#FF Wonderful Weekend Review: #Psychology, #Songs 4 the Soul & Sunday #Comics

Click HERE to see the whole magazine

Thought for the Day: Today's magazine has more comics than usual. Somehow, I kept finding funny photos, GIFs and video clips, so I kept adding them. Don't miss, the amazing gif on the cover, the walk on water or water skiing that demonstrates how to make the best of a bad situation. Although the funny and inspirational quotes may distract you, interspersed among them are some great serious articles related to psychology. There's a report on why adolescents don't sleep well and a Harvard researcher's findings on "thinking dispositions." The story of the accomplishments of a man with Down's Syndrome can be an inspiration to parents of people with special needs. There is also a touching story of how the Utah Jazz Basketball team helped a young boy with cancer accomplish his dream. Finaly, for songs for the soul, I chose a new song by Neil Young, "Who's Gonna Stand Up." I love the message, but the orchestration doesn't work too well for me. What do you think? I also found a great video clip of Eric Clapton's pick of the best guitar rendition of "Hey Jude."

Have a great end of the weekend! Tomorrow I plan to begin to share the stories behind people's 2 word advice to their younger selves and what we all can learn from their words of wisdom. If you have not shared your 2 cents, I mean words yet, feel free to add them. Here's the initial assignment photo:

Click to read more about this research assignment

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom: Three Ways Grudges Are Like Malignant Tumors

Thought for the Day: In light of the Days of Awe which I discussed on Tuesday, accounting for misdeeds towards others is on my mind. Today's quote came to me from years of work with individuals and couples in therapy.

"Grudges are like malignant tumors, left untreated, they will destroy any relationship."

Unlike tumors, there are no benign grudges. When people hold grudges, it always causes harm. A grudge is one way of expressing anger. We don't tend to hold grudges against strangers. We reserve the "honor" for friends and family members. What many people don't realize is that holding grudges can be harmful to your health. Here's three ways that grudges are like malignant tumors...

#FF Friday's Fabulous Finds: Dyslexia, Children's eBook App, Happiness, Travel Tips, Instagrandma, and 9/11

Click to go to this week's #FF Flipboard Magazine

Thought for the Day: This week's #FF Fabulous Finds  are another mixed bag of finds. Today's finds include new research on the causes and treatment of Dyslexia which offers hope to families helping children with the reading disorder. There is also an article about a newApp for Kids to encourage them to find and read e-books that look and feel like real books. Two articles offer suggestions of ways to improve your life and be happier. Since summer is coming, I've included a very long article to help you travel to exotic places around the world for $50 a day. The story on how Instagram is helping a an #Instagrandma who is dealing with cancer live life to the fullest is clearly inspiring. Finally with the opening of the 9/11 museum this week, I chose an article on how one daughter who lost her mother on 9/11 is using film to try to prevent tragedies like 9/11 from occurring again. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Sunday's Comic Strips: A Mother's Day Request in Honor of My Mother and Grandmother

"I Childproofed my house but they still get in."

Thought for the Day: Sundays are usually dedicated to comics, so I shared one above which I found at Mel's Commonwealth Cafe in Wayland MA. It is a great cafe with some amazing memorabilia. Sometimes, all mothers might like to childproof their houses and keep their kids out for a while. However, they also have moments when their children let them know they are actually listening and learning the life lessons they hope to teach them. My grandson gave me one of those moments a few days ago & I'd like to share it with you here on Mother's Day. Since I happened to have the precious moment on my phone's answering machine, I created a 30 second video dedicated to my mother and grandmother who are not here to celebrate Mother's Day. I know I am prejudiced, but he left a very mature request for an 11 year old that I hope you will appreciate.

I wish my mother and grandmother could hear Bradley's request. They would be so so proud if they could hear how he and all their great and great-great grandchildren are doing. Listen in...

