Category Archives: History & Politics

Good Find Friday: Boston – How to Help

Posted on by Michelle Mains

I was in a restaurant with big screen TVs on Monday for lunch.  In the middle of a fun conversation, the headlines from Boston flashed up on the screen.  Our whole table was stunned.  Suddenly nothing else was important.  Did you feel the same way when you heard the news?

One of the best ideas I heard this week to help out was “take a first aid course”.  It’s depressing to think of needing first aid for a terrorist attack.  On the other hand, consider all the other times you may need to have some survival skills.  During a natural disaster.  With an aging family member.  Or if someone has an emergency during a school event.  So many people helped others avoid worse injuries, including hemorrhaging to death, by having some basic medical knowledge.

On Monday evening, one of my favorite tweets came from El Palon Taqueria: “Open wifi, place to charge cell, or just don’t want to be alone, food and drinks, – pay only if you can.”  In just a few words, they beautifully captured the generous spirit that often comes during disasters.  It’s a spirit worth carrying forward.

The events in Boston have even inspired some people to dust off their running shoes.  This was my favorite quote from the link below: “I ran to clear my head, but it didn’t work.  So I ran because I could.  Because the freedom of running wasn’t taken away from me.  Because the running community stretches to all cities and all places, and I’m glad to be part of it.”

This Friday, I hope you’ve found your own expression to support Boston.  If even the Yankees can pause to sing “Sweet Caroline”, so can you.  Enjoy!

Red Cross First Aid Course

Red Cross Safe and Well Site

Boston: How to Help

I’m Running For Boston

Good Find Friday: #HalfTheSky / #IWD2013

Posted on by Michelle Mains

Have you watched “Half the Sky” on PBS?  It’s an amazing documentary based on the best-selling book “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide“  by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.

Half the Sky tells about oppressive and all too common situations faced by women all over the globe.  Every story is harrowing.  At the same time, everyone you meet is incredibly engaging.  It’s all so personal.  In spite of grueling circumstances, the women are optimistic.  Somaly Mam who runs Voices for Change is typical: “We’re going to change Cambodia.  We want you to hear from us.  If you don’t listen to us, we’ll keep on talking.  We’re not tired at all.”  Yes, Somaly – we hear you.

I can’t imagine a better Good Find Friday for International Women’s Day 2013.  Enjoy!

I Have So Much To Do

Posted on by Michelle Mains

Well, we’re past the New Year celebrations and the kids are back in school.  Are you already finding yourself looking at your datebook and sighing in frustration, “I have so much to do!” 

I heard this phrase while watching an interview with writer Elie Wiesel.  If you’ve never heard of him, he is the author of over 50 books, the most famous of which is Night, a memoir of his life in Auschwitz, Buna and Buchenwald concentration camps.  After World War II, he went on to a rich life as a professor and political activist, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986.  On a side note, he lost his life savings and most of the funds of his foundation in the Bernie Madoff scandal.  Upon publication of the news, most of the funds were quickly replaced by private donors while the criminal litigation ensued.

Elie was discussing his new book, Open Heart.  At a time when his contemporaries are slowing down or enjoying retirement, he continues to keep an active travel and lecturing schedule.  When he experienced serious medical issues resulting in open heart surgery, he didn’t consider at aged 84 that it may be his time to die.  Instead of quiet resignation, he found himself telling his family and the doctors, “But I have so much to do.”

It may be Wiesel’s extraordinary life, but there was something about his statement that really caught my ear.  Unlike many business leaders and politicians of our day, it lacked the arrogance of “I’m so busy” or “I’m so important.”  I was inspired by the quiet authority and sincerity to his words.  I could tell he looked forward to the future.  He was compelled by the appointments on his calendar.  Although he’s spent the last 60 years traveling the globe, his focus is on the people he has yet to meet, places he’s never been, and more books waiting to be written.

As 2013 begins to unfold for you, think of Elie Wiesel.  We all have daily routines and unavoidable chores that make up the rhythm of life.  But we can also make welcome commitments that will enrich our lives as well as the lives of others.  You don’t need to cross continents or win awards like Elie to have an impact.  It is my good wish for you that the next time someone asks you how your week is going, you can say with confidence and optimism, “I have so much to do.”

 

Good Find Friday: Vito

Posted on by Michelle Mains

Vito is a terrific documentary about activist Vito Russo.  The stories about his political work are fascinating, but they are informed by the times in which he lived.  As our culture has changed over the last 40 years, it’s easy to forget it was common to consider gay people psychologically disturbed or even criminal.  Vito was a catalyst in changing outdated and incorrect perceptions.

The film also takes an unflinching look at conflicts within the gay community.  At the same time people were making strides to live openly and with confidence, polarizing tactics were taken by groups like ACT UP.

I have to admit I never thought there would be a cure for AIDS in my lifetime, but incredible advances are being made.  To honor World AIDS Day on December 1, take some time to watch this powerful film.  It is amazing to watch what Vito Russo accomplished, changing the mind of one person at a time.  Enjoy!

Don’t Mess With the Message

Posted on by Michelle Mains

Over the years, I’ve worked on strengthening my intuition.  Part of strengthening that muscle means being open to information as it comes, rather than letting my rational mind overrule it.  I’m not talking about earth shattering, booming voice on high messages.  I’m talking about acting on the whisper.  The feeling you get in a meeting: “don’t jump into this conversation.” Or when you get angry with someone but find yourself thinking, “If I say that, there may be no going back.”  No matter how insignificant things seem, I find myself following the guidance rather than starting in with a bunch of “wait – but why should I do this?” questions.

