Making a Difference Became a Day to Remember

Making a difference became a day to remember in the life of a family, a business and a community and it all began with an idea. 

One person had an idea.  Which prompted them to take action.  Along the way others were encouraged to join in…Thought + Action = Change!

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio (AP) — It began quietly, as an email to 40 friends.

But when a steady stream of customers began coming through the door before the family owned Chagrin Hardware had even opened for the day on Saturday, it was clear that it had turned into much more than that.

The idea started with Jim Black, a resident of Chagrin Falls, a close-knit village in Cleveland’s eastern suburbs that is part artist colony and part bedroom community. Black posted the email to a group of his friends. “Let’s show our support for one of our local businesses,” he wrote. “I challenge everyone to spend AT LEAST $20 at the hardware on the 21st.”

Although his email referred to the idea of a “Cash Mob” or the notion to “Occupy CF Hardware,” he really had no political agenda. And it wasn’t meant as a protest against the big-box stores that have created an ever-tightening circle around the community.

It was just a way to thank Chagrin Hardware’s owners for a beloved shop that has been a fixture in the village since 1857. (read the rest of the story)

My challenge to you…Every week for the remainder of 2o12, choose one locally owned and operated retail or service related establishment in your community and commit to spend $20 with them.  This might mean you purchase your lightbulbs from the locally owned hardware store instead of the big box chain store.  You could pick up your fresh fruits and vegetables from the local farmers market.  You could spend your entertainment $$ with a locally owned restaurant.  You might try out the locally owned coffee shop, bakery or resale shop.  If you’re going to spend the $$ anyway, why not spend them with a locally owned business and support your neighbor and your community. 

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Love your neighbor…

Before the month of Love comes to an end…I would like to share a little bit of my heart with you…

I am mostly non confrontational…and a peace keeper…

I am soft hearted and sometimes get my feelings hurt over a passing comment.   

It doesn’t take much to tug on my heart-strings and all of the evil, hatred and fighting in the world weighs heavy on my spirit. 

I typically do not watch the news because it fills me with sadness…

I wonder how different the World would be if the news media focused more on the positive things that people do instead of all of the murder and mayhem.  Just today the first 10 minutes of the evening news was dedicated to the following stories;

• Man shoots wife, two daughters, then himself
• Fight over singing ends in fatal shooting
• Off-duty HPD officers shoot teen in SE Houston
• Man shot to death in his apartment
• Pawn shops targeted in smash and grab thefts
• One killed, 4 wounded in school shooting in Ohio

The list continues with more murders and then as if to lighten the mood the News Anchor switches over to the recap of the Oscars…It’s not enough to highlight the winners,great effort is made to point out who failed to meet the expectations of the fashion gurus…Then they move on to the political in fighting and wrap up with the daunting news of the ever-increasing gasoline prices. 

Not a single minute of a single “feel good” story.  I know that every day good people all over the world are doing good things for people in need.  I think there should be more time devoted to covering the “feel good” stuff….

what the world needs now is love sweet love,
it’s the only thing that there’s just to little of,
What the world needs now is love sweet love,
no, not just for some but for everyone…

Try this on for size…Love your neighbor as yourself…

 

The people in this video gave up their Saturday to go out and help a complete stranger.  Not only did they donate their time, they paid a minimal fee to cover the cost of a T-Shirt, transportation and snacks.   They didn’t do it for the recognition…they didn’t do it for money… they didn’t do it for any other reason than the fact that there was a need.   

New Hope Church, where I worship and work, organizes community outreach projects throughout the year.  The outreach projects fill up in a couple of weeks time and usually have a waiting list.  More times than not the teams come back physically exhausted but mentally exhilarated.  They come back with dirty clothes but with a renewed spirit.  They leave out thinking they are going to change someones life but come back changed themselves.   They have experienced what it is to…Love your Neighbor! 

Romans 13:9
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

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community support, new blogs to follow…

A community isn’t built it grows through a common interest and commitment to a vision, then a plan begins to take shape.   The goal is  to create a place where people can gather and enjoy their common interests. 

The same is true for the blog world.  This space has been created for people who have a desire to share what is  in their hearts.  Typically we begin by searching out the familiar, things we are most comfortable with.  Then we begin to experience new ideas from individuals living in wonderful places sharing their life experiences.  We are afforded the luxury of meeting new people, developing new friendships that otherwise would not exist. 

I am committed to my community, the one where I live each and everyday.  I am committed to the community of believers that share my faith.  I am committed to the community of family that I have been born into.  I am committed to the community of those in need by doing whatever I can to help out.  I am committed to this community. 

My blogging buddy Rose made a suggestion sometime back that we should search out new bloggers and blogs to connect with and encourage.  I loved the idea and I even gave it a try for a week or two.  However, I began to feel overwhelmed with all that I was trying to keep up with on my blog and the blogs of my buddies.  It fell to the bottom of my “to do”  list.  However the idea was always hovering in the back of my mind.  So this past week I renewed my commitment to my blogging community. 

I decided to scan through my blogging buddies blog roles and check out a new blog or two.  When I found one that I felt connected with in some way I subscribed to their blog.  This way I could go back and revisit each one, support them by reading their posts and commenting and sharing them with you.  Thus building a stronger community in my little corner of the blogging world. 

Here are the new blogs I am following and supporting. 

figments of a duchess , a “Dutch”ess writer and teacher

faithdreams , faith and encouragement

gardenmuse, garden blogs and photography

How do you find new blogs?  Have you found a new blogging buddy?  If so leave their blog address in the comment section.  Let’s share the love and support our community.

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