Tell Me Something Good has grown faster than I thought it would. I'm thrilled by the fact that so many people have embraced the idea of spreading positivity to combat the weight of the negativity found online. What started out as a knee jerk reaction to someone complaining about the people around her, is now all over the internet and is helping and inspiring people daily. By shifting our mood to a more positive state, we've found that we become happier and healthier. And I know we could all use some of that.
Unfortunately, what I wanted to do with this blog didn't actually happen. I wanted to return here to share and archive the good things people were sharing on our Facebook page but that wasn't as convenient as I needed. Thankfully, a fan of the page pointed out a better option. I am going to keep this site up as an archive for what we've done, but I invite you all to join me on the new Tell Me Something Good web site. We will continue to spread positivity on a daily basis by telling you something good and we encourage you to share with us. The new web site will actually allow you to submit your own good thing and be an active part of this growing campaign. So join us at Tell Me Something Good. I'm sure you'll like what you see.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Getting A Clue Can Take Longer Than We Like, But...
You've heard that old joke where the guy goes up to a doctor and says, "Hey Doc, I have a problem I need to talk to you about. I have this sharp pain whenever I go like this." And the doctor says, "Then don't go like that."
There's a lesson in that joke. If we know what behavior causes us pain or tension, we need to stop that behavior and learn how to heal the damage we've already done. Sometimes, the healing happens as soon as we remove ourselves, but we have to actually remove ourselves. I'll admit that I'm not always good at doing this, but I'm trying. What I need to remember is that it helps to replace that painful behavior with behavior that makes a positive impact. I know it always comes back to this, but I removed myself from the negativity others were posting online and started something I was hoping would invite people to post only the positive. It's lightened my heart and given me hope that I can achieve the things I set out to achieve.
One of the things that gives me hope is a video someone posted on the Tell Me Something Good facebook page. It's of a 5 year old learning how to ride a bike. Once he does what he sets out to do, he feels very proud and goes into a speech on how other children should keep practicing because they too will do it... He finishes off the pep talk with a hearty, "Rock and Roll!" That's the kind of thing I like to see.
So, if you're sinking in the news in the mornings and your stress levels rise whenever you hear about some idiot politician's tweets and explicit photos online... remove yourself from that news and find something good that makes you smile. That's what I do. Getting a clue took me longer than it should have, but I figured it out and no matter how tough it is, I'm sticking to my guns. Rock and Roll!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Good Things... Not Always Obvious, But Always With Us.
Good things aren't always obvious. All of us at some point have opened our eyes in the morning and winced away from the sunlight shooting in through the drapes. We've covered our heads with our pillows and thought, "there's nothing good about today." That thought is never correct.
One could think that sun shining and the birds singing and all the beautiful things that a beautiful morning has to offer aren't good things but it's only because they aren't thinking. One simple thought makes all that worth while. So they don't care about the sunlight or the birds or about anything else in the world... is it because someone hurt them? The good thing in this common dreary sentiment is that they once loved someone... and quite possibly still do. Another good thing is that they can love someone else just as much, maybe even more. Of course they could be negative enough to counter that another negative thought, but positivity always counters negativity. Something good is always with us. I know this because I've been in that dark spot where there seems to be no hope. I've been in a place where I've refused to listen to the voice of reason who had good things to say even when I followed every thought with negative words. And most of you have too... at some point.
I posted a comment not too long ago about how, as I spread good things and positivity, I bump into people who meet me with hostility. They feel assaulted when I ask them to tell me something good. They actually get angry when I tell them to smile. We know that physically it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile, so they're working extra hard to look grumpy. I find it silly for people to go out of their way to be miserable. They can't justify it with any story of hardship and woe because I've been there too. My life isn't as horrible as some people in the world. I've never known the hardships that so many have known. But at the same time, many haven't known the horror or the hardships that I have. And I still have something good. So how do we warm these people's hearts? How do we comfort them and help them feel better? How do we encourage them to spread positivity in order to change their own lives for the better? We simply smile and wave. I'd give that person a hug and keep sharing with them the beauty of everything good. They can ignore it or deny it, but eventually it will melt that hard shell and they'll make it through. Everybody has something good... countless somethings good. We just need to open our eyes to see it. This is the point of "Tell Me Something Good." We can change our mental health and physical health and all the bad attitudes we have. And with that, we can change the way of the world. I'm not going to lie and say that we can vanquish war and cancer and everything bad in the world with a simple thought of something good, but it wouldn't hurt, and it certainly is a start.
