Anything is Possible!

With Love, Hope, and Perseverance


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SoCS: Staying Home and Watching Christmas Movies

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “home.” Use it as a noun, a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. Enjoy!

The first thing I thought of was the song, “Home,” by Cat Stevens, from the album, Numbers. I’ll share that at the end of the post because that’s where it traditionally goes. Not that tradition is the be all and end all of everything. In the episcopal church tradition is one leg of the three-legged stool, along with scripture and reason. That reason part is part of the reason I go to an episcopal church as my home church.

I haven’t been to church in three weeks since I’ve been home sick. I like staying home most of the time, but I do miss singing in church. It will be a while before I can do that because of this nagging, dry cough. I got a new medication for it, so maybe it’s on its way out. Ricola cough drops have come in pretty handy.

Yesterday was the first cool day we’ve had here in a very long time. The high was in the 70s! It was wonderful! I love autumn. I got so excited to put in my orange, glowy, flickering light bulb on the front porch. I think I’ll make soup today. Looking forward to pumpkin or sweet potato pie and feeling well enough to walk Marley to the park. When we come back home, and walk through the gate, I tell him, “GO HOME,” at least twice, so if he ever runs off and someone tells him to GO HOME, he will know what that means.

I wish everyone had a safe home, a place where they feel comfortable, at least a safe, comfortable room or corner. Home really should be safe. If it’s not, get help. Please. Everyone deserves to have a safe place.

It is very possible that I have shared Cat Stevens’ “Home” here and not that long ago. Well, maybe everyone didn’t see it or hear it. I don’t mind listening to it again. Here it is: https://youtu.be/OmnIOc3WN5o

I was checking my photos and had taken some of the TV when I watched the Home Alone movies, 1 and 2. They are two of the many movies I can watch over and over again, along with Elf. When my son was about five or six, people were always saying, “He looks like that kid in the Home Alone movie.” He actually did. Now, not so much.

Here’s a picture of my son, age 7, with his new baby sister in 1993: (That was almost 30 years ago!)