     After I donated, I received a thank you note from Bradley, so he is learning to thank those who help him as well. Below I'm sharing the link to the Relay for Life sponsored by The American Cancer Society that Bradley is participating in. If you want to donate, I'm sure he would appreciate it. It seems like a good thing to do on Mother's Day!  
      Thanks to my daughters, they are continuing the legacy which my mother and grandmother gave to me to care for others and help make the world a better place. I am very proud of Bradley's mom, a single mom who has recently completed her Masters Degree and is a Special Education Teacher. She is teaching her children to help others, even when finances are tight. Happy Mothers Day to you as well!
Here's the link:

http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=59082&pg=personal&px=37109044&utm_source=app_smp_email_cd&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Relay_For_Life&s_src=boundlessfundraising&s_subsrc=bfIphEmPpMypg

Motivational Monday: What We All Can Learn from a Three Year Old About Giving

Thought for the Day: There are many things we learn from our children. However, young teachers like three year old Emily James are rare. Today, I am sharing a video showing how Emily can teach all of us about caring and giving generously. Surely little Emily was only able to teach this lesson because her parents taught her the importance of giving to children in need. Many parents would be reluctant to speak with a small child about a life threatening disease. However, Emily's parents seemed to understand that the psychological benefits of teaching a child about helping others outweighed any fears they may have had. They were able to explain cancer in a way that even a toddler could understand and empathize with other children's challenges. See how they helped her grasp the concept and want to help. Could you be missing opportunities like these to teach your children about giving and being empathic? Take a look... 

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: "Brave" by Sara Bareilles with a Video That Will Touch Your heart

Thought for the Day: I have heard the song "Brave" on the radio and found the lyrics inspiring, but when I searched for the song on YouTube, I found an even more inspiring video that gives the song an even more powerful message, which brought tears to the eyes of singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles, who created the hit song. 

#FF 5 of #Top10 Friday's Fabulous Finds 2013

Thought for the Day: I have dedicated the month of January to three things: 1) celebrating the 2nd anniversary of writing the blog with over 81,000 page views in just 2 years, 2) a look back on the #Top10 posts from 2013 in the various categories covered by my blog, and 3) new beginnings with new posts and ideas to help you redesign your lives and start moving towards a future that include your dreams. #FF Friday's Fabulous was one of the new posts added to the blog in January 2013. It has been a popular series on the blog bringing a mix of informative research articles, videos and inspirational stories that I find over the course of the week. Here are 5 of your favorites Fabulous Finds which had the most page views last year. In two weeks I will share the #Top5 of 2013.

Thursday's Psychology Trivia: The Best Psychology Trivia of 2013

Thought for the Day: Since we are starting a new year & celebrating the 2nd anniversary of this blog, over the next couple of weeks, I will be posting the top 10 posts from each category of blog posts. Thanks to all those who have been reading & commenting on the blog. I appreciate your support & am thrilled that there have been close to 80,000 page views in just 2 years! As you can see in the picture we have one candle to grow on & hope to continue bringing you informative posts about the field of psychology & personal growth! Feel free to comment & nominate your favorites from 2013. Today I am starting with 5 of the top 10 Psychology Trivia Posts.

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: An Uplifting Tribute to Zach Sobiech & Art Looking for a Title

Image looking for a title by Michael Bogdanow Suggestions welcome

Thought for the Day:  When I viewed this video earlier this week, I  knew I had to share it today on Songs for the Soul. It is a very moving tribute to Zach Sobiech, a songwriter who who died of cancer at age 18. In a video about his last days of life, he said, "You don't have to know you are dying to start living." Last May I posted Zach singing this song, Clouds, a few days after he passed away. It is hard not to tear up while listening to this as many of the members of the choir were also wiping tears as they sang. His parents were there as well. His song is offering support to his loved ones and generating donations to fight cancer.

This morning, on Facebook, my brother, Michael Bogdanow, posted the amazing new piece of art which I posted above, with a request for suggestions for a title. I asked his permission to post the image on my blog & he graciously agreed. I am biased, since he is my brother, but really love the image & think it fits with the song which I had chosen days ago. So please feel free to post ideas for titles to the image above.

Friday's Fabulous Finds: MS, Valerie Harper, Body Language, Bullying & a Dancing Queen

Thought for the Day: Here are 5 Fabulous Finds from a wide range of subjects. Hope you enjoy them & have a great final week of the summer!

1) My 1st Fabulous Find is an article, MS Misdiagnosed as an Anxiety Attack, part of a series called MS Fitness Challenge by David Lyon.

2) Valerie Harper's performance on Dancing With the Stars is another tribute to the power of never giving up on dreams. Harper is contending with brain cancer & outliving the doctor's prognosis. Here's a video from the show.