I want to thank everyone who carries on this campaign. I want to embrace you and tell you that every day I read your good things, I am better for it. Every person that follows this blog or every facebook member who "likes" the page, makes me smile and gives me one more good thing to add to my collection. Spread positivity. Smile, laugh, love, and enjoy what you do. At the end of this blog, approach someone in your life and say to them, "You're my good thing." It's going to make you smile and I promise it'll make them smile too.
Good things are not always obvious, but they are always with us.
Join the Tell Me Something Good facebook page.
One could think that sun shining and the birds singing and all the beautiful things that a beautiful morning has to offer aren't good things but it's only because they aren't thinking. One simple thought makes all that worth while. So they don't care about the sunlight or the birds or about anything else in the world... is it because someone hurt them? The good thing in this common dreary sentiment is that they once loved someone... and quite possibly still do. Another good thing is that they can love someone else just as much, maybe even more. Of course they could be negative enough to counter that another negative thought, but positivity always counters negativity. Something good is always with us. I know this because I've been in that dark spot where there seems to be no hope. I've been in a place where I've refused to listen to the voice of reason who had good things to say even when I followed every thought with negative words. And most of you have too... at some point.
I posted a comment not too long ago about how, as I spread good things and positivity, I bump into people who meet me with hostility. They feel assaulted when I ask them to tell me something good. They actually get angry when I tell them to smile. We know that physically it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile, so they're working extra hard to look grumpy. I find it silly for people to go out of their way to be miserable. They can't justify it with any story of hardship and woe because I've been there too. My life isn't as horrible as some people in the world. I've never known the hardships that so many have known. But at the same time, many haven't known the horror or the hardships that I have. And I still have something good. So how do we warm these people's hearts? How do we comfort them and help them feel better? How do we encourage them to spread positivity in order to change their own lives for the better? We simply smile and wave. I'd give that person a hug and keep sharing with them the beauty of everything good. They can ignore it or deny it, but eventually it will melt that hard shell and they'll make it through. Everybody has something good... countless somethings good. We just need to open our eyes to see it. This is the point of "Tell Me Something Good." We can change our mental health and physical health and all the bad attitudes we have. And with that, we can change the way of the world. I'm not going to lie and say that we can vanquish war and cancer and everything bad in the world with a simple thought of something good, but it wouldn't hurt, and it certainly is a start.
I want to thank everyone who carries on this campaign. I want to embrace you and tell you that every day I read your good things, I am better for it. Every person that follows this blog or every facebook member who "likes" the page, makes me smile and gives me one more good thing to add to my collection. Spread positivity. Smile, laugh, love, and enjoy what you do. At the end of this blog, approach someone in your life and say to them, "You're my good thing." It's going to make you smile and I promise it'll make them smile too.
Good things are not always obvious, but they are always with us.
Join the Tell Me Something Good facebook page.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Tell me something good spreads across the world with no sign of slowing.
I've said this before but it still holds true... Every day, someone sends me an email or comes up to me on the street and tells me thanks for promoting positivity with the “Tell Me Something Good” campaign. As far as the spread of it online, people are practicing it in Germany, the UK, all across America and even in central America... and every time someone points out something good in their life, it does them good as well as everyone who understands how it's supposed to work. There are some folks who don't get it, but don't blame them... they'll catch up. We all have something good to share, even the most unhappy of people can't deny that with any truth. When I wake up in the morning to take my daughter to school, I kiss my sleeping wife goodbye. She smiles a closed eye sleepy smile and she tells me to be careful. I love starting every day like that. She's a woman who is gorgeous even when she gets up in the morning and as far as good things go, I can't think of anything else that I have, that even remotely comes close. I want you to share with me your good things. Post them here on this blog, post them on my facebook, send them to me in an e-mail... Don't keep that positivity to yourself, share it!