1993 Time flies!

Here’s the feel good ending of Home Alone 2. Kevin is giving a gift to the homeless lady who became his friend and saved him from the bad guys.

~~~

For more homey streams of consciousness, visit out host, Linda Hill by clicking HERE.


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Good News Tuesday for Jan. 5, 2021: Homeless Man Rescues Shelter Animals from Fire, Tribe Reclaims Ancestral Lands, A Grocery Store on Wheels, and Inspiration One Step at a Time

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

Homeless Man Rescues 16 Dogs and Cats from Shelter Fire

Keith Walker is homeless. He has arranged for his dog, Bravo, to spend nights at an animal shelter in Atlanta run by W-Underdogs – an organization that helps animals as well as underserved youth. When Keith arrived at W-Underdogs on December 18 to see Bravo, the building was on fire. Keith rushed in and saved all the animals in the shelter. Here’s the story from The Good News Network.

Nez Perce Tribe reclaims 148 Acers of Ancestral Lands in Oregon

Though the land was rightfully theirs,  the the US Army forced the Nez Perce to leave in 1877 in violation of a treaty.

“It’s not just some place our people visited. The very ground we walk on is made up of our ancestors. That’s how deep our connection is.” __ Nakia Williamson-Cloud, cultural resource program director for the Nez Perce Tribe

Click the link below to read the story:
https://www.opb.org/article/2020/12/25/nez-perce-tribe-eastern-oregon-reclaims-ancestral-land/

A Grocery Store on Wheels

A bus in Missouri makes the rounds with groceries and household items. Watch the grocery bus in action by clicking this link: Grocery Store on Wheels .

Step By Step

Paralympic International Medalist Blake Leeper was being fitted for his new running legs when he met 2-year-old, KJ, who was trying out his prosthetic leg for the very 1st time. Watch Mr. Leeper encourage KJ one step at a time.

Got Good News?

Please share in the comments!


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Good News Tuesday for Sept. 29, 2020: Helping a Neighbor, A Pledge for the Planet, Friendly Abundance, and a New Job

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

North Dakota Farmers Rally to Help Neighbor after Heart Attack

When Lane Unhjem’s combine caught fire at harvest time he went into cardiac arrest. But about 60 farmers put their own work on hold to join to help their neighbor harvest his wheat and canola crops …. “in a record time of seven hours.” The Good News Network has more.

Pledging 100% Renewable Energy in New Zealand in Ten Years

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern and the Labour party have pledged to have their country running on 100% renewable energy by 2030 if re-elected. The Good News Network has more on their plan.

Lonely Widower Receives an Abundance of Friends

I’ve lost Jo

My lovely wife and soul mate

I have no friends or family

No one to talk to

I find the unremitting silence

Twenty-four hours a day

Unbearable torture

Can anyone help me?

That’s what was on the sign Tony Williams put up outside his house in England. Before that, two newspaper ads and handing out cards didn’t work and Tony felt cursed with loneliness. Now, he has thousands of friends from around the world. A good reminder to not give up. Keep asking for what you need. Here’s more of the story.

You’re Hired!

LeShenda Williams was homeless and sleeping in her car at Krogers in where she used to shop. Then she she saw a flyer that the store was having a job fair and decided to ask for a job. The manager saw something special in LeShenda (you will, too) and hired her. Now, LeShenda has an apartment furnished with help from her co-workers.

Got good news?

Please share in the comments!


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Good News Tuesday for Sept. 8, 2020: It Takes a Village, From Homeless to Law School, Wild Birds, and Tech for Good

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

Alaska Residents Used Car Headlights to Land a Medevac Plane

In the remote village of Igiugig, Alaska, a Medevac team was attempting to land to transport a child to a hospital in Anchorage. Normally in Igiugig, a pilot can turn on the runway lights from the aircraft. But on this night night that system failed, and so did trying to turn the lights from the ground. Working together, the people of the village made phone calls and coordinated with the medevac team in the air. Within 20 minutes, 20 vehicles showed up to light the runway. Read more on how it happened from CNN.

From Homeless to Law School

Kevin Lee always wanted to go to college. Now he’s made it to law school and wants to be a judge.
“After losing their house in Pittsburgh in a flood, Lee and his mom spent a year bouncing from shelter to shelter. Soon after, his uncle, who was his biggest role model, was murdered.” Sean Giggy WCNC

Here’s more on the story.

Farmer in India Provides Half an Acre for Wild Birds

“I love this atmosphere where such a large number of birds come from long distances to eat the food I have grown for them. We take so much from nature and I believe it is our duty to give back as much as we can. Every farmer must save a small piece of land to grow food for birds.” Muthu Murugan

 Muthu Murugan, a 62-year-old farmer in has provided half an acre of his land to grow food for hundreds of wild birds some of which are on the verge of extinction. Here’s more on the story.

Tech For Good: Blind Runner Competes in Ultramarathons

Simon Wheatcroft has shown how the wrist device that helps him run marathons can also help with everyday movement of people experiencing blindness.

Got good news?

Please share in the comments!