3) Here's a some additional evidence on the power of "pretending" which we discussed this week in the Psychology Trivia posts. Social Psychologist Amy Cuddy demonstrates how body language affects how others see us and how it  may also change how we see ourselves. Take a look at this TED video which shows how " 'power posing' -- standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident -- can affect testosterone & cortisol levels in the brain, & might even have an impact on our chances for success. "   

4) My fourth Fabulous Find is Dear Santa: Make Kids Stop Bullying My Sister.

5) Finally a story about how a funny Dancing Queen video went viral and landed a job for the woman in the video.

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: Unfinished Song (The Movie)

 

This week Saturday's Songs for the Soul Invites You To Go to the Movies

Thought for the Day: Last week I went to see a wonderful film, Unfinished Song. I decided to tell you about it this week. When I took a look at the movie preview, I realized that it does not do the movie justice. All I will tell you is that the acting is outstanding & the story is heartfelt & moving. There is a balance of comedy, drama & inspiration as the characters face the challenges of life, love & loss. I'm putting the trailer here, but you may enjoy the movie more if you simply go to the theater & see it 1st. The movie is all about the power of music, singing, relationships & taking second chances. Next week I will have more information to tell you about the free promotion I will be offering, so stay tuned, you do not want to miss this opportunity. Have a wonderful weekend.

Here's what the filmakers wrote about it on YouTube.com:

"Published on Jun 18, 2013

http://www.joblo.com - "Unfinished Song" - Official Trailer

UNFINISHED SONG is the funny & uplifting story of Arthur (Terence Stamp), a curmudgeonly old soul perfectly content with sticking to his dull daily routine until his beloved wife (Vanessa Redgrave) introduces him to a spirited local singing group led by the youthful & charming Elizabeth (Gemma Arterton). This unexpected friendship & his discovery of music revitalizes Arthur's passion for new adventures & shows us all life should be celebrated at any age.

Official Site: http://weinsteinco.com/sites/unfinish...

Director: Paul Andrew Williams

Cast: Terence Stamp, Gemma Arterton, Vanessa Redgrave , Christopher Eccleston

Writers: Paul Andrew Williams

In theaters: June 21st, 2013

Copyright © 2013 Weinstein Company"

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/opensourceway/4371001868/

#FF Friday's Fabulous Finds: Free Psychology Classes, Books, & Excuses to Give

Thought for the Day: This week, the blog looked at the psychology of free offers (Why We Have a Love/Hate Relationship with Free Offers, Psychology Trivia, Steve Jobs on Time, Money & Free Offers). We did this in preparation for our Amazon.com free e-book giveaway of The Wake Up and Dream Challenge, by Dr. Barbara Lavi. The book teaches how to go out & capture your dreams. Often on Fridays we share fabulous finds that tell stories of people giving to others, but this week, in addition to stories about giving, we found some ways for you to capture free giveaways.

Patricia Celan, Miss B.C. Pageant Contestant
Our  first find from the The Huffington Post B.C (July 6, 2013) includes a video that shows a gift you would never expect at a beauty pageant. Immediately after beauty queens are crowned they usually walk up & down an aisle waving to fans smiling & wiping tears of joy. However, Patricia Celan who had just won the Miss B.C. Pageant did something surprisingly different to help others. See the pictures, which reveal the true inner beauty this woman portrays as she gives to a cause close to her heart.  Click here to see what she did...

Giving Blood, Giving Life By Brian Boyle  July 10, 2013
Have you ever found yourself making an excuse for why you can’t donate blood? You don’t have the time, or it makes you feel queasy. How about making excuses to donate? Here are two.

9 Free Online Psychology Classes By: David Arney
Have you ever wanted to take a psychology class at MIT, Yale or Berkeley? Would you like to learn about the psychology of happiness, new views of depression, abnormal psychology, gender differences or problems of communication? Did you ever think you could take classes like these for free? With the magic of modern technology & the generosity of many major universities, you can! Read more about these free offerings & go for it....

15 Web Sites for Finding Deals Online From Kiplinger By Cameron Huddleston,  May 2012
Ever wonder where you can find the best deals online? This easy-to-use guide can be your savior. Find the 15 best websites to shop for deals on the internet, sorted into categories for simple use.