Here's a list of the good things I've posted since the 1st of April, the day I began telling you something good.
April 1st... The start of “Something Good”
April 2nd.. Scrambled eggs and toast with huckleberry jam.
April 3rd.. I was able to walk out on my balcony this morning and feel the sun on my face.
April 4th.. Webb Wilder... ”Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big, wear glasses if you need em.”
April 5th.. A kiss on the forehead by my little girl. First thing in the morning is the best time for one of those!
April 6th.. I got back in touch with some great friends from up north. Been over a decade since I've talked to these people... Old friends uniting... now that's a good thing.
April 7th.. great music is a good thing... it's never too far away.
April 8th.. It's Friday and I have no intention of posting that horrible girl's video.
April 9th.. This goes for everyone I know as well... No matter how bad things seem... there is always someone who cares about you. I know this for a fact...
April 10th. the zen of playing laser pointer with the cat.
April 11th. The good thing here is that good things are appreciated.
April 12th. Oatmeal with apples and a splash of rum...
April 13th. In the middle of the night when I start waking up from being cold, even before I start bitching and moaning, my lovely wife wakes up and moves the covers over me. I don't know if it's her psychic power or that I've really been bitching and moaning in my sleep and have finally woke her up without meaning to, but it's nice.
April 14th. when someone says "sorry" and means it.
April 15th. her legs wrapped around mine, her hair draped over my arm, and our noses touching just before we kiss. Now that is a good thing!
April 16th. Laying around in bed till almost noon... laughing and telling stories and having a tickle fight.
April 17th. Reading my email last night, I found one from Allison Blass. If you happened to read my note from yesterday, you'd know that she's the one whose friend asked her to tell him something good. She's been out of touch with that friend for years but is happy to see that people are still spreading that kind of positivity.
April 18th. when you make a difference in someone's life... and if you're reading this, you've made a difference. That's something good.
April 19th. I am surrounded by beautiful, kind, caring, intelligent people.
April 20th. Rhiannon's excited that we're going on a family outing to the Mission Santa Clara de Asis. She can hardly contain herself.
April 21st. doing something with my sweetheart for the first time... It's great when we can look at each other and say, "We've never done this before."
April 22nd. the connections that are actual and everlasting.
April 23rd. Even spam that attempts to slander me in my friend's eyes on Facebook can't make me unhappy. What a great day this is!
April 24th. friends and family all day long.
April 25th. I got a great night's sleep after a very peaceful very enjoyable Easter.
April 26th. The complete awesomeness of children.
April 27th. I was driving home tonight thinking about those who don't judge me... who know I'm imperfect and allow me to make mistakes and are still there for me when I need them and are there when I grow past those mistakes into someone smarter and stronger. Thanks again. I love you.
April 28th. our freedom of speech which includes our freedom of expression. Without it, many of you wouldn't even know who I am.
April 29th. After 29 days of promoting positivity, I saw nothing but positivity all morning long.
April 30th. This morning I saw a post on a friend's wall she's taken "Tell Me Something Good" to a new level and is encouraging people to post things they're grateful for. It's good to see positivity spread like this.
May 1st... I got up this morning and was greeted with a big grin and a kiss from my little girl, Rhiannon. She is my good thing for today.
May 2nd... I'm happy to report that not a day goes by without someone telling me that they like my positive messages. Good vibes and healthy attitude reaches across the globe instantly if you do it right. Today, my good thing is that I have a review to post and my next "Good Things" blog. It's nice to accomplish something.
So thats it for April's “Good Thing” report. I'll list the new batch around the first Monday of June, but until then I'll still be posting positive stories and telling everyone what's good in my life. I do hope that you'll take part in this campaign to spread positivity by thinking about all the things in your life that are good... and I hope you'll share it with me and everyone else.
Take care- Eb.
Here's a list of the good things I've posted since the 1st of April, the day I began telling you something good.
April 1st... The start of “Something Good”
April 2nd.. Scrambled eggs and toast with huckleberry jam.
April 3rd.. I was able to walk out on my balcony this morning and feel the sun on my face.
