I get all sorts of crap in my email box on a regular basis. I usually delete the chain letters and when something comes around warning me of the latest virus or missing child report, I tend to check it out, then let the sender know that they're perpetrating a hoax.
A letter was recently sent to me was about a 98 year old lady named Irena. It said that she smuggled 2,500 kids out of the Warsaw Ghetto as a plumber/sewer specialist, carrying infants in her toolbox and a burlap sack fo
You've heard it said that "money does not buy happiness", and probably thought, maybe not, but it does make many things easier. If you have enough money, you don't have to work, you can afford to pay your bills, you can travel or live wherever you want. For many people, that would be a blessing, but not for Karl Rabeder.
Karl made his fortune selling interior furnishings and home accessories. He bought a farmhouse in Provence, a villa in the Alps, and other exotic toys including fa
That was the text message Emily sent to her parents while held hostage with six of her classmates at Platte Canyon High School. The last time I saw Emily was ten years earlier, when she and her twin brother, Casey, were playing in the backyard of the Keyes residence.
Their parents were the sort of people I loved to be around--smart, nerdy, compassionate and balanced. Ellen observed that even though both kids were treated equally and without bias toward "things boys do" or "things girls do", the… Continue
Added by Tim Piazza on January 29, 2010 at 6:30pm —
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I admit that I am deeply saddened that I cannot help directly when others are suffering. My friends Joe and Jenny are flying to Haiti to launch an effort making and providing ceramic water filters for people who do not have access to clean water. I wish them success and a safe journey home. In the meantime, my finger is twitching to donate money through my cellphone or keyboard. Sure, there are plenty of material things that Haitians need right now, like mattresses and shoes. But the best thing… Continue
Added by Tim Piazza on January 20, 2010 at 11:57pm —
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At the trial to indict the man who murdered my sister, we waited in the court room corridor for what seemed like forever, before the trial in the morning, and again after lunch and before the afternoon session. The waiting was difficult and anxiety provoking, waiting to walk into a nightmare time and time again, we had to have courage. My fam… Continue
When I lived in Boston in the 1980's, I used to love dancing so much that I sought out opportunities whenever I could. There were a few events around town where you could go just to dance. One of the more established events was called Dance Free, which was held every Wednesday night. People would bring mix tapes with different kinds of music, and nobody needed a partner--it was free form movement and as long as you didn't get in anyone's way, you could do, more or less, whatever you wanted. It w… Continue
Added by Tim Piazza on December 9, 2009 at 10:25pm —
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What would you do if you borrowed something from a friend and it was damaged while you were responsible for it? What if that thing was expensive, difficult to repair, and impossible to replace due to uniqueness or sentimental value?
Most of us have probably borrowed something and had it break while in our hands at one time or another. Perhaps it was a car, or a computer, a bicycle, or the family car. These things happen. How we respond is what defines us.
Many of us have been on the other side… Continue
Added by Tim Piazza on November 29, 2009 at 9:58pm —
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I cannot imagine what it must feel like to lose a child at any age, especially one who is in their final year of high school and about to embark on their own life's journey. But it happens. Kids do foolish things, they take risks. It's not uncommon in rural areas to hear stories of head-on collisions happening late at night. Sometimes alcohol is involved, sometimes it's just pure stupidity--playing with the stereo or a phone, or going much to fast to make a turn. I did some of those things too,… Continue
Added by Tim Piazza on November 28, 2009 at 10:44am —
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My latest post isn't here on KindLIke.Us. Rather, it's a guest post on the site by KLU member Bunny. Please enjoy Bunny's Blog, and share your comments. Continue
Added by Tim Piazza on November 16, 2009 at 10:53pm —
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I said to a friend, "I have 46 cousins on my mom's side of the family", and she replied "I didn't know you were Irish!". In the USA, it's not uncommon for people to share a mixed ancestry. My relatives are from two islands, Sicily and Ireland. In both cases they left their homes to escape from poverty and to create a life of new opportunity. And both ended up in the same small community on the shore of Lake Ontario, a place that reminded them of home.
As a kid, I spent quite a lot of time with… Continue
Added by Tim Piazza on November 11, 2009 at 10:05am —
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I listened to an interesting talk by Dave Logan about Tribal Leadership. While listening, I was reminded of why this website came about and what we could accomplish over time. In the talk, Dave Logan discusses five kinds of tribal culture, from the sort that creates street gangs to the kinds of cultures that change the world. With KindLike.Us, we have the potential of creating something that is world-changing.