I was reminded of a story by inspirational author, Laura Day.  Laura has a really easy, conversational style that’s understandable and engaging if you haven’t had a chance to read some of her books.  I’m partial to Welcome To Your Crisis.

Several years ago Laura told an interesting story about 9/11.  She lives in downtown New York, and someone asked her if she had a premonition about the terrible events.  Laura said that she hadn’t, but she did have a series of small messages that came to her in the months leading up to the attacks.

Initially she got a message that her family should have backpacks.  Laura laughed as she remembered making the decision; she’s much more of a city girl than a hiker.  Nevertheless, she thought it might be fun for them to be able to go on a picnic together over the Summer, and everyone could carry lunch in their own backpack.  So she bought the backpacks.

Next, she thought it was important to keep some cash in the house.  It was kind of an odd thing to do for Laura.  She had never kept a lot of money around, but she went to the ATM, pulled out some cash, and put it away.

Then 9/11 happened.  Like the rest of the world, she was devastated; her neighborhood was in ruins.  But in the days that followed, motorcyclists began to take people out of Manhattan into New Jersey.  It was easy for her family to leave the City for a few days.  They had the $50 necessary to pay the bikers.  And they all had backpacks rather than luggage.

This week you may be facing your own internal nudge.  Follow it, even if it doesn’t initially make sense.  Like me, don’t mess with the message!

Good Find Friday: Project Night Night

Posted on by Michelle Mains

I was so charmed to run across a story about Leah Gawal earlier this week.  Huffington Post named her their “Greatest Person of the Day.”

Leah is the Michigan Community Coordinator of “Project Night Night,” a charity which gives homeless children packages containing a stuffed toy, blanket and book.  As a mother of two, Leah had some sense of the challenges these children faced.  “Everybody knows if you have crummy sleep, you have a crummy day.  And for these kids who are already facing so many challenges…they need a chance to be successful.”

There’s been a lot of chatter on the political front this week about people feeling entitled, and whether some people deserve additional help during their lives.  The team at Project Night Night are a great example of people who saw a need and decided to fill the gap.  Inspiring, no matter what side of the aisle you sit on.  Well done, ladies!

Good Find Friday: Beckham and #TeamGB

Posted on by Michelle Mains

I was completely besotted by the video of David Beckham surprising fans filming spots for Team Great Britain.  No matter how TeamGB fares for the rest of the 2012 Games, these people feel like they’ve won a gold medal.  My favorite is his tenderness with the little boy who goes to pieces.  “Shall we do some pictures?”  Yes, Becks. :D

Good Find Friday: Inside Job

Posted on by Michelle Mains

“Inside Job” was one of those pictures on my movie list that I just kept missing.  Sometimes that can be a problem with independent films.  Unlike blockbusters, they’re usually in town for just a few weeks.

I finally saw it and thought it was fantastic (and so did the Academy Awards as well as the Cannes, New York and Toronto film festivals).  It’s one of the most comprehensive and understandable stories to date of the financial meltdown of 2008 – 2009.  Admittedly, not a fun topic, but it really explains how we got to the state we found ourselves in, and how it could have been avoided.  Just when you think you’re in for a dry review of the data, you’ll find yourself engrossed by the personalities involved, from the day-to-day traders all the way to Eliot Spitzer.  After I saw one mistake compounded by another, I felt pretty good about how my kitchen table checkbook is managed, and you may too.

Give it a try – enjoy!

Good Find Friday: White House Chef

Posted on by Michelle Mains

Since it’s July 4th this week, I had to go with an All-American recommendation.  I stumbled across “White House Chef: Eleven Years, Two Presidents, One Kitchen” in the library, and really fell in love with it.  Its author, Walter Scheib, cooked for the Clintons and George W. Bush.

There are many appealing recipes, but if you’re a political junkie, you’ll enjoy the cook’s tour (literally!) of the White House.  For example, Chef Scheib tells a lovely story about cooking for Hilary Clinton during a difficult period, and how he decided on the spur of the moment to make fajitas.  After enjoying the robust lunch, Secretary Clinton called him in and said, “Walter – that was wonderful.  You know, sometimes you just need something good!”  Said like a true foodie.

You’ll enjoy hearing Chef Scheib’s stories about teaching the polite and receptive Chelsea Clinton a few basic meals before she went off to college.  I highly recommend making “Chelsea’s Chocolate Chip Cookies.”

Bon appetit!

Good Find Friday: Moyers & Company

Posted on by Michelle Mains

I’ve started watching Moyers & Company on PBS on Friday nights.  Somehow Bill Moyers finds the most interesting mix of people as guests.  I tuned in to catch the excellent Kathleen Hall Jamieson comment on the Republican primaries, and was hooked.  This is more than political conversation.  I’ve met everyone from poet Christian Wiman to former Disney executive turned media specialist, Marty Kaplan.  Although Bill is always friendly with his guests, he doesn’t hesitate to challenge them on their opinions.  I have a tendency of turning it on thinking I’ll just listen passively, but I’m always provoked about my own thoughts on the evening’s topic by the end of the hour.

If you like in-depth, intelligent and civil discussion, this show’s for you.  Enjoy!