April 4th.. Webb Wilder... ”Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big, wear glasses if you need em.”
April 5th.. A kiss on the forehead by my little girl. First thing in the morning is the best time for one of those!
April 6th.. I got back in touch with some great friends from up north. Been over a decade since I've talked to these people... Old friends uniting... now that's a good thing.
April 7th.. great music is a good thing... it's never too far away.
April 8th.. It's Friday and I have no intention of posting that horrible girl's video.
April 9th.. This goes for everyone I know as well... No matter how bad things seem... there is always someone who cares about you. I know this for a fact...
April 10th. the zen of playing laser pointer with the cat.
April 11th. The good thing here is that good things are appreciated.
April 12th. Oatmeal with apples and a splash of rum...
April 13th. In the middle of the night when I start waking up from being cold, even before I start bitching and moaning, my lovely wife wakes up and moves the covers over me. I don't know if it's her psychic power or that I've really been bitching and moaning in my sleep and have finally woke her up without meaning to, but it's nice.
April 14th. when someone says "sorry" and means it.
April 15th. her legs wrapped around mine, her hair draped over my arm, and our noses touching just before we kiss. Now that is a good thing!
April 16th. Laying around in bed till almost noon... laughing and telling stories and having a tickle fight.
April 17th. Reading my email last night, I found one from Allison Blass. If you happened to read my note from yesterday, you'd know that she's the one whose friend asked her to tell him something good. She's been out of touch with that friend for years but is happy to see that people are still spreading that kind of positivity.
April 18th. when you make a difference in someone's life... and if you're reading this, you've made a difference. That's something good.
April 19th. I am surrounded by beautiful, kind, caring, intelligent people.
April 20th. Rhiannon's excited that we're going on a family outing to the Mission Santa Clara de Asis. She can hardly contain herself.
April 21st. doing something with my sweetheart for the first time... It's great when we can look at each other and say, "We've never done this before."
April 22nd. the connections that are actual and everlasting.
April 23rd. Even spam that attempts to slander me in my friend's eyes on Facebook can't make me unhappy. What a great day this is!
April 24th. friends and family all day long.
April 25th. I got a great night's sleep after a very peaceful very enjoyable Easter.
April 26th. The complete awesomeness of children.
April 27th. I was driving home tonight thinking about those who don't judge me... who know I'm imperfect and allow me to make mistakes and are still there for me when I need them and are there when I grow past those mistakes into someone smarter and stronger. Thanks again. I love you.
April 28th. our freedom of speech which includes our freedom of expression. Without it, many of you wouldn't even know who I am.
April 29th. After 29 days of promoting positivity, I saw nothing but positivity all morning long.
April 30th. This morning I saw a post on a friend's wall she's taken "Tell Me Something Good" to a new level and is encouraging people to post things they're grateful for. It's good to see positivity spread like this.
May 1st... I got up this morning and was greeted with a big grin and a kiss from my little girl, Rhiannon. She is my good thing for today.
May 2nd... I'm happy to report that not a day goes by without someone telling me that they like my positive messages. Good vibes and healthy attitude reaches across the globe instantly if you do it right. Today, my good thing is that I have a review to post and my next "Good Things" blog. It's nice to accomplish something.
So thats it for April's “Good Thing” report. I'll list the new batch around the first Monday of June, but until then I'll still be posting positive stories and telling everyone what's good in my life. I do hope that you'll take part in this campaign to spread positivity by thinking about all the things in your life that are good... and I hope you'll share it with me and everyone else.
Take care- Eb.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Let's Spread Some Positivity...
Spreading positivity is easy and on top of that, it's contagious. If you practice positivity on a daily basis, you'll see that the people you come in contact with regularly will fall in line right behind you. I'd like to see more people use these steps to spread positivity. If you do it, you'll see how it can change the atmosphere for you and everyone else.
