20100726/COL22/7260366/1005/NEWS03/Ah-Nothing-like-the-Great-Outdoors

regardless, it's nice to see somebody get cranked up to write about some happy news and a paper with the smarts to give its people some creative freedom to do so.

old dogs and new tricks? easy peezy ...

2010-07-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

i useta laugh at the stories i would see on opinion and sports pages where men would describe themselves as "old" and talk about all the things they had to do to stay in shape and all the steps they'd lost since their "glory days."

who's laughing now, mr. parker?

the fact is, we have to work twice as hard (or so it seems) to stay in shape. but it's because we don't play nearly as much as we should (or used to when we were kids). i mean, like, seriously PLAY. goof around; throw water balloons at each other; play pranks; be a kid again.

so i have been looking for new and creative ways to amuse myself through exercise, and searching for exciting activities i mighta never tried before. swimming is my newest kick, and it goes right along with my attempt at biking, which i also enjoy.

i thought swimming would be boring, but i like it as much or more than i do running. it's cooler, builds muscle tone faster and is just as good for you. in fact, some say better.

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/19/health/la-he-swimming-20100719

that really made me smile.

today's workout data: plus, i set a personal best time in the 1,500 meters today at 33:30! the way i see it, if i compete against myself i will rarely lose. haha.

and an old dog can learn the proverbial new trick if he just opens himself up to new experiences.

get out there and move, people!

trauma and tragedy to happiness

2010-07-24T04:53:00.000-07:00

is it unusual to find joy after struggle? yes. is it unheard of? no.

sometimes, it takes years to find the things that make it all click and others, well, it just happens. but regardless, it's worth the while to hunt for the joy you need. so seek and seek and you will find, even if you have to dig and shovel and hunt and claw for it. it's worth it.

i really enjoyed this little story, and this woman reminds me of stories i read in the book "emotional intelligence." brain function is still such a new field, but this is an indication that it yields answers to people's difficulties each and every day.

http://www.ocregister.com/news/bachiero-259142-work-life.html

today's workout data: swam 2,000 meters in about 47:30. not bad for an amateur 41-year-old! really starting to love swimming alots.

friendships enrich life, extend days

2010-07-23T04:26:00.000-07:00

there are few people who "enjoy" being alone. like maybe that guy in 'what happens in vegas' who dumps cameron diaz (dummy) because she's "always on."

most folks need the company of others and their companionship enhances life. their company and understanding provide a way for us to talk about the things that matter. they are sounding boards for our feelings, which aren't always healthy.

so this story from toronto, canada (there are so many of these types of stories in the canadian news; they are such nice people, it seems) made me feel good.

http://www.healthzone.ca/health/yourhealth/agingwell/article/837950--friendships-mean-more-later-in-life-say-senior-women

it reminds me of a fact about my Nonie, who died when she was about 86 or 87 many years ago, just after my little girl was born. Nonie had only 1 regret in her life, so far as i can remember, and that was moving away from ohio in 1976.

she and my PaPa lived for many years in bradenton and then moved over by my parents on the east coast of florida after she had a stroke. but she regretted leaving ohio for one significant reason, she missed her friends and failed to make new ones of the same quality when she moved to bradenton.

it showed me how valuable close friends can be, and that's why i stay in touch with guys i've known since i was a kid: because i genuinely love them and need their presence in my life. most of us need that, especially as we get older and wiser. we learn to understand just how much they enrich our lives.

yesterday's workout: i swam for a full hour for the first time, covering 2,600 meters or so. an hour's swim is about 850 calories burned, so that made me feel great! i have a slightly pulled hamstring, which is keeping me offa the treadmill for the weekend; i need that thing to heal and it's been bugging me for a week or so.

you can find it, everywhere!

2010-07-22T03:48:00.000-07:00

some people hate competitive sports. others cannot stand to watch professional sports on TV. but i have found that watching professionals play competitive sports is a great way to embrace my inner kid. the very idea of "playing" for a living lights most guys up like a Christmas tree, and most of us would give up our right arms to be able to draw a paycheck from catching a baseball or shooting a basketball.

we can all find some joy in our pursuits, regardless of whether they are watched or participated, and i find joy in watching other people have fun. seriously, go to youtube or yahoo or google and look at their search engine and you can find so many examples of people having fun!

have you ever watched a group of people laughing -- at a bar or restaurant or a ballgame -- and found yourself laughing and/or smiling along with them? it's infectious, isn't it? well, you can find that everywhere.

so when you read too much news or watch too much TV or spend too much time dwelling on some issue or another, just bounce over to those sights and search something simple like: having fun. you'll be surprised at how often you come across stuff like this!

