Proof Positivity: East Cleveland

Shaw High School in East Cleveland have big things under way. Mighty Marching Cardinals along with 4 other bands will be preforming during the Olympics in Beijing, China. I lived near East Cleveland and this is so big for those students. That region of Cleveland is gang infested and the color of your clothing is a big deal. If you are in the wrong colors bad things can happen. The area looks unkempt. Even when a team of people are sent out to clean up things the following day it goes back to normal. It’s not an easy neighborhood to live in. The kids that are going to Beijing I commend. 90% of the kids have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and 99% will be going on to college. This story has more focus on their band director Mr. Wilson I wanted to shed more light on the kids.

Proof Positivity: Solution

I am dedicating this post to Kdawg68 at THE ASPIRING HORSEPLAYER

I love horses but I just don’t get racing them. It makes me sad that one would have to be put down. If I were to sit and watch the races and I saw one go down I would probably end in tears because I’m the emotional sort. This is a story of a second chance. Injured thouroughbreds are adopted through a program called Rerun “ReRun Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Thoroughbred adoption program whose mission is to help ex-racehorses find a second career. Horses accepted into the program are evaluated, rested and rehabilitated as needed. The Thoroughbreds are then placed with qualified adopters to begin their chance at a second career.” This site also offers an opportunity to adopt the race horses that will no longer be used for races.

Proof Positivity: Wall*e Movie Review

In true Disney Pixar fashion Wall-e is a robot with a heart. This movie hits on a political issue, pollution. What would happen to our planet if we had so much junk we couldn’t live here? The president sends all humans to live in a spaceship until the Earth grows life once more. Wall-e is to clean up our mess for 700 years. He has a cockroach that’s his best friend and he watches old musicals on VCR tapes. Wall-e meets Eva another robot and he falls in love with her. Wall-e has a collection of junk that he keeps and he found a plant that he gave to Eva. Who was sent to see if humans can inhabit the Earth once more. I’ll not hit on the rest of the story. That would give it away.

My opinion of it is that it is an excellent movie. It touches on a lot of issues that we face as a world. What would happen if we continue our destructive habits? I think if you intend on discussing recycling or going green with your kids this would be a great start.

Proof Positivity: Lisa Smith-Batchen: My 810 Miles to save the kids!!!!

Lisa Smith-Batchen: My 810 Miles to save the kids!!!! AIDS Orphans Rising

Lisa Smith-Batcher is the only American to win Marathon des Sables 6 day stage race across the Sahara. 100% of the proceeds from the “Badwater Double” will go to children who have been orphaned because of the AIDS virus. This run begins July 9th.
Thank you. I am deeply honored you must be terribly busy. That’s cool that will give me a little more time to research and do a really good post to go along w/ the interview.

Good morning Shirley! Again, thank you for the opportunity:) You bet I am so, so busy but who isn’t right? We must do what we can when we can and at the end of the day know that what we have done is enough..God willing

1.) You are very inspirational What inspired you to be an endurance athlete? Did your childhood have anything to do with it? thank you. I have the very good fortune of having 2 wonderful parents, 3 older brothers and a younger sister. my father worked a great deal of my childhood so it was my mother who would drive all 5 kids all over the place to different sports..I was able to try everything from ballet, tap, jazz dance to ice hockey!! I was always good at sports but I feel it was my fathers dedication to his job and my mothers dedication to make sure her kids had every and any opportunity possible. As I got older it was sad for me that my father always worked and never came to see me in any sports. I thought the better I got, the more I did that he would sure come to see me. Well this went on for many years and little did I know, he may have never come to watch but he was always my #1 fan and still is today:) So..my endurance has been a progression and I love to be able to go long, slow and take my time. It is much more gratifying to me than having to go fast:) My mother is my inspiration, raising 5 children, she has more energy than I do on a given day and I find it hard to keep up with her although she does not enjoy any sports except walking! Having 4 other siblings we were all in sports growing up. 3 older brothers was very good incentive for me to try and keep up! Both of my parents always told me that you can be and do anything you want. Hard work pays off. You can be average, good or great at anything. to be average takes little effort, to be good takes some time and effort, to achieve greatness requires, hard work, effort, time and a life time of dedication. I choose to strive towards greatness and God willing it will take a lifetime but it is worth it.