Number one: Once I found out that sharing a positive message was fun and infectious, I thought about the fact that sharing negativity and complaints was just as infectious. Do you really want to extend a negative atmosphere? Or would you rather replace it with a positive atmosphere? Hold on to your gripes and complaints. Keep your judgments and your irritations to yourself. It doesn't help anyone when you fire off those "negativity bullets." The people you complain about become negative, the people who read or hear your gripes become negative, and it keeps you in that grey unhealthy spot. I understand that sometimes that stuff just needs to come out, but instead of exploding or infecting others with it, you can jot it down on a piece of paper and come back to it later when you can turn your attention to it and any possible resolutions.
Number two: This one might be easier than the first on this list but it's no less important. Make it a point to greet strangers you see on the street with a smile and a simple "hello" or a "good morning." It feels great to receive pleasantries and it feels just as good to notice the effects they have on people. I do this all the time and sometimes the smiles I get are worth a mint.
Number three: Try slowing your response time when having a conversation. This is a step you might not normally think about but when you're talking to someone and they're quick to respond, you'll notice the tension rise. Take a conversation where the people involved fire off responses like a tennis volley, and you've got a conversation that could quickly turn into an argument or at the very least, bring stress levels up higher than they should be. This applies to online as well. I've been guilty of expecting a sudden response because I've gotten used to the "instant gratification" that technology has given us. Now that I'm learning to relax, realize that it isn't crucial to get the response right away... just as it isn't crucial to give one.
Number four: Try laughing more. I used to tell people that I wasn't a fan of comedies. They's shake their heads in disbelief and say, " but you're such a funny guy... what do you mean you don't like comedies?" I'd have to explain that I was always disappointed with the comedies of today because none of them made me laugh. My trouble back then was that I wouldn't allow myself to find something funny in the films that I'd watch. You can find something funny in everything. These days, I'm watching movies I wouldn't have before and I'm playing more and more practical jokes and... I am allowing myself to laugh. I laugh at myself and and everything around me, and I feel better for it. Also, when others see you laughing, they won't be able to help laughing as well.
Number five: You might have seen this coming but #5 is something I've been promoting for about a month. Share something good. There is always something good around us, we just don't always choose to see it. Make it a point to share a funny story or tell someone in your life some of the good things that surround you. Trust me, doing this will prove to be very effective. I post my good things on Facebook all the time and the response is really amazing. It's something that's branched off to others beyond my original expectations and they're passing it on to their friends. Every day I get emails thanking me for the positive posts and every time it makes me smile to know I've made a difference.
Number one: Once I found out that sharing a positive message was fun and infectious, I thought about the fact that sharing negativity and complaints was just as infectious. Do you really want to extend a negative atmosphere? Or would you rather replace it with a positive atmosphere? Hold on to your gripes and complaints. Keep your judgments and your irritations to yourself. It doesn't help anyone when you fire off those "negativity bullets." The people you complain about become negative, the people who read or hear your gripes become negative, and it keeps you in that grey unhealthy spot. I understand that sometimes that stuff just needs to come out, but instead of exploding or infecting others with it, you can jot it down on a piece of paper and come back to it later when you can turn your attention to it and any possible resolutions.
Number two: This one might be easier than the first on this list but it's no less important. Make it a point to greet strangers you see on the street with a smile and a simple "hello" or a "good morning." It feels great to receive pleasantries and it feels just as good to notice the effects they have on people. I do this all the time and sometimes the smiles I get are worth a mint.
Number three: Try slowing your response time when having a conversation. This is a step you might not normally think about but when you're talking to someone and they're quick to respond, you'll notice the tension rise. Take a conversation where the people involved fire off responses like a tennis volley, and you've got a conversation that could quickly turn into an argument or at the very least, bring stress levels up higher than they should be. This applies to online as well. I've been guilty of expecting a sudden response because I've gotten used to the "instant gratification" that technology has given us. Now that I'm learning to relax, realize that it isn't crucial to get the response right away... just as it isn't crucial to give one.
Number four: Try laughing more. I used to tell people that I wasn't a fan of comedies. They's shake their heads in disbelief and say, " but you're such a funny guy... what do you mean you don't like comedies?" I'd have to explain that I was always disappointed with the comedies of today because none of them made me laugh. My trouble back then was that I wouldn't allow myself to find something funny in the films that I'd watch. You can find something funny in everything. These days, I'm watching movies I wouldn't have before and I'm playing more and more practical jokes and... I am allowing myself to laugh. I laugh at myself and and everything around me, and I feel better for it. Also, when others see you laughing, they won't be able to help laughing as well.
