Jacquie Lawson does some great stuff. This one takes about 1 minute.
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1221321706636
Tomorrow, I will be flying to Colorado to help a friend go back to California
(see http://JSH.us/helen)
Just a month ago I had helped her come from California to Colorado to try to start something new. That effort did not work. And now, I am working to undo what I did.
Lots of people ask me why.
Is it that I feel responsible? No. It is not.
Then, if not, why. Why take these actions? Why spend this money? Why do these things?
The answers are relatively simple.
1. Because she is a friend … someone I have known on the internet for 10 years … who I have corresponded with a lot, and helped a little, through many ups and downs.
2. Because I believe what I do might help (though I admit that I have been incredibly wrong before).
3. And because I feel compassion.
I’ve written previously about TED. (To see those prior posts, just go to http://www.myephemerae.com/category/ted/).
Today, as I prepare to travel, I wound this most recent TED video about compassion.
It seemed appropriate to share it today.
(Depending on your browser security settings, may need to click twice to start the video. If you are receiving this via email, or want to open the TED site with the video, just click here: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/234)
Bio of Karen Armstrong
http://www.ted.com/speakers/view/id/208
Transcript of the talk
http://blog.ted.com/2008/03/karen_armstrong_1.php
Have you ever wanted to say “thank you” to soldiers you encounter in your life.
We may hate the war. We may think our politicians are clueless.
But the soldiers are doing their duty. And, I don’t know about you, but I’d like a way to say thanks.
The Gratitude Campaign exists to give us that.
(Depending on your browser security settings, may need to click twice to start the video. If you are receiving this via email, or want to open the YouTube page with the video, just click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSfFYxSdKdo)
Has anyone ever asked you, “What do you do?”?
Po Bronson, in his book, What Should I Do With My Life?, calls this “the great American cocktail party question”.
The man in the video below is Paul Potts. What does he do?
It is tempting to answer that he is a mobile phone salesman. After all, he works in a store (Car Phone Warehouse) that sells mobile phones and he sells them.
His hair is a bit short.
His suit is a bit inexpensive.
But, somehow, I don’t think selling mobile phones is what he really does.
As you watch the video, watch those who are watching Paul. Watch those initial faces … the expressions of doubt. Then watch them transform.
Perhaps it will bring a small tear to your eye.
(Note that if you are clicking on my blog, depending on your browser security you may need to click twice to start the video.)
If you are receiving this via email, or want to open the YouTube page with the video, just click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA
The YouTube page has more information on the man and the event.
Also see this article http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21904047-2,00.html
I am strongly opposed to the conflict (”war”) in Iraq and what I believe to be the politics of deception that took us there.
But that said, for me, opposing the fight and supporting the troops are not opposites. For me they are parallel, synchronous thoughts and feelings.
There is a video on YouTube which was put together by Lizzie Palmer (with some help).
Lizzie is 15 years old. She uses the YouTube handle of FlutieCutie.
Here is some info about Lizzie
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=FlutieCutie
She has made many “tribute” videos about the military.
This particular one, uploaded more than six months ago (12.Nov.2006) is experiencing lots of internet fame. In part because of it’s appearances on conservative blogs and lists, it has now been viewed more than 6.6 Million times.
But it isn’t just on conservative blogs and lists. Like I said, I oppose the war.
Frequently, the young remind us of what we knew when we were young … and what we fail to remember in the hub-ub of adultness.
I recommend you get a box of tissues.
Large version
http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1
Smaller screen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervaMPt4Ha0