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/sow_experts/post/Footballer-unleashes-his-inner-cheerleader?urn=sow,257379

help from high places

2010-07-21T01:36:00.000-07:00

anytime i see people beseeching Almighty God for His help with earthly affairs, i stand up and take notice.

we need help for a variety of maladies, some major and some minor, and while i have never been one to seek guidance for trivial things one can always rely on God to solve all problems. if we trust and have faith, it moves mountains.

this story from the new york times talks about religious and state leaders seeking divine aid for the oil spill in the gulf, and while it starts out in that typically snarky nyt style (like all their other condescending stories about Christianity) it's still nice to see people recognizing God's authority this way.

whether you're part of the "couldn't hurt" crowd or you believe that God's hand guides us, this is a fine example of how southern communities are willing to kneel and pray for things they collectively need. and that's healthy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/28/us/28land.html

Yesterday's workout data section:

from now on i will be including my workout data from the day before. it's one of the things that brings me a great deal of joy and, from what i have heard, it inspires people. not that anybody is reading this blog, but here goes ...

yesterday's effort: i ran a 25:37 5K on the treadmill and swam 1,500 meters in about 35 minutes. i have incorporated swimming into my daily routines and feel great doing it! hour workouts burn about 1,000 calories or so, which makes me feel like i accomplished something. eats: my morning coffee, granola blueberry bar, 2 double stacks from wendy's, mike and ike's and a bowl of raising bran. i run so i can enjoy what i eat ... sue me.

for all super-runners, i run on a treadmill because i like it. it's low-impact and inside in the AC at the YMCA, so it makes for a more pleasant workout. i ain't here to torture myself; i'm here to get my heart beating for an hour straight. it's brought my BP down to 110/70 from being borderline hypertensive, so i am not gonna argue with success. you shouldn't either.

running community paces charitable field

2010-07-20T03:53:00.000-07:00

one of the things that i like best about america is our charitable nature. that, combined with the athletic heritage many of us enjoy, is a great testament to the kind of people and nation we are.

the reason i got into running the way i did was because of the people i met at races. i have only competed in a few, but the folks there are encouraging, enthusiastic, lighthearted, self-deprecating and a joy to be around. the events are almost invariably driven by some charity or another, and the people competing in them know they are doing a good thing while they get a little exercise.

so these running events (do they even call it 'jogging' anymore?) generate a great deal of activity and interest. many of them have some sort of theme, which makes them fun. i love 'em, and would enjoy competing in more (if i only had the money!).

you can find stories like this one everyday and in bunches. just type in "cahrity run" or "fun run" or anything else or go to active.com to find a list of events. these stories will brighten your day and encourage you to get off your backside and hit the track (or treadmill).

besides, who wants to read another story about the oil spill?

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x909200367/Tremont-Wheaton-runner-tops-field-in-most-fun-race-the-Main-Street-Mile

searching high and low for goodness

2010-07-19T03:39:00.001-07:00

i have found that when reading a bad headline that bums me out, i sometimes must seek a good headline to balance it (or replace it). for example, today on the drudge report there is a headline about a pair of twin toddlers drowning in a pool. that's the kind of news that makes me feel awful.

so instead of dwelling on the nature of the accident, where the girls managed to open the pool cover and fall in, i turned around and sought a story where somebody was SAVED from drowning. i was sure that one was out there.

and it was ... as a matter of fact, i found more than one. that's the nature of the world: amidst tumult and disaster there is goodness and light. you just have to hunt for it.

http://newsdurhamregion.com/news/article/158539

here's another:

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/pinellas/toddler-saved-from-drowning-in-hotel-pool-071210

it just goes to show that a cpr class can make all the difference in bringing somebody back from the brink. the world is an imperfect place and there is a great deal of suffering in it. but there is a lot of happiness, too.

opening up for others

2010-07-18T04:56:00.000-07:00

we just watched 'the blind side' movie, with sandra bullock (mm-hmmm) and what a sweet show! it reminded me of the stories we heard about people opening their homes to strangers after hurricane katrina.