Number five: You might have seen this coming but #5 is something I've been promoting for about a month. Share something good. There is always something good around us, we just don't always choose to see it. Make it a point to share a funny story or tell someone in your life some of the good things that surround you. Trust me, doing this will prove to be very effective. I post my good things on Facebook all the time and the response is really amazing. It's something that's branched off to others beyond my original expectations and they're passing it on to their friends. Every day I get emails thanking me for the positive posts and every time it makes me smile to know I've made a difference.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Good Things Always Come Back
When you pull into a grocery store parking lot and a man comes up to you asking for change, how do you usually respond? If you're like me, most of the time you dismiss them and say "sorry." I would love to be able to feed the homeless in my town with whatever extra change I have but the truth is, there is no extra change. And I'll admit that when I see the same woman asking for change for three years straight claiming she's pregnant and needs to feed her unborn child, it gets annoying. What I'd like to do is give that woman some tips on how to pan handle more effectively but that isn't really the right thing to do, is it?
I actually enjoy giving these people money when I can, but I'm picky about who I choose to help. Years ago, I befriended several of the homeless wandering around California's Mendocino. I got to know these guy's stories and I knew what they did with the money they scrounged for. If I listened to the buzz on the streets, I could hear the wealthy tourists talk about how they know for a fact that these people begging for change for a cup of coffee, actually have homes of their own and drive nice cars. That is a myth that came from someone too selfish to care about the truth. I don't think we should have to give these people money... I think it's a personal preference. It actually makes me feel good to give something if I can. If I can't, I don't sweat it. I'd give my homeless pals rides or buy them lunch, and in the simple gestures of kindness, we forged very strong forever lasting bonds. Once, several years ago, my wife and I were having dinner at a favorite eatery and we noticed a guy sitting in the lawn of this place. I just walked up to him and handed him $10. He was extremely grateful. We went in and had dinner and I didn't think about it again until we were leaving and he came up to me with this little wire cross that he twisted together just for me. There was talent in that man. I've seen craftsmanship like this before at art fairs and I am telling you that I got off pretty cheap for $10. He also showered me with "thank you" and "God bless you, sir" and I may be wrong in this, but I think it made me happier than it made him. It felt really good.
Well, just the other day, I saw a man sitting by the grocery store eating noodles in a cup and drinking a nice hot coffee. He had a rolled up blanket and a suitcase with all his worldly belongings beside him. As I walked up, I watched him drop his breakfast on the ground and he looked shattered. Hunger does strange things to people. It's one of the most desperate feelings known to man. I reached out and handed this guy $8. He was very appreciative and when I asked him his name, he paused for a minute. He said his name was Mac and asked mine. I told him my name and said that now he could get something to replace the food he lost. I went in and did my shopping and that was the end of it. Mac was at the store a few days ago, as well. When he saw me, he waved and called me by name. He told me that his name was really Pete but because he didn't know me, he didn't want to tell me who he really was. I smiled and accepted that for what it was. He reached into his pocket and pulled out $3. He said he wanted to pay me back for the money he borrowed from me, the day he dropped his noodles. Talk abut a tear jerker. As of the writing of this blog, I am a struggling father with no job, trying to feed my family... but I'm still better off than this man, and here he was trying to pay me back for money he felt was borrowed. I told him to keep and and I shook his hand. Now, every time I see him, he waves and he tells people nearby, "that's Eblison!"
You don't have to feed the hungry or cloth the homeless... it isn't your responsibility. But it helps more than just one person if you do. I'm not trying to preach or guilt anyone into doing something they don't want to, but I'm telling you that giving to the needy is a good thing... and good things always come back.