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Good News Tuesday for July 14, 2020: Food in the Frig, Grizzly Bears, Renewable Energy, and Girl Power X 2!

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Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

Food in the Frig

“Take what you need, leave what you can.” Fully Stocked Refrigerators are Popping Up Around NYC. Read more about it in this article from Good Morning America.

US Court Maintains Protections for Grizzly Bears

Grizzly bears in the US Yellowstone region will remain protected by the federal Endangered Species Act thanks to a July 8th court decision which rejected the current administration’s attempt to remove protection. The court decision maintains protective status and halted planned trophy hunts for grizzly bears in Wyoming. The Western Environmental Law Center provides details in this article. 

100% Renewable Energy for Sydney

Downtown Sydney, Australia is now powered by 100% renewable energy. The energy is coming from two solar farms and a wind farm. Read more about this historic achievement in the Good News Network.

Olivia Helps the Homeless

In Chicago, 7-year-old Olivia Tyler has started a non-profit to help the homeless. She gives out masks to homeless people and has a solid financial plan for her goal to buy a homeless hotel. This link from the Today Show includes an inspiring video with Olivia and her parents.

This 12 Year Old’s Invention Detects Lead Levels in Water

Our closing video comes from Theresa at Culture Shocks who shared the link in last week’s GNT comments. It’s about 12-year-old scientist Gitanjali Rao who invented “Tethys,” a portable device that detects lead in water. Gitanjali started working on her invention after she heard about the toxic water crisis in Flint Michigan.

Got good news?

Please share in the comments!


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#WATWB: Veterinarian Cares for Homeless People’s Pets for Free

We Are The World Blogfest in white

For the past nine years, Dr. Kwane Stewart has been visiting homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and walking the streets and alleyways of California to take care of homeless pets for free. He and his vet tech, Genesis, do this work in their spare time. They understand that pets are family.  Dr. Stewart has a gofundme page for help with supplies, medication, and pet food.

You can read more about the the street vet in the following story from from the Good News Network:

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/veterinarian-treats-homeless-peoples-pets-for-free/

Paw print from pixabay

This post is part of the We Are the World Blogfest, a monthly blogging event created by Damyanti Biswas and Belinda Witzenhausen to showcase stories of hope and light.

This month’s co-hosts are:

https://www.professorowlsbookcorner.wordpress.com/“Sylvia McGrath
https://drkillpatient01.wordpress.com/“Peter Nena
http://shilpaagarg.com/“>Shilpa Garg
https://ericlahti.wordpress.com/“Eric Lahti
https://bwitzenhausen.wordpress.com/”Belinda Witzenhausen.

Please visit WATWB Facebook Pagefor more stories of light and hope!


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Good News Tuesday: Special Santa, Green Light for Migraines, Nurse Ingenuity, One Love, and Rain in Australia

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Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

Sensory-Friendly Santa for Kids with Special Needs

A mall in Lexington, Kentucky open early to create a safe and comfortable environment for kids with special needs. Dimmed lights, less noise, engaging activities, and wheel chair accessibility make it easier to include more kids in the Santa experience.  Here’s the story with a video.

green lights Christmas

Green Light Could Relieve Migraine Pain

There’s something about green. The following article explores research using green light for migraine and other kinds of pain. The main study has people sit in a dark room with a green light for an hour a day with reduction in symptoms over time. Of course quiet time in a dark room might also be a factor. I can’t help but wonder if being in a room full of green plants would also help.  Here’s the article from the Good News Network

 

Nurses Turn Surgical Wrap into Sleeping Bags for the Homeless

2000 large sterile wraps were being thrown away every day. But nurses at Tampa General Hospital had a different idea.  Imagine if every hospital did this?

One Love

This is not new,  but it came across my bow wanting to be shared again. In 2018, a thousand strangers, Christians, Jews, and Muslims, got together and sang Bob Marley’s “One Love.” Here’s how it turned out.

 

Rain Dance

It’s been raining in Australia! Some fires might still be burning, but we celebrate the joy of rain where it falls.  This video shows a group of firefighters with one breaking out in dance. If you can’t see it, go to the YouTube link.  There’s one more below.

Got good news?

Please share in the comments!

Wishing you comfort, peace, and joy through the holidays.

Merry Christmas!


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Good News Tuesday: Warm Rooms, Free MH Crisis Clinic, A Law for Animals, and Solar Batteries

A Warm Place in Chicago

Volunteer, Candice Payne used her personal credit card to get hotel rooms for homeless people during a record-setting freeze in Chicago. Then, other volunteers joined in and followed her lead.

 

 

Nashville Opens Free 24 Hour Mental Health Clinic

Designed to streamline assessments of mental health patients in crisis, this clinic is open to the public who can come in any time. You can read the Nashville Public Radio post or watch the video below of the grand opening.