for those who come to expect charity, it is hard to comprehend how scary it must be to welcome people into your house not knowing who they are. it's too bad that in many of these shows it's the HOSTS who are made to seem like they have ulterior motives when THEY are the ones taking the risks.

but in the end, no hollywood ending would be satisfied with a bludgeoned family of four, victimized by the whack job they were trying to assist. so you learn to expect that everything will turn out ok. not always first-round-pick-in-the-nfl ok, but satisfactory.

here's a story about an outreach program that gives young people a chance to get out of the city for awhile. i thought it was neat, because it provides a way for young people to not think the world revolves around them. often i have lamented the modern trend of self-esteem-building baloney that makes kids think they are the center of the universe. well, this expands their universe outward a little ...

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/the_intelligencer/the_intelligencer_news_details/article/27/2010/july/18/families-reunite-with-the-fresh-air-kids.html

loong vacation from the Blog

2010-07-17T06:47:00.000-07:00

i have been away for awhile, but i am BACK, baby.

it's fun to peruse facebook on other people's pages and see them reconnecting with their acquaintances from years ago. sometimes, it's a simple little 'hey' and others it's a loong drawn-out catching-up letter. it's sorta like evesdropping, i guess, but it makes me happy to see other people happy.

a name pops into your head and you wonder where 'that person' is right now. what they are doing; where they been; what their lives are like ... so you go a-hunting. when you find them, it lifts you up and you feel great knowing that person is still kicking around, same as you left 'em.

it all goes into the philosophy of finding -- in some cases DIGGING (or data mining) -- for JOY. it's easy when you put forth a little effort.

don't get me wrong, sometimes their lives change and people turn into dour sourpusses. you have to expect that from time to time. but mostly, people don't change all that much. and that stability gives us confidence that we can maintain a long-term relationship even when it's not that cohesive. the ease with which we pick up again and stay in touch is a testamant to our abilities to be friendly and have friends. if that doesn't give you a reason to be thrilled then i am not the person you need to be talking to ... you need a 'friend' with a couch in their office.

so go find 'em. they're out there, living their lives just as normal as when you left. and i bet they wonder where you are, too. make their day; find their names; reconnect.

Moved to action

2010-01-06T01:04:00.000-08:00

there are many times where people write about their experiences with a veiled admonishment to perform a certain activity that the writer expects us to undertake.

but oftentimes, when somebody explains their experience it is designed to encourage us to action AND explain the steps they took along the way -- sort of as a guidebook in the event that we are willing to do the same thing(s).

now, most of us don't like being told what to do, expecially if it's from a do-gooder who is touting their own goodness. but there are tons of examples where people simply are moved to action and -- in the event others are interested in the same path -- want to provide information to help others along the same way. this is one such piece:

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20100102/ARTICLES/1021001/1101/LIVING?Title=Commentary-Everyone-is-called-to-consider-adoption

this column, by a pastor in SC, will help serve as a guidebook for his hopeful adoption of an orphan. he explains it from a Biblical perspective, and will offer a periodic explanation of how he and his wife work their way through the adoption process. for those of you seeking to adopt, this might offer some guidance.

How Can I Help?

2010-01-05T05:48:00.000-08:00

tell me you've never asked this question and i will probably stop associating with you. anybody worth a diddly-dadgum has wondered how they can get more involved in their community and/or participating in a new activity and meeting new people.

heck, most of us LOVE ot kill two birds with one stone, whether it's community theatre or coaching or volunteering at the salvation army. if we love getting out and getting involved, we can also get exercise or learn a new skill. the options are endless, but where to look?

howsabout here?: http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fewhours/fun-runs.htm

this site centralizes information if you're interested in extending your exercise activities to the field of volunteerism. it's really cool; you run in these little events, get a great workout in the day of the event and meet new people all in the same process.

single men and women i know begrudge the lack of decent suitors wherever they live, and i have always suggested meeting people while volunteering. the quality of those individuals is usually exemplary, and they have good hearts, too.

so check it out, especially if you are into a new workout kick or just looking to get off your backside and move!

