We decided that after taking care of all our family needs, we would split the winnings and create a charitable trust and invest only in compassionate and sustainable projects, committed to building a world that works for everyone.
Then, we had fun thinking about all the craftsmen we could support through home repairs, and how the money and energy would flow through us to affect a wide array of beings and families. That money and energy goes from one receptor to another when it is free to travel, and not cooped up in a bank account.
We also though about how fun it would be to give gifts to all those who give us a smile every time we see them. The kid ripping tickets at the movie theater might get a random thank you note with fun money in it. Same with the courteous grocery check out girl. Though, I thought about the beings who work daily without a smile on their face, and how a little gratitude in words and cash might push them into a smile. Maybe they are the ones who need the kindest words and the most support to give them hope about the world.
It was so interesting to have a discussion about money that did not involve hoarding it and saving it for a rainy day. This old school mentality has got to go, and be replaced with a flow of energy from each and every one of us, that says to the universe, I know you support me, I know you have my back and so I will share. The universe knows there is more than enough to go around, we just have to remember that and really know it is true. Money loves to be shared and spread around, and I love to do it, so bring it on!
The world media community mourns the accidental death of Bob Simon.
Yesterday evening, long time US “60 Minutes” reporter Bob Simon was traveling in a car service Lincoln Town car vehicle through Manhattan. The driver hit another car that was stopped at a light, and slammed into a metal traffic divider. Most roadways in the city are not divided in this way, so I am not sure exactly where he was at the time.
The driver of the second car was not injured, but the Town car driver and Simon were rushed to the hospital, where Simon was pronounced dead. It was noted that he was not wearing a seat belt, which is not a regulation for taxi passengers in New York City.
Simon began his journalism career covering the Vietnam war in the 1960’s and had developed a reputation for being a reporter’s reporter. He had 50 years of journalism experience under his belt, and was even held captive for more than a month in Iraq about two decades ago. He recently reported about the Oscar nominated movie Selma, which focuses on the civil rights peace marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
He and his daughter, Tanya Simon, who is a producer that he worked with on several stories, were in the middle of preparing a segment for “60 Minutes” on the Ebola virus and a search for the cure.
The program segment was scheduled to run this coming Sunday on US national television. I would not be surprised to see the piece shelved indefinitely after such a tragedy, but only time will tell. Another sad addition to the ranks of investigative journalists who have died in accidents in the last few years. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.
CBS ’60 Minutes’ correspondent Bob Simon dies in car crash by Tom McElroy for AP the Big Story
In response to viewers complaints about all the bad news on TV, a local anchor decides to pay it forward.
I recently discovered news from a small community in Texas, with a broadcasting station that was paying it forward to people who inspired the community. Locals were encouraged to nominate individuals for the Pay it 4Ward award, but family nominations were not accepted.
It just so happens that a good friend of mine grew up in this small boarder community, where the predominant occupation was migrant field worker. During her youth, there was a great deal of poverty, bi-racial tension and violence. It was a community that was struggling and deserved a heap of support and good news.
When reporter Ryan Wolf came to town, he decided to give it to them. For over a decade, he did his best to balance the news and offer the community hope through the Pay it 4Ward Program. At the end of January, 2015, Wolf moved from McAllen, Texas to take up an anchor position with the news in San Antonio, Texas, and so his 12-year stint, sharing good news, and paying it forward to the community has come to an end.
No word whether he will institute a similar program in San Antonio, or whether the program in McAllen will be continued, but I have a good feeling about it on both counts. The truth is, that once you begin to soak in the energy of paying it forward, and creating random acts of kindness, it feels so good it becomes a part of your makeup. Even those peripherally involved with the kind acts, adore the way it makes them feel and they want to get involved as well.
Here, we share the two-part story of a young teen who was delivered into foster care as an infant. He spent time going from home to home, with no birth certificate or legal status. He even spent time living in a shack.
When he went to high school, the library staff took him under their wing and helped him as best they could. In return, he spent many hours a day at the school, doing kind things for the teachers and administrative staff.
Because of his kindness and his difficult situation, one of the teachers nominated him for the Pay it 4Ward award. A local insurance agency provides the award funds for the program. Here is the heart warming award ceremony.
Student who lived in shack cries when teacher rewards his kindness on YouTube
After this piece aired on the local station, the judge in charge of this young man’s case responded immediately. He received his post-dated birth certificate and other documentation, so that he would be able to leave high school and make choices for his future. He indicates a desire to further his education and enlist in the military. Even though this story is 2-years old, I wish him well in his future and I am sure he will never forget the kindness given to him, as he pays it forward into the world.
When reporter Wolf heard the news about the birth certificate, he decided to award him another Pay it 4Ward prize to send him on his way with a better foundation under him.
Pay it forward teen receives quick action after pay it forward award on YouTube
Lastly, here is the final installment of Pay it 4Ward, where Ryan Wolf closes the series and receives a surprise from the staff. He is the recipient of the award. Without a second’s hesitation, he decides to share the money with a family suffering deeply due to a tragic car accident.
Note that in this report, there is coverage of the accident and the young man who was trapped inside a burning vehicle, before a valiant truck driver pulled him out. The money will be used to help the family travel to visit the victim, and they hope to find the truck driver and give him a reward for his heroic actions.
I hope to see more local and national media people expanding into feel good news and community support in the future. We all know that inspiring news and publicizing random acts of kindness give others a modeling example of how to act with compassion towards others and offer a helping hand where none may exist otherwise.
Blessings on Ryan Wolf, and reporters like him, and I wish him well in his new position in San Antonio. May he continue to spread good news and random acts of kindness to his newly adopted home.
Pay it 4Ward finale twist as Ryan Wolf’s series on kindness ends by Ryan Wolf on Valley Central
And finally…
A cat nursing ducklings? Yes!
When I am preparing to create the News Roundup, I find myself clicking through YouTube videos to find the perfect smiling ending to any piece. Lately I have been drawn to the unusual bonds that can develop between mother animals and any baby that needs nurturing.
We can kind of understand a mammal mothering another mammal, but what about a baby that is born completely self sufficient and entirely un-mammal-like? This family in Ireland discovered a secret that their barn cat was keeping, and the results are priceless!
Cat nurses ducklings on YouTube
That’s the news for today. Have a magnificent day. I hope to see you back here tomorrow for more news.
Be Well. Be Joy. Be Love!
Alex