Having worked in the mental health and crisis fields, I know how important it is for people in crisis to have easier access to services. The Nashville program sounds to be compassionate and well thought out.  If you don’t have time to watch the whole video, at least listen to the first few minutes.

 

 

Dog behind fence from pixabay

Lawmakers Aim to make Animal Abuse a Felony in US

Representatives Ted Deutch and Vern Buchanan — a democrat and a republican, respectively — are introducing the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act  a new bill that will make animal cruelty a felony in the United States. Let’s hope it passes. Click here for details in Green Matters.

 

sun softness

Solar Batteries on the Way

A research group in Sweden has developed a storage system that uses a special molecule in liquid form to store solar power.  They hope the system will be available for commercial use within the next ten years. Here’s how it works:

“First, the liquid captures energy from sunlight in a solar thermal collector on the roof of a building. Then it is stored at room temperature, leading to minimal energy losses. When the energy is needed, it can be drawn through the catalyst so that the liquid heats up. The warmth could then be utilized in, for example, domestic heating systems, after which the liquid can be sent back up to the roof to collect more energy – all completely free of emissions, and without damaging the molecule.”

(source below)

Click here for the article from The Good News Network.

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Bringing balance one Tuesday at a time

Got good news? Please share!


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Good News Tuesday: Free Meals, Pet Friendly Shelter, Solar Progress, and Help for Chimp Haven

Syrian Refugee’s “Nicest Place in America” Gives Free Meals to Government Workers

Yassin’s Falafel House in Knoxville, Tennessee was voted the “Nicest Place in America” by Reader’s Digest. Now they’re  giving away free meals to government workers and their family members affected by the shutdown. If ever I go to Knoxville, I hope to stop in.  (The commercial is short.)

 

 

Pet Friendly Shelter at Old Montreal Hospital

Patient rooms at the Royal Victoria Hospital have been converted to provide  80 Beds for homeless people and their animal friends.

 

 

 

 

 

Solar Progress Around the World

A Navajo Nations Solar Project is producing electricity for 13,000 homes. “The contractor hired and trained about 200 Navajos to build the plant,…” Here’s the story:

http://www.whitewolfpack.com/2017/09/navajo-nations-first-solar-project-now.html

While in India new solar installations planned for 2019 will reach nearly 14 gigawatts (GW), which is about 50% more than the capacity added last year.

Egypt is making significant progress in solar energy.  This hopeful 2018 video reports that Egypt owns the largest solar power plant in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anonymous Donation for Chimps

This article from The Good News Network reports that an anonymous $2 million donation made at the end of 2018  will provide sanctuary for chimpanzees who have been living in research facilities.  In the following video,  Jane Goodall shares her observations of Chimp Haven and the importance of choice for these intelligent beings. Fewer Chimps are being used in research today. Maybe some day they will all have a choice.

 

 

 

 

12 Year Old Gives Out Free Lunches with Love

Liam Hammond of Cambridge, Massachusetts has fed more than  2000 homeless people. Each lunch bag has a positive handwritten message.

 

 

 

 

Got good news? Feel free to share in the comments!

It can be personal, local, or global.

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Bringing a little Balance, one Tuesday at a time.


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#WATWB: Feeding the Dogs of Homelessness

Paw print from pixabay

Homelessness comes in many forms, human and four-legged. The love between homeless people and their companion animals can be powerful. Paul Crowell knows this. He fed the companion dogs of homeless people for five years until new  management at the  dog boarding and day care facility cut off his supply of excess food. But Paul had seen the need up close. He didn’t quit. He started a GoFundMe campaign which helps him continue to feed homeless dogs and created Project Open Paw.

Here’s the story:

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/guy-feeds-dogs-of-homeless-for-5-yrs/

We Are The World Blogfest in white

“We Are The World Blogfest seeks to promote positive news. There are many an oasis of love and light out there, stories that show compassion and the resilience of the human spirit.”

For more information, visit:

http://www.damyantiwrites.com/we-are-the-world-blogfest/

comes on the 4th Friday of each month when we share a story “that shows love, humanity, and brotherhood.” 

Our co-hosts this month are:

To find more positive posts visit the WATWB Facebook page:

Here are the guidelines for #WATWB

1. Keep your post to Below 500 words, as much as possible.

2. Link to a human news story on your blog, one that shows love, humanity, and brotherhood. Paste in an excerpt and tell us why it touched you. The Link is important, because it actually makes us look through news to find the positive ones to post.

3. No story is too big or small, as long as it Goes Beyond religion and politics, into the core of humanity.

4. Place the WE ARE THE WORLD badge or banner on your Post and your Sidebar. Some of you have already done so, this is just a gentle reminder for the others.

 

5. Help us spread the word on social media. Feel free to tweet, share using the #WATWB hastag to help us trend!