New Year's Resolutions

2010-01-03T04:27:00.000-08:00

every year, we expect more of ourselves. sometimes we fail, sometimes we succeed. but it's in the trying that i find joy.

i would much rather set the highest goals for myself and fail than to remain static and boring. i would certainly prefer to increase rather than decrease.

but here are some easy-to-achieve goals for parents of young children that match what i like to set for myself each year. thought you might like to see how similar the average parent's desires are to yours. this is courtesy of the newspaper in galveston.

http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=2d81a80ba95ae02f

for the record, my new year's resolution is to update this thing each day and work on my web site and book this year. plus, i am more focused on spanish in 2010. time to get busy!

Something neat is brewing

2009-12-21T06:16:00.001-08:00

now, this is a fabulous story.

the best donations, as the Bible says, are when "the left hand doesn't know what the right is doing" (loosely translated).

these are some of those cases, and it is the sort of thing that we all should copy (if we have the means). this is so memorable that i am sure it will stick with you for some time.

if the day ever comes when i can drop a gold coin into a kettle, i will.

http://www.trivalleycentral.com/articles/2009/12/21/trivalley_dispatch/news/doc4b27f048622e0214791884.txt

Veterans' day

2009-12-17T02:26:00.000-08:00

one of the most contentious elements of our current political debate is over who has the military's best interests at heart. there are those who say the troops should be brought home immediately and others who want to see them finish the tasks they have been sent overseas to fulfill.

without getting into that debate, it makes me smile when i see youths getting together to help veterans. this is so much different from the vietnam war, when troops returned home to scorn from malcontents embroiled in a political debate; not a gracious public thankful for the service of its soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.

so i much prefer this, especially at Christmastime. hope you like it, too.

http://www.ocregister.com/news/rancho-224159-veterans-items.html

Secret Santa

2009-12-14T03:05:00.000-08:00

now, this is a neat idea. america is one of the most innovative countries in the world, and i always like seeing my countrymen and women finding new ways to improve others' lives.

the idea that inspiration can be killed is a ridiculous notion, and these folks have found a way to help AND inspire people who use their service. for free, if i'm reading it correctly ...

the company helps families organize gift-giving. as families grow farther apart (geographically), something like this would make it all so much simpler. in any event, i wanted to make y'all aware of what was out there. seems like an easy way to streamline Christmas gift-giving for folks.

http://www.northjersey.com/shopping/Web_sites_abet_secret_Santa.html

Lighting the way

2009-12-11T03:40:00.001-08:00

who loves Christmas lights?

each year, people drift around their cities and neighborhoods to check out the light decorations on various homes. it brightens your day/night to see people's houses all dolled up with accoutrements and fancy light strings, doesn't it?

well now, this is a fantastic idea: helping people enjoy their lives right up to the last minute. i dowanna ruin the story for you, so check it out. what a wonderful organization!

http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2009/12/11/news/fw10hospice.txt

Inspiration in all its forms

2009-12-09T04:29:00.000-08:00

where do you get your inspiration?

some people rely on music, movies, books and public figures. others seek inspiration in nature, art, fashion or religion. the point is this: inspiration is all around you.

but more often than not, people are inspired by other people. i get inspired when i see an osprey carrying a catfish into an australian pine. i get inspired when i watch a little kid creating a piece of art with chalk on a sidewalk. but i get REALLY inspired when i hear a story about people overcoming disabilities.

this young man lifts his teammates to victory, despite his never having taken the athletic field. it was written by a good friend of mine, and he tells these stories often. expect to see his work here on a routine basis.

you never know when you are inspiring people; whether it's by helping an elderly lady put bags into her car, dropping some spare change into a salvation army kettle or jogging down the street. so it pays to keep your act together at all times (if possible).

this young man is outwardly inpirational, and i loved reading about him. i bet you will, too.

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091203/COLUMNISTS0306/912030319/1065

New school

2009-12-08T03:27:00.000-08:00

i never get tired of these stories.

i am a total sucker for students who donate their time and energy (and sometimes safety) to causes in foreign countries. having been to england, belgium and japan in my younger days, i can appreciate the value of travel, and, heck, i was in modernized countries! that made visiting more fun and still exposed me to other cultures simultaneously.

but THESE kids spent a busy week in liberia fixing kids' teeth, and that is special. i have a buddy who followed a church youth group to africa a couple of years back, and he had a life-changing experience during it. young people who volunteer to build churches or hospitals or take care of kids in third-world countries have my immediate admiration.