I actually enjoy giving these people money when I can, but I'm picky about who I choose to help. Years ago, I befriended several of the homeless wandering around California's Mendocino. I got to know these guy's stories and I knew what they did with the money they scrounged for. If I listened to the buzz on the streets, I could hear the wealthy tourists talk about how they know for a fact that these people begging for change for a cup of coffee, actually have homes of their own and drive nice cars. That is a myth that came from someone too selfish to care about the truth. I don't think we should have to give these people money... I think it's a personal preference. It actually makes me feel good to give something if I can. If I can't, I don't sweat it. I'd give my homeless pals rides or buy them lunch, and in the simple gestures of kindness, we forged very strong forever lasting bonds. Once, several years ago, my wife and I were having dinner at a favorite eatery and we noticed a guy sitting in the lawn of this place. I just walked up to him and handed him $10. He was extremely grateful. We went in and had dinner and I didn't think about it again until we were leaving and he came up to me with this little wire cross that he twisted together just for me. There was talent in that man. I've seen craftsmanship like this before at art fairs and I am telling you that I got off pretty cheap for $10. He also showered me with "thank you" and "God bless you, sir" and I may be wrong in this, but I think it made me happier than it made him. It felt really good.
Well, just the other day, I saw a man sitting by the grocery store eating noodles in a cup and drinking a nice hot coffee. He had a rolled up blanket and a suitcase with all his worldly belongings beside him. As I walked up, I watched him drop his breakfast on the ground and he looked shattered. Hunger does strange things to people. It's one of the most desperate feelings known to man. I reached out and handed this guy $8. He was very appreciative and when I asked him his name, he paused for a minute. He said his name was Mac and asked mine. I told him my name and said that now he could get something to replace the food he lost. I went in and did my shopping and that was the end of it. Mac was at the store a few days ago, as well. When he saw me, he waved and called me by name. He told me that his name was really Pete but because he didn't know me, he didn't want to tell me who he really was. I smiled and accepted that for what it was. He reached into his pocket and pulled out $3. He said he wanted to pay me back for the money he borrowed from me, the day he dropped his noodles. Talk abut a tear jerker. As of the writing of this blog, I am a struggling father with no job, trying to feed my family... but I'm still better off than this man, and here he was trying to pay me back for money he felt was borrowed. I told him to keep and and I shook his hand. Now, every time I see him, he waves and he tells people nearby, "that's Eblison!"
You don't have to feed the hungry or cloth the homeless... it isn't your responsibility. But it helps more than just one person if you do. I'm not trying to preach or guilt anyone into doing something they don't want to, but I'm telling you that giving to the needy is a good thing... and good things always come back.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Positivity Changes Everything
Eighteen days ago, on April 1st, I started what I call the Tell Me Something Good campaign. What happened is that I got up in the morning and thought about putting together my Sunday radio show. I went online to look at the news and read my email. Fighting in Libya, radiation in Japan, the unemployed in America... what a grey cloud to wake up to. I immediately turned away from the news online and looked to my friends on Facebook for something more pleasant. What I got was a newsfeed full of gripes and complaints and personal grievances that made the grey cloud even darker. Is this what we do now? Is this how we stay connected to our friends online, by complaining about our annoying neighbors or moaning and groaning about every other little thing that bothers us? Why spread that grief with the rest of the world? I understand that people get angry or frustrated with the problems that surround them, but there is this "obligation" some people have to pass that on to everybody else. So, after reading a handful of negative and upsetting downer Facebook status posts, I decided to look for some good news. I typed, "tell me something good" into my browser, like I was just blindly reaching into the sky for the answer... and you know what happened? My prayers were answered by the great internet gods. I was taken to Lemonade Life where author Allison Blass talked about a classmate in college who, every time they met, would say to her, "Tell me something good." That is exactly what people should be spreading, not their own personal drama. So that morning, April 1st, I posed a challenge to all of my Facebook friends. I asked them to make the first thing they posted something good. I suggested doing it for 7 days, but since then I've noticed that spreading positivity for a week makes the week go by so quickly. People read my posts everyday and share their good thing for the day and some have even asked me to start a blog retelling my experiences with this experiment. Well, here's the blog... though I refuse to call it an experiment. The Tell Me Something Good campaign is a way of thinking that I hope shifts and reshapes the way we interact with people daily. It'll help us get through the hard days and it will make the good days great, because positivity changes everything. So go ahead, tell me something good.
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