2.) Your organization, Dreamchasers Outdoor Adventures, helps athletes of all abilities conquer the toughest running events how do you overcome the “I can’t do this” factor? There have been things in my life where I feel like I cant do this and it is charged by fear,,,the fear of failure of just sheer fear. I really feel we can over come any and every obstacle in life if we choose greatness and to strive for this. I tell everyone who comes to dreamchasers that you can DO ANYTHING AND I MEAN ANYTHING your heart wants to do…you just have to be committed and have the desire to follow through. We will help you with the steps to make it happen..You might be first or you might be last but you can get where you want to go..first or last we are all winners for just showing up to the starting line!!!Sometimes we don’t reach our dream or goal but this is due to an obstacle in your way and sometimes this is meant to be..it is the trying the doing and giving your all that is rewarding and then it is the getting back on your feet and trying again!!! We have people from all walks of life come to us and it is a great joy and so rewarding to watch so many go from the couch to running or walking through the Sahara desert or walk a 5k, marathon, loose 100 pounds…Wow..this is great stuff:)

3.) You are going to be running 302 miles and then cycling 508 more through the Nevada and California deserts with temperatures of up to 130 degrees. What do you think of when you are in the middle of these challenges as you’re running? In 2006 we raised close to $300,000 miles. When the going got tough my sister Julie put her hand on my shoulder and said..look up at the amazing sky and all the stars..there were shooting stars all over the place and the sky was lite with thousands of stars all twinkling.Julie (sister) said..Lisa each one of those stars is a child that we are saving and they are all thanking you and us for doing this for them! I say us because I may be the one on my feet for over 300 miles but it takes a team (crew) of people to make it happen. I smiled and thought about all the kids we were going to save, feed and that would have an opportunity because we were doing something about it. I will and do suffer in these events, the pain does come, the sleep deprivation is difficult, my feet ache and hurt but my heart, mind and soul know that God willing this is short term and that my suffering will pass once I finish. I will be able to go home to a nice shower and soft bed, sit in a restaurant and eat a good meal. These women and children might be sleeping in a box tonight on the road or under a tree with no blanket. They may walk for 2 days just to find food to feed them self. They suffer each day and it is not by choice. So I feel and my crew feel that we are making a difference, we can all make a difference with just a little effort of giving on yourself

4.) This run is to raise money for AIDS Orphans Rising. Can you tell me a little about this organization?I am going to let Sister Marybeth answer this question so that it is complete:)

Dear Shirley…thanks so much for helping Lisa and all the good she is trying to do for the children… our Community …The Religious Teachers Filippini for more than 300 years have been helping poor women and children .not only to survive but how to have a successful lives. In 2010 we will be celebrating 100 years of helping the women and children of the United States. We came to Trenton, NJ in 1910 at the request of Pope PiusX to help the Italian immigrants. Today the Sisters serve in ten countries helping countless women and children. The mission countries that need the most help are Albania, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Brazil and India. One of our biggest challeges is helping the orphans from Aids stay together as a family. The children need a place to live, food, clothing and an educaton that will help them not just survive but have great productive lives. By 2010 there will be 25 million orphans from AIDS. There will be 470,000 new orphans from Aids in Ethiopia just this year! The numbers are staggering. Lisa is helping us to help the orphans in Ethiopia. They are struggling ot stay together as a family. And we want them to succeed. read more..http://www.aidsorphansrising.org/

5.) How much have you raised? I wish I had an idea of 100% how much I have raised but I am going to say over all the years it has to be close to 1.5 million total..So far since May 1st we have raised over $140,000 and our goal is $500,000!