If I made a mission st… Continue
Added by Tim Piazza on November 3, 2009 at 8:00am —
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An acquaintance in Texas made a comment the other day about how other countries were trashing the good old USA until it was time for a hand-out, implying that the USA is the one that bails out other countries whenever there is a natural disaster.
I realize that this is an ill-informed view, shaped by culture and the popular media in the USA. The truth is that we, for the most part, have little idea how the people of other nations think and speak of us and we, for the most part, have little idea… Continue
Added by Tim Piazza on October 29, 2009 at 7:30am —
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An Invitation to a HARVEST POTLUCK
The following sentence from In Defense of Food by Michael Pollen has been stuck in my mind for days: When given the word CHOCOLATE CAKE to respond to, 98% of the survey respondents from France said “Celebration”. When respondents in the USA replied, 99% said “Guilt.”
I do love FOOD, and nothing says loving to me more than someone else taking the time to prepare food from scratch for me to eat. I used to love dressing up for Halloween and going through my chil… Continue
Just this morning I was thinking I "needed" to practice yoga today. And then I fell into the to-do-list crevasse. How can I spend time relaxing in a gentle pose, while so much needs to be done after so many days of illness?
It is true, taking time out of my day to exercise, often feels like I am displaying a selfish attitude towards my loved ones and friends. But...
Honoring oneself is the root to honoring others. Strengthing this basic foundation by exercising, reading, or doing whatever it is… Continue
Eric Hall was a soldier who was wounded in Iraq, and suffered from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to newspaper accounts, Eric was experiencing flashbacks upon return from the war and disappeared from the family home. His body was found 6 weeks later in a drainage ditch by Vietnam Vets who continued the search after the local authorities had called it off. It must be incredibly frustrating for parents to have their son go through the incredible hardships of modern day combat, th… Continue
Added by Tim Piazza on October 13, 2009 at 10:13pm —
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Sometimes wisdom sneaks up on you. That happened to me the other day. I was having lunch with a co-worker and for whatever reason, conversation led around to what each of us believes.
Though I was raised in the Catholic church, pursued an understanding Christianity in the company of brilliant scholars, and have explored the common ground between the beliefs of many cultures, I shun religion. It's just just not for me. And when I say that, I feel a need to apologize to my friends who are deeply… Continue
When I was fifteen, I ran away from home. I had no money, no possessions with me other than the clothes on my back, and no plan other than to get as far away as I could. I left in the morning, too nervous to eat. Ten hours of pedaling a bicycle in the cold, drizzling rain offered uninterrupted time for contemplation. I considered my possibilities, and my reasons for leaving. I was home by dinner time.
Millions of kids run leave home each year, but their reasons are far more compelling than mine… Continue
Added by Tim Piazza on October 5, 2009 at 8:00am —
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The Immaculate Concept World Prayer
I hold within My Heart of Hearts,
An Earth of Absolute Peace, unlimited abundance, and Divinity.
In this World of Perfection,
All beings are safe from dis-ease or harm.
The sovereignty of each baby, child, teenager, women, man and elder is honored.
All people, animals and trees are safe from violence or abuse.
Humanity’s basic requirements of:
Air, water, food, shelter and clothing
Are generously met, sharing naturally occurs.
Each baby-each little gir… Continue
I am in support of healthcare reform. Specifically, I want universal coverage for every person who works and pays taxes, and every person who is unable to work because of age, health, mental condition, or lack of opportunity. And I don't care what it costs, because ultimately, we're all in this boat together.
For the record, I earn a decent living, I have insurance provided by my employer, I pay significant taxes, and I (along with the bank) own a home. My employer has a significant presence in… Continue
It's always nice when others notice your good qualities. A sincere compliment goes a long way. And it feels just as good to give someone else a compliment. Paying sincere compliments is a good practice to have. Everyone wins!
Take a look at how Brett Westcott and Cameron Brown are spreading the practice across the nation.
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Added by Tiffany Piazza on September 26, 2009 at 7:12pm —
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A Remarkable Woman Named Irena Sendler
THAT WHICH BINDS US; AGAPE
An Invitation to a Harvest Potluck
The Immaculate Concept World Prayer
I really like your smile!