adults in america moan and gripe a great deal about the youths in america, how they're soft and pampered and not as tough as previous generations. well, i have heard many stories about military veterans serving in far-flung locations and doing their part, but my grandparents' generation -- for all its accomplishments -- didn't go overseas to do the things these young people do in near as great a numbers as today's generation.

for that, i am proud of the involvment of young adults like these folks from the oregon. they are a credit to this country and should be patted on the back as often as possible.

it's stuff like this that motivates me to get off my duff and do more for people, and i hope they inspire you the same way. kudos, kids!

http://www.lagrandeobserver.com/News/Local-News/To-Africa-with-love-ODS-dental-hygiene-students-put-their-skills-to-work-helping-children-in-Liberia

Sports fans

2009-12-04T03:31:00.001-08:00

as a lifelong florida resident, i am accustomed to the prevalence of football. it has a ubiquitous presence in the state, and dominates conversation and consciousness for prep athletes, collegians, fans and professionals for more than half of every year.

the big game this weekend between the florida gators and the alabama crimson tide weighs heavy on the mind of UF fans, for their national championship hopes may well rest on the outcome of that SEC title game in atlanta on saturday.

as an FSU fan, i am rooting for the Tide ... but i digress.

football fans pour their hopes and dreams into their favorite teams, and they passionately cross their fingers and spend their money traveling to games and hope for the successes on the field, which brings them joy. it serves as an extension of themselves, really, and they derive satisfaction (and some sadness) from the teams' pursuits.

but there are other athletes who play sports as a way out of their current circumstances. right or wrong, some kids play football, literally, to improve their lives. and the adults who coach some of these kids know that many of their futures may hinge on their athletic prowess.

so teams come from all over the country to compete in the pop warner championships, not too far away from me in lake buena vista, florida each year. and some of these teams -- after their invitations to the big event -- need help getting there. and the fans and parents of the kids do their best to accomodate the financial demands ... all so the kids have something to hope for and compete in.

this team was raising money to travel down here from new jersey so a bunch of young teenagers can have a shot at their own title. thanks to the reporter who cranked out this story about -- and on behalf of -- the team.

it's a noble pursuit, and the purest of all athletic activity: the desire to win on the biggest stage and improve yourself through victory. of the happiest moments of my life, i most often remember the victories first.

here's hoping this team not only makes it down here, but does its best in orlando. that, in itself, is a reward and a memory nobody can replace.

http://www.app.com/article/20091202/NEWS/912030335/1004/NEWS01&source=rss

Wedded bliss

2009-12-03T03:14:00.000-08:00

geez, i know y'all are about as sick as i am of the tiger woods story. we read so much about this stuff that it makes us wonder if ANYBODY stays together anymore.

well, perhaps they don't (at least not on average), but there are people who gracefully stride through life together without a care in the world. you know them; maybe they are family members who recently celebrated their 45th anniversary. or the couple down the street you know, who were married in 1950.

yes, they exist. but they get lost amidst the ugly news of celebrity divorce and famous-people transgressions. we should never forget that long-lasting love is not only possible, but common.

the point i am making, i guess, is that whenever you see this sorta thing and it gets you down -- even a little bit -- go data mining for a good story about successful marriages and couples who have stayed together. good news is out there; you just have to dig a little bit.

here are a couple i found lickety-split this morning while i was down visiting my parents. these stories are not unlike all married couples: where they met, the awkwardness, etc. and it's so nice that the reporters took the time to write about them. enjoy ...

http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/Sadie-and-Ted-celebrate-60.5864855.jp

http://www.chichester.co.uk/mid-sussex-news/Burgess-Hill-couple-celebrate-60.5860344.jp

A Marvelous Legacy

2009-12-01T02:53:00.001-08:00

i stand by the notion that the best indicator of what kind of person you were is the crowd at your funeral. now, don't get me wrong; i am not talking about famous people. i am talking about folks like this softball coach from beloit, wisc.

when you imagine the number of lives this man touched and read the story about his passing, it's humbling. there are so many fixtures in small communities across this country, like mr. splan, and they are tragically missed when they leave us.

as it turns out, this guy was from a city not too far from where i served in the military. that area of the country has a solid midwestern style and it's not surprising that this is where he came from. i have no idea what this man was like, but it seems he had zero detractors and was a treasure to his community. we should all be so lucky at the end of our lives, and we can be if we choose to make a positive difference every day.