6.) How long will this run last days/ weeks? myself and the crew (team) will meet in Las Vega on July 7th and I will start to run on Wed. July 9th at 9am. I will run until Friday the 11th about 160 miles..straight through and end up at badwater which is the starting line of the official race. the race starts on Monday morning at 10am and then I will finish the entire (it is looking more like 310 miles) on Thursday..so about 1 week to do all of this. Take a look at the web site http://www.lisas810.com/ but wait until Tues.it should then have the map and much more information up on it:)

7.) When you have finished your 810 mile course, because I’m curious and a little off the wall, what is the first thing you plan on doing when you get home other than rest?
the real kicker here is that once I finish the running part I will no doubt be very beat up..emotional and so much comes with completing some of this magnitude. I will go home and have just 10 weeks to train for the 508 mile bike ride which scares the pants off me…being on my feet for 508 miles seems very doable to me, 508 miles on a bike is the challenge. It is near to impossible to train for both the run and the bike at the same time. I will come home and love my husband and children all I can and in my free time away from work and family..(sometimes this is 4am) I will have to start to ride a bike..so not much rest until after oct. 6th. Then I will take all of Nov. off and not do any kind of training. My family is the most important part of my life and they do come first. I arrange my life around them coming first so they are a great big part of my training..it might be pushing a stroller or pulling them on my bike..if you want photos I can send them..once I complete this there will be a great deal of crying for I am very emotional and I believe God gives us all we can take and handle and I am so full of gratitude and thankful for the opportunity to be able to do what I do. I am so blessed to wake up each day and know what I am to do with my life..
People can follow the event on the 810 web site and my blog..it would be so great to encourage people to send us emails…it helps so, so much. it also helps to get people motivated to send it to all there family friends and co-workers..this is called giving and doing something to help and make a difference.ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE, TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH!!!!
God Bless and Thank you
Lisa
http://www.lisas810.com/
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!!!http://www.dreamchaserevents.com/doac/doac_contact.htm
Dream Big!Lisa Smith-Batchenhttp://lisasmithbatchen.blogspot.com/http://www.dreamchaserevents.com/

http://aidsorphans.blogspot.com/ This is the blog for AIDS orphans rising.

Proof Positivity: The Little Blog That Could

Do you remember as a child reading The Engine Who Could? “I think I can, I think I can…” When you think big things through you might think they are impossible. My mom told me you can do anything you set your mind to. That being the case I will have one huge surprise for you. I am doing an interview with someone I would put in the celebrity category but not like a movie celebrity. You’ll have to keep an eye out to find out. This person is going to do something incredibly grueling if you ask me in the name of making a difference. You know you’re curious so please come back in a few days…

Proof Positivity: Experience Project

I just discovered a new site for me anyway called the Experience Project. The story I came across talks about a poor family and how this person wanted to help out. http://www.experienceproject.com/uw.php?e=243001
That is what this site is all about. So, if you have an experience where you have tried to help out or someone has helped you out I would love to hear it.

I should go first. Last year I was pregnant with my third child. My first two had a few complications and I was told to sweat as little as possible, drink lots of water, and bed rest easier said then done. I have responsibilities my oldest needed to be picked up from school, my house needs cleaning, my kids want to play and I don’t let them outside on their own in my neighborhood.

In walks my mom. Thank goodness she’s a teacher and had three months off during the last part of my pregnancy. My son goes to school year round. My mom took the brunt of my responsibilities until the baby was born so mom thank you and I love you.

Proof Positivity: Sponsorship

This is why this site is looking for sponsorship. I know that right now this site is ad free one day the avatar will be gone and you’ll have me. I personally can’t afford a camera. I don’t know how to get it on You Tube if I did. I have been thinking about writing to a few major corporations to get sponsorshipped. If I could make at least $1,000 a month I can travel to some places that are community service organizations. I can provide you with better quality broadcasts. The more money the more able I am to provide better service to my readers. I know advertising is a pain to look at but advertising will change so much for the better. Please Bare with me and keep coming back because I value you regardless of what’s going on. If you have any questions or whatever you can leave it in my comment boxes and I’ll get back to you.

Proof Positivity:Be Careful What You Wish For

“Be careful what you wish for.”

Jules Verne was the first person that popped into my head when I viewed this video. Jules Verne predicted space flight. http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/julongun.htm
I did not learn that from the above site believe it or not I learned it from Back to The Future part 2. Just goes to show movies and TV can be educational. He did predict some other things though this site has a list of them: http://www.trivia-library.com/b/science-fiction-predictions-jules-verne.htm
I brought up Jules Verne because I want you to imagine a world of horse drawn buggies and walking on foot. Mr. Vernes works happened before that. Here is an article that was published: October 2, 1898
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9504E4DB1438E433A25751C0A9669D94699ED7CF&oref=slogin

We have traveled to the moon and done all these great things. Imagine, if you will, if we all put our minds together what great things we could accomplish. We could accomplish peace if we weren’t set on blowing each other up or taking countries over. America could accomplish free health care if everybody were togther on it. So many things could happen if we use our imagination and learn to communicate.

