Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause, and he is legion

[havocmom]

Family on a bad luck streak finds out just how loving people can be to strangers.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/12/25/christmas.giving.blog/index.html

Sorta reaffirms my faith that most people will do good, even become heroes, when they see an opportunity with a clearly defined need. A hero is just a regular person who saw what needed to be done, and instead of looking away, just did it.

These are the people we, as a society, should venerate, idolize, hold up as role models. We need to pay more attention to the good, decent people all around us, and perhaps less to the self-aggrandizing egos we see too often in media. We would feel better ourselves, and be empowered to be part of a solution.

Pogo was right, all those years ago: We have met the enemy and he is us. But there is a corollary: We have met the hero, and he is us.

Merry Christmas to all you heroes I love from afar....

And may we all find the extra fiver in our wallets when the opportunity to be a hero to some luckless neighbor presents its self. May we all find a wee surge of energy when someone needs a helping hand with a task impossible to do alone. May we all find our hearts grow enough to help another meet a daunting challenge. May we all utilize the renewable resources of power, love and caring every day. That will assure a better new year, all around.

May your days be Merry and Bright, and your soul rest easy, come night.

[hfojvt]

1. k & r for some positive news

although lazy old me did not click the link. I appreciate the OP anyway, and will add this here instead of starting a thread, by H.W. Longfellow

"I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

[havocmom]

2. thanks, hfojvt

the link takes you to a story about how someone used blogging to try and get a little help for an out of luck family facing foreclosure, and how strangers came through more than the blogger could have dreamed.

There is love and caring in the world. And that means there is still hope.

[blaze]

3. Now *that's* a Christmas Story!!

Thanks so much for the link. :)

[havocmom]

5. The more stories like that we bring up for people to learn about,

the more stories like that will happen.

I am fed up with the "Greed is good" mantra from the Reagan years. Greed is greed. Period. Helping and being humane is good. The more we remind people of THAT value, the more of it people will engage in.

You're welcome for the link. Now, go out and spread the cheer. :hug:

[Obamanaut]

4. That was very nice. Maybe more folks would do good deeds,

but just don't know what to do because it seems so overwhelming. And then comes something that sorta says, "You can do this little thing" and so it begins.

My daughter was just over for a short visit and said out of the blue "Dad, you should become a guardian ad litem." I think I will.

[havocmom]

6. unfamiliar with the term: guardian ad litem so I googled it

Yes, more people getting into advocacy would certainly make a huge difference. Can you imagine the ripple effect in just a couple of generations

Great DUer merh had a tread on the ripple effect long ago. Cannot find my link as it is bookmarked on a long deceased computer. If anyone has it, it would be a great addition to many posts here today.

[hfojvt]

7. this may be it

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/merh/74

although I thought this one on the lightworker was close too

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/merh/117

[havocmom]

8. Yep, that's the one! Thanks.

Silly me, I forget to take a moment and hunt journals too.

Will bookmark that again. It is most handy to have it when someone gets discouraged and doubts they can make the world better.