Now, for a more personal giveaway opportunity that will definitely come in handy for those long summer days lounging at the beach. Every day, e-books are given away free on Amazon (www.amazon.com). By simply logging online here, you can download countless books in minutes, ready to read just by connecting to the internet. You don’t have to own a kindle or a nook, you can download these books onto your computer for FREE! Check back daily to get some free books, & be sure to view The Wake Up and Dream Challenge. Free e-book promotions change daily & don’t last forever, but they are a great way to find summer reads. The Wake Up and Dream Challenge will be available for free in the next couple weeks.We will let you know in advance so that you can grab & copy & share it with your friends. More details will be announced soon!

Thanks to Dream Team Steph for helping find & prepare this post! Have a great weekend!



Photo from Creative Commons on Flickr.com
http-/www.flickr.com/photos/45581782@N00/10211590

#FF Friday's Fabulous Finds: Children & Young Adults Making a Difference & Summer Suggestions

Thought for the Day: It's time for #FF Friday's Fabulous Finds. Today I have found two types of finds. First I bring several inspiring stories about children, teens & young adults making a difference helping others. Then I have two great suggestions to make this summer your best summer ever. I hope you like these finds & come back for Saturday's Songs for the Soul & Sunday's Comic Strips. Have a great weekend!

Children & Young Adults Making a Difference:

Aimee Copeland*

Flesh-eating Bacteria Survivor, Aimee Copeland's Goal: Helping Others. You may have heard about 24 year old Aimee Copeland's ordeal. Due to a flesh eating bacteria, she lost limbs & nearly lost her life. You may not be aware of her progress & dreams for the future. She is truly an inspiration. 

High School student discovers new treatment for Cancer This 17 year old high school student's accomplishments will restore your confidence in public education!

Photo from alexslemonade.org

One Small Step Against Cancer  An inspirational video on how one child's efforts continue to bring hope to countless children with cancer.  Video from CBS Sunday Morning

8 year old fixing 67 yr mistake How an 8 year old made a difference. Video from CBS Sunday Morning

 

Summer Suggestions, ways to make this summer your best summer ever:

Innovative program helping people try out new professions on vocation vacations. I often suggest to clients that they may want to try a profession before they quit their day job. This website makes that option super easy.

If you have children & want to have a more positive summer at home try this contract.    Stefanie Mullen (co-author of Chicken Soup for the Girlfriend's Soul) offers this free, easy to download & customize contract to help you structure your children & teens' lives this summer.

*Aimee Copeland Photo from BuckheadPatch article

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: Clouds, A Young Cancer Victim's Legacy

Photo from FlickrCC.com*

Thought for the Day: On Wednesday's Words of Wisdom, psychiatrist, Elizabeth Kubler Ross's words related to her pioneering research which has helped countless people deal with death & critical illnesses. Today's Song for the Soul selection is by a young singer songwriter, Zach Sobiech, who used his musical talents to help cope with osteosarcoma. His music led to over 4 million hits on YouTube, touching all those who heard it. This week he lost a 4 year battle with cancer at just 18 years of age. His memory & mission to find a cure for childhood cancer will live on through his inspirational song, "Clouds, " which the congregation sang at his funeral. The song will help fund research to save lives of other children affected by cancer.


*Photo from FlickrCC.com

www.flickr.com/photos/57917705@N00/88699234

Thursday's Trivia Answer: Friendship the Secret Weapon in the Fight Against Cancer

Thought for the Day: It's Thursday & time for the answer to Tuesday's Psychological Trivia question:      

         True or False:
               Friendships can make cancer become less deadly.

The answer is true. Friendships are the secret weapon in fighting cancer (& other serious illnesses.).Research indicates that having strong social supports can improve the prognosis of cancer patients. Researcher has (1) found that “Social well-being in the first year after cancer diagnosis is a significant prognostic factor for breast cancer recurrence or mortality." They suggest that maintaining or enhancing social support for women soon after their breast cancer diagnosis is a way to improve outcomes. It has also been found to improve recovery from ovarian cancer (2), strokes (3), & colorectal cancer in men (4). (Other studies report similar benefits of friendships for patients following cardiac arrests, preventing memory loss & with depression.) Given these findings, it is important to find ways to make & nurture friendships to help improve the outcomes of serious illnesses. Having a network of friends is like an insurance policy for the challenges that life puts in our path. Tomorrow on Friday's Fabulous Finds & next week we will continue to look at both the importance of friendships & how to build them. A few of the finds relate to ways to this topic. Have a great end ot the week!

