Hey guys, I just wanted to say thank you. I know that if Jack ever reads this stuff, he will truly know that he has made a difference in some peoples lives, that is what this is all about. Making changes and helping others to do the same, it is a slow and tedious process, but worth every step.

Well, this morning 2 people did some very nice things for me. My plumber came and fixed the leaky faucet for free. The leak was not his fault, but he was very kind to spend an hour at my house at no charge. Second, a friend I was lucky enough to meet volunteering at the concert (Xaveysmom) was nice enough to drive bring me the pictures she copied for me from the concert. Thank you! What you did was very kind and means a lot to me.

Now, on to a something that did not inspire me. Today while out I saw 2 of the same bumper stickers that read “I am going to work to help support illegal aliens”. I wondered how we all forgot that the majority of the people here are descendants of “illegal aliens”. I realize this is such a complicated subject, but it seems that all over the world people have the tendency to just want to keep people out, I see it especially here where I live, like we are not all here from the same source, what ever you believe that is. I realize it is easy sometimes to join in when groups start forming that is why I took back what I said about being a “true fan” on another thread. I did sound pretentious. I know you all are expecting me to say “Why can’t we all just get along?”, but I will save that for another day.

So anyway I just wondered what you all thought.

You know I won’t give up this easily.

Driving home everyday there is a homeless man standing on the corner. I have stopped before and given him some spare change, I have given him food, but I have never said a word to him. I know people are so hesitant to give to a person like this. The same questions run through my mind as I’m sure run through others. What will he spend the money on? Why can’t he get a job? Tomorrow I am going to stop and ask him how he got there. I am going to ask how he is, obviously, I do not expect the usual “good”.  How can a person like this be helped, certainly it is not by us dumping money in his cup and expecting that it will be taken care of. There must be another answer.

There are so many questions out there, some of which seem to have easy answers, but look deeper and you will see that it is not so easy. It is so hard for me to see all the things going on around me and not make eye contact with it. That is what a lot of us do. Just like the man, maybe if we do not make eye contact, I will easily forget that he is not standing there. Let’s look it in the eye.

I am awfully philosophical today, I am not sure why. Have you heard the “Water Song” by Zach Gill? Listen a few times, it makes me cry every time. Listen, again and again. Beautiful!!!

Many of these same issues have been on my mind.  There is a homeless lady who lives near us, we usually see her walking along busy roads.  I have thought about buying her a coat and keeping it in the car for the next time I see her.  I am a little unsure what to say, and I know I will feel embarrassed at not doing more.....that’s a long subject.

But you mentioned The Water Song, I love that song.  A most amazing song about the homeless issue is Brother Don’t You Walk Away by The Hooters.  You can get it on iTunes, here are most of the lyrics:

. . . . . Well I pass him by on the street each day
. . . . . Brother don’t you walk away
. . . . . He’s about my size and about my age
. . . . . Brother don’t you walk away
. . . . . Down a different road, might have been my friend
. . . . . Brother don’t you walk away
. . . . . But you never know how the road will bend
. . . . . Brother don’t you walk away

Tell me why is it so hard to say it?
Brother don’t you walk away

When you sleep all night on a pillow of stone
Do you dream of finding your way back home?
Well some might say these are better days
But a cardboard box is your home these days

Now the wind blows hard through the holes in your cap
While I’m safe inside here in luxury’s lap
So you walk this land in your worn-out shoes
Well if this land’s mine, is it your land, too?

So you look at me with a look so real
As I turn away from the things I feel
Even here and now as I lie awake,
Tell me how much difference can one man make?

Brother don’t you walk away
Tell me why is it so hard to say it?
Brother don’t you walk away

ok, so in the past 51 (approx) hours i have only had 3 cigs… which is really good considering I am nearly a pack a day smoker....i feel great knowing that I am reducing the amount of garbage I’m leaving behind, and I feel great knowing that this is a healthy step for me and for everyone around me… thank you all for your support, today will be the first day of ZERO cigarettes for me(hopefully)!!!!!

Hooray for Lacy!!

Okay, the homeless man was not there today, of course, but I am not giving up, just like you Lacy. Way to go.

jlc mom- I will be checking that out soon.