http://beloitdailynews.com/articles/2009/11/30/sports/local_sports/sports3001.txt

Setting sail

2009-11-30T03:22:00.000-08:00

there are so many instances where a day out goes tragically wrong. but SOMETIMES life's mishaps have happy endings. some folks would say that 'people take their risks and they get what they get.' perhaps that's true, but when events unfold and there is danger involved, oftentimes the people caught up in the events never brought those circumstances upon themselves!

so it is nice when we read a story about our brave police and fire rescue forces saving the lives of people in peril. it's even nicer to know that those people will get to spend another day with their families and friends (and they will have a harrowing story to tell for years to come).

this guy loves the sea (like me) and he accepted an invitation to go sailing that could have cost him his life. it didn't, and that's something to be thankful for:

http://www.wqad.com/news/wqad-man-ocean-saved-112809,0,6126829.story?track=rss

banding together for a friend

2009-11-29T01:29:00.001-08:00

it seems like every time i turn around, i see stories in the news about how young people are in worse shape than at any time in our nation's history. i am certain that each succeeding generation of adults thinks the youths following in their footsteps are the most poorly behaved and ill-tempered lot ever (perhaps as a way of looking better by comparison).

but then, i scour the world for reasons to be happy. i realize that there are more opportunities for goodness in the world now than ever. young people are more connected to their communities now than in my high school days, and they come through time and time again. i saw it when i was a journalist in oklahoma, new mexico and mississippi, and i am sure it happens down here in the sunshine state.

but this little story jumped out at me because i like music. these kids sacrificed their payday for a classmate, and brought attention to the struggles of a kid who may not be able to walk again.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/norton/news/x441555704/Wilmington-teen-band-rocks-hard-for-a-classmate

rock on, boys.

Today's Hero

2009-11-28T04:42:00.000-08:00

it would be so nice if we taught children to emulate heroes instead of anti-heroes. there are so many followers of semi-bad-guy superheroes like Batman and Wolverine, that true-blue good guys like Superman get short shrift.

this story is about a group of heroes who saved a person's life recently; these stories always bring a smile to my face:

http://www.wahpetondailynews.com/articles/2009/11/27/news/doc4b0c48ff353c8348305753.txt

heroes deserve to be recognized, and heroism needs to be encouraged.

someplace special

2009-11-28T03:46:00.000-08:00

you know what? i'm sick of bad news.

we get so much of it that people can't help but utter the common querry: "why isn't there any good news out there?" the question is so routine to our conversation that i thought it necessary to find a way to share the good news that i find.

i was curious about blogging from the start, but didn't see the point in offering yet another forum for opinions. UNLESS ... i could create a way to share something different. don't get me wrong, my facebook page is still a central wellspring for moaning about current economic policy, the missteps of politicians and the state of our world/country/society in general. but i wanted to give folks somewhere to look for "happy news."

my plan for this blog is to gather good news from sources around the world. there's plenty of it out there, and this will hopefully be a place where that information can be displayed in a clever and amusing fashion, free from the usual cynicism and hyperbole that seems to dominate the current cultural climate. the prevailing mood is that the world is beyond repair and, even moreso, beyond hope.

nothing could be further from the truth.

in the few short weeks since i decided to set the wheels in motion, i have found countless stories from news sources everywhere that offer a joyful perspective. "joyfulcrum" is a combination of of two of my favorite words: "joyful" and "fulcrum," and they embody the nature of this site.

archimedes said: "give me a lever long enough, and a fulcrum on which to place it, and i will move the world." throughout human history, when people employ their minds and bodies to good works they can change the circumstances in any environment. that is the lever. the fulcrum on which most of them place their efforts is the joy they get in doing the things they do. it doesn't matter whether it's coaching baseball or organizing a Relay For Life event, happiness makes the task easier and more satisfying. therefore, it requires a pleasant outlook on the jobs people set out to accomplish. hopefully, you will be able to find that here.

this thing might be a little shaky at first, until i get used to posting and adding photos and so forth. but i fully believe that you all have been waiting for someplace like this for some time. i want to offer you a special location to visit as you begin your day, and if there is anything you find that warrants my attention, let me know. i will be happy to include it.

so here's hoping that this works. often, amidst the cynicism and ugliness that plagues our world, there are plenty of bright spots to be found. this is intended to be one of those locations that takes the edge off. here goes ...