Tim Russert

I know this isn’t positive news. I feel that Tim Russert made a difference in the world of journalism. This is why I have posted this. I know I don’t express my political views much but I do have a few and Meet the Press was what I watched. Tim Russert made sure that you know what the politicians have planned. He was a devout Catholic, father, and husband. He will be missed. Rest In Peace Mr. Russert.

Time Magazine article about who he is:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1733748_1733752_1735737,00.html

Proof Positivity: Service to America award

WYFF 4, in Greenville, South Carolina, was awarded from the National Association of Broadcasters http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home its “Service to America award. WYFF 4 works with 48 local community organizations including the American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/ , Meals on Wheels http://www.mowaa.org/ , and the Urban League of the Upstate. http://www.urbanleagueoftheupstate.org/

Article from the news program:
http://www.wyff4.com/editorials/16585919/detail.html

Random Acts of Kindness

So, What have you done today? You are all wonderful people. Do you know how I know? You are looking for something positive. Positive news can uplift you and make you happy. Negative news can depress you. Everyone can make a difference just by saying you’re special and you all are. Now go out and preform a random act.

Visualize

Do you know what it’s like to not see? Squint your eyes until they blur. This is how I see without glasses. Now, imagine a child whose family can’t afford to purchase glasses. Without glasses it is difficult to read and sometimes you’re unsure of what you’re seeing. I began wearing glasses when I was 12. I didn’t know that I had a problem seeing. This is a great charity that helps the kids who don’t know that they have a vision problem. Go check out Give the Gift of Sight at http://www.givethegiftofsight.org/ You can donate money or your old eyeglasses.

East Volusia News – newsjournalonline.com

East Volusia News – newsjournalonline.com Jim Foster, Former vice president of marketing for NASCAR, is being honored with the Howard M. Davidson Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Service.

He began the Stewart-Marchman Foundation http://www.stewartmarchman.org/foundation.htm which he still does work for.

Proof Positivity: The Positivity Blog

I just ran into a blog that I really like and I’ll be back for more. I’m writing about it here because of its title partly and it has some really good tips for staying positive. http://www.positivityblog.com/

Paid For Your Love of Community

This site offer 19 pages of non-profit jobs. http://www.execsearches.com/non-profit-jobs/searchAll.asp All of these jobs do require a college education and experience.

idealist.org has employment opportunities as well http://www.idealist.org/
for those with and without a college education. If you are going for jobs that require little or no education you wont be paid much these are non-profits. For CEO positions and executive positions the pay can be upward of $70,000. I don’t think it’s a crime for doing something you love and getting paid for it.

Starfish

Touching Story – Starfish – Click here for the funniest movie of the week
I believe no matter how small you can make a difference to someone. You can tell them how special they are or just help someone cross the street. It not only makes them feel good but it makes you feel good too. It helps releive strees so, it’s good for your health. I believe wholeheartedly that if we as a society begin to focus on the good points in each other the world would be a better place.

MPS Students Making A Difference | Today’s TMJ4 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin News, Weather, Sports, WTMJ | Local News

MPS Students Making A Difference Today’s TMJ4 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin News, Weather, Sports, WTMJ Local News Fifteen Milwaukee public high school students were honored by the Rotary club. A pledge was made to help their schools become “Violence Free Zones.”

To these students congradulations you deserve the recogognition.

Service Award

Andrea Conte won a National Crime Victim Service Award after being a victim to a crime she founded “You Have The Power…Know How To use it.” dedicated to raising awareness about crime.
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/ncvrw/2008/2008bios_1.htm#conte

For her site you can go here : http://www.yhtp.org/

Ohio.com – Akron police honor youngsters for good deeds

Ohio.com – Akron police honor youngsters for good deeds

Those honored:
Steven Baily
Max Dudack
James Gydosh
Trinidi Hopfe
Dennis Hyde
Alex Munster
Anthony Stafford
Kaylie Sutton
Hakim Tinsley
Tyler Uher

good job guys! For information on what they did please follow the link.