If you would like to read more about how friendships & social support can help fight cancer & other serious illnesses, here are a few articles:

1) Breast cancer: Social Support May Improve Breast Cancer Outcomes form the
Journal of Clinical Oncology They found that, "Social well-being at six months after diagnosis was linked with both survival and risk of recurrence. Women with the highest level of social well-being had a 38% reduction in risk of death and a 48% reduction in risk of recurrence. The aspects of social well-being that appeared to provide the most benefit were marriage and family, social support, and interpersonal relationships."
2) Ovarian Cancer A study finds social support and other behavioral factors are related to levels of a circulating protein which at high levels is associated with a poor prognosis in advanced ovarian cancer.

3)   Stroke "Social support had no effects on rehabilitation of light clinical neural functional default of patients with stroke(P>0.05), but it had effects on rehabilitation of moderate and severe clinical neural functional default of patients with stroke"

4)  Harvard Cancer study Low social support was associated with higher risk of both colorectal cancer incidence and mortality in men.

Tuesday's Psychological Trivia: Can Friendship Make Cancer Less Deadly?

Thought for the Day: Yesterday, I began a series of posts on the impact of friendship on mental health. Over the next two or three weeks, I will be sharing posts on how friendships impact on our psychological well being & how to enhance friendships. Today's psychological trivia question relates to the impact of friendship on physical health. How do friendships impact on our prognosis when we are dealing with life threatening illnesses?  What do you think?
        True or False:
               Friendships can make cancer become less deadly.
 Come back tomorrow for Wednesday's Words of Wisdom & on Thursday for the answer to today's question. 

#FF Friday's Fabulous Finds: Easy Activism, NPO Helps Other NPO's, Marathon Winners, Operation Beautiful

Thought for the Day: This week has been an exciting week for me. I have not had time to reflect & write about my trip to Washington DC yet. As a psychologist, the parallels between the issues related to bullying & the gun lobby in Washington are ironic. On Monday, I plan to write about my observations of this phenomenon. In the meantime, my 1st Fab find gives some easy ways that you can get involved & help Moms Demand Action. Even if you have never been politically active before check it out. On twitter, I found an innovative nonprofit organization that offers support to other nonprofit organizations. In these rough financial times, their support will be a welcome service. If you know an NPO that could use some help, pass this information on. My third find is a story about a father who is facing the challenge of brain cancer by running marathons with his 5 year old daughter. Finally, I found it refreshing to see teen age girls encouraging their peers to go makeup free. Have a great weekend & enjoy these finds! I hope you will come back on Saturday for Saturday's Songs for the Soul & Sunday's Comic Strips & on Monday for Motivational Mondays. -->

I am honored to be standing behind Nancy Pelosi

1) Moms Demand Action is the main page of this grassroots revolution that has grown from one mom's web page to 80,000 members & 80 chapters across the USA since 12/14/2012. On this page they have several short videos including one showing how to make phone call to your congressmen & phone numbers of some senators who have voted against the current legislation.

     In addition they have an amazing page that includes easy click & tweet options to let your elected officials know you want them to support the anti-gun legislation being voted on now in the senate & tweets to let the world know the facts about gun violence in America

  -->

2) Kerstner Foundation offers free websites& other services for Nonprofits.

  -->

 
3) An truly inspiring story of true marathon winners. A father running for his life & making sure his 5 year old daughter knows her father's legacy first hand.

  

4) How some teenage girls from Texas are encouraging their peers be themselves & to go Make Up Free: Operation Beautiful.

 
 
 

Saturday's Songs for the Soul: Beth Nielsen Chapman Songs, Creativity & Therapy

Thought for the Day: I hinted yesterday in #FF Friday's Fabulous Finds that I had a treat in store for you on Saturday's Songs for the Soul. I have had the honor of getting to know Beth Nielsen Chapman when she taught at one of the songwriting retreats I organized a about ten years ago. Since then our paths have crossed several times & I consider it a gift to know her personally. On Beth's website they note that in addition to writing hits for other artists, "Beth Nielsen Chapman, Nashville based singer-songwriter,... breast cancer survivor, environmental activist, teacher of workshops & lecturer on the magic of creativity, which she believes is a birthright of everyone." Beth writes straight from her heart & soul.  Her songs usually come to her as melodies to which she adds nonsense syllables. Even though she has no idea what the song will be about, miraculously, the words, when the song is completed, usually match the vowel sounds of the original nonsense syllables. Many of her songs were written when challenged by illness & loss as her own therapy. Her inner strength & spirituality have inspired countless others as they confront life's challenges.