And now… another reason to not be inspired. I swear, I try and try to be positive, but today I was cussed out by a woman who’s daughter slipped while walking past me. The woman assumed I pushed her and gave me an earful. Well I won’t let this bring me down, but it did leave me singing “Where did all the good people go?”

I do Surveys and the money i will recieve for doing them im donating to the Salvation Army..they do great work i think..so if my opinions in surveys can eventually help someone whos living on the streets.that would be satisfying enough for me. i know what its like to live on the street even though it was a short time it felt like a long time.

Original Bubble Toes - Jul 03, 2008 11:48pm

I do Surveys and the money i will recieve for doing them im donating to the Salvation Army..they do great work i think..so if my opinions in surveys can eventually help someone whos living on the streets.that would be satisfying enough for me. i know what its like to live on the street even though it was a short time it felt like a long time.

What kind of surveys?

Well, Thursday, I asked the homeless man my questions and I got a reaction I was not expecting. I worried him and he ignored me. I think he thought I was being sarcastic. The good news is that through talking to other people about my dilemma I found out that there are boxes about town where you can donate money for shelters and food banks. Of course I am trying to find these now. I am definitely learning to ask more questions it gets everyone around you thinking about the topic too.

We always try to leave things better than we came, so this weekend we were picking up trash along the shore at the lake. There were a handful of other people enjoying the beautiful day. One couple was spending the day fishing and relaxing on the shore. They were very nice, but when they got up and left they left their trash. I am not sure how to handle these situations. We ended up just taking their trash with us. I do not understand how people who get enjoyment out of something can do this.

How would you have handled this??

nogali - Jul 07, 2008 03:11am

Original Bubble Toes - Jul 03, 2008 11:48pm

I do Surveys and the money i will recieve for doing them im donating to the Salvation Army..they do great work i think..so if my opinions in surveys can eventually help someone whos living on the streets.that would be satisfying enough for me. i know what its like to live on the street even though it was a short time it felt like a long time.

What kind of surveys?

The Surveys i do are e-mail cash ones..
http://www.emailcash.com

I know what you mean about the trash thing.  I was inspired by someone who posted a link to a story about a guy who has organized trips to remote Alaska beaches to clean them up—I don’t remember where the post was.

So, anyway, a couple of weeks ago, when the pedalboat was new, my girls and I pedaled to the opposite side of the river, to a small beach.  I could not believe the trash there!!  We loaded what we gathered on the back of the boat, and took the stuff back home to dispose of.  I was going to take a picture, but didn’t have the camera.  One thing was a metal 5 gal. gasoline can, there were a flip-flop and a shoe sole, bottles and cans, it made me sad.  I think that this is an activity that will be repeated.

Today at the recycling center a man was unloading his stuff. He was older (about 60), driving a jeep and blaring Sinatra on his stereo. It made me smile. I went around to tell him that his music was nice and he just grinned, he told me that the secret to living long was living young. He made my day, so he was my inspiration. I smiled at everyone I could and I think it was contagious.

I hope you are smiling today, I mean 1 of those smiles that makes everyone wonder what on earth could make you so happy.

I have had a week free of communication, okay I checked my e-mail 1 time, but I even turned off my cell. Not that big of a triumph, but it was great. I immensely enjoyed my quite time with my husband, my kids, and myself. Someone could reach me if they desperately had too, but there were no emergencies.

How was everyone else’s week? Did any of you do or see anything inspiring? Have we all forgot how inspired we were after we left the concert? or was I the only one?

hello, well i’m very new to the community but i have been a fan of jack for a long time now and can you believe i’m going to my first concert and i will be a volunteer on his shows here in socal.  i’m very excited and as i was reading your posts i was so happy to find out all about your inspiring times.  well, today i had to buy some stuff from the store but unfortunately i forgot to bring my reusable bags (i think i may have 10 of them) eniweys i decided to just carry the stuff with me and still not get any of the plastic bags they offered.  it always makes me feel good to think about this things and one more thing, i reviewed all my credit card accounts today and enrolled in paperless statements (i was enrolled for others), unfortunately for some they don’t have but they told me that it is in the making so hopefully it will happen very soon (imagine how many trees are gonna be saved by this). ok guys, hope you won’t get tired of posting....