      Her songs have been covered by many top artists in multiple genres including Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Bette Midler, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, The Indigo Girls, Michael McDonald, Amy Grant, Keb Mo’, Roberta Flack, Waylon Jennings, Faith Hill, Willie Nelson, & many more. 

         I chose three of Beth's songs for your Saturday listening enjoyment & inspiration:

 

Sand & Water was written following the death of her husband from cancer when her son (who is now grown) was only 12 years old. Elton John covers this song in concerts in honor of Princess Diana. It captures the essence of grief from a time when Beth reports that she thought she would never sing again. It was such a personal song that it was hard for her to make minor changes so that a man could sing it. (This version is live with Kieran Goss)

Happy Girl, which became a Country hit for by Martina Mc Bride, represents coming out of the dark of mourning & back to life.

The melody from Every December Sky came to Beth before she even knew she was diagnosed with Cancer. She speaks about this melody as a gift from a higher power (like many of her songs) that strengthened her & helped her through the process of treatment & recovery.

I encourage you to listen to these & other inspiring songs (there are great love songs, This Kiss, a touching visit with an ailing friend in the hospital, Emily, & a song about a woman with Alzheimers, Child Again)  by Beth. I hope you will come back for Sunday's Comic Strips & Motivational Monday's posts. Next week I will be participating in some exciting events at Capital Hill when I join a nonpartisan group, Moms Demand Action. I will be one of 250 Moms (and dads) from across the USA that will Take the Hill. I will be blogging from Washington DC. So I look forward to sharing some great experiences with you. Have a great weekend!

Would You Stop Running a Race to Help a Competitor?

Seth Goldstein, Last Place Winner

Thought for the day: What would you do? Would you stop & help a competitor while running a race or run on like the rest of the pack? Are we running past people in need without even realizing it?

Today, I saw a story about a 17 year old Tennessee High School senior, Seth Goldstein, (pictured above) who was running a cross country race when he saw another competitor drop to the ground. He was the only runner in the race to stop to help the student from another high school. He called his parents & had them dial 911. He kept his wits when he saw that the boy was bleeding from the mouth & turned him on his side so that he would not choke on the blood. When the runner began to have a seizure he held him, told him he would be all right & reassured him that help was on the way. After the paramedics came, he stayed till he was sure the boy was all right. Then he asked if he could complete the race. The paramedics had not even realized that the young man was in the middle of a competition. He came in last, but he in my mind is the real winner of the race.

We all would like to think that we would stop & help someone in a similar situation, but don't really know until a situation arises. As I thought about this incident, other less obvious situations came to mind. Several of my posts have addressed the psychology of bullying & bi-standers who do not step forward to help someone being bullied, even when they disapprove. Our lives at times become like races. We run from place to place, taking care of work and family obligations. In this day & age, when people are anxious about their jobs or unemployed, the race becomes even more hectic. As we run the race of life, do we sometimes pass by those in need of assistance? When we hear about a charity or a worthy cause, do we feel too poor or too busy, with our own troubles to help someone with greater needs than our own. Working with the nonprofit organizations featured in my book and others I have been supporting since writing my book, I know that many nonprofit organizations are struggling to raise funds in these tough economic times.

Over the past few months, I have written about some of these amazing organizations that help people reach for their dreams. Most recently, I posted "It Takes A Cell Phone To Raise a Child," a call to register your cell phone to help keep children, disabled & elderly citizens safe from harm when they go missing. A Child Is Missing has facilitated the safe return of over 1,000 missing people. It does not cost a penny, just some time to give them your number. Did you stop your race to register your cell phone? In another post I raised the question of whether social media is leading to social inaction. Another post talks about two organizations using dolls as therapeutic tools for homeless children & children struggling with Cancer.  In another post I wrote about, Simon's Fund, another organization featured in & benefiting from my book, helps screen children for otherwise invisible heart conditions that can be life threatening if they are not detected. Voices Against Brain Cancer is working to try to end a disease that is taking so many people. My list goes on & there are many others.

I hope you will be inspired by Seth's selfless act of caring for someone in need & stop to take some time to read about these organizations & find a way to help them. If you can't afford to donate money, donate some time. I am building teams of volunteer interns to help. Let me know if you would like to help with social media or other activities.