We recently ran across a new site called Causecast. Its a great resource that is helping somewhat lesser-known, but very worthwhile, organizations gain much needed exposure by helping them get matched up with people who are passionate about the cause they support. Whether you are trying to promote a cause, or looking for ways to learn about or support one, Causecast is definitely worth a look.
-JH
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One of my enduring memories of 9/11 is the way everyone pitched in to help. Whether it was running into the buildings to help get people out, working at feeding stations to support firefighters and rescue workers, or donating money to victims families, we all found a way to get involved. Keeping that memory alive is what MyGoodDeed.Org is all about. In addition to serving as a social networking site that links users to volunteer opportunities around the country the creators are pushing to make 9/11 a National Day of Service. You can join the initiative here, and start looking for ways to make a difference in your own hometown.
-JH
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1,000 stories of ordinary people like you and me using their time, skill, and energy to impact the lives of students in local schools. That is the goal of Once Upon A School and you can help accomplish it. When you log on to their site you’ll find an idea section where can browse through various programs people are trying to start. There are also stories of people across the country who have already put their ideas into action. You can help bring one of the ideas to life, join in with what active programs are already doing, or even start something of your own.
No matter how little skill or time commitment you think you can bring you’ll find that there is something you can do to help make a difference.
-JH
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“Always tell the truth”, “Dream Big”, “Don’t Complain, Just Work Harder”. These are just a few of the principles Dr. Pausch mentions in Chapter 5, and of course he’s got great examples of each of them from his own life. My favorite maxim he shared was “look for the best in everybody” a lesson he learned while working as an Imagineer at Disney. His supervisor once said “If you wait long enough, people will impress you…everyone has a good side. Just keep waiting. It will eventually come out.”
-JH
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As the saying goes, “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” The problem is, sometimes its hard to find the man who treasures your “junk”. That’s where Freecycle comes in. The grassroots online “giving network” has over 5 million members in 4,500 local area networks around the globe. You can log on to your region and post items you want to give away or look at what other people in your area are donating as well.
In addition to helping find a home for things you don’t want, or locating items you really need, Freecycle helps ease the burden on landfills by promoting reuse, and it helps foster a sense of community and shared resources among its members. So, go through your house today, and see what you can give away. You never know what a difference your stuff might make.
-JH
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“It’s a thrill to fulfill your own childhood dreams, but as you get older, you may find that enabling the dreams of others is even more fun.”
As a husband, father, and professor, Randy Pausch was able to help many people reach their dreams. In Chapter 4 he tells some of the stories of how he went about doing this, and what he learned from helping others. From the story of one of his grad students back in the early 1990’s who wanted to work on “the next Star Wars movie” when there was no indication that new one was going to be made. To his creation of “Alice”, a software that helps people learn programming through creating computer animations and video games; and has already been downloaded by millions of people; Dr. Pausch has proved that whether you help enable the dreams of one person or the whole world, your influence is important. And even though its the other person’s dream you are helping get accomplished, you will probably come out feeling happier than the one you were helping?
Whose dreams can you use your gifts, talents, or relationships to help enable?
-JH
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“Lessons learned” is the theme of Chapter 3 in which Pausch shares several anecdotes from his life and the valuable wisdom gleened from those experiences. These stories are wonderful, but what hit me even more is how he was able to reflect on these past experiences and really find meaning in them. It made me think about how little time I dedicate to self reflection, and challenged me to do more. Just like Dr. Pausch, I love my life, and am truly thankful for the experiences of had (good and bad) now I just want to take a little more time to think about them so in the future I really live out what I’ve learned from them.
If you were going to write a book about valuable lessons from your life experiences, what would you say?
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Living out his childhood dreams is what Pausch discusses in Chapter 2. From being in zero gravity, to meeting Capt. Kirk, working for Disney, and even playing in the NFL (ok he didn’t quite make that one…but he did learn some good lessons in trying) Dr. Pausch really did make it a point to use his gifts and talents to make these goals a reality, and at the same time enjoy the journey. He still kept family first and also focused on his career, but along the way, he made time to live out dreams that were important to him which, in turn brought him great happiness.
“This is exactly how geeky, I am…I hopped into my convertible and drove over to Imagineering headquarters. It was a hot summer night and I had the soundtrack to The Lion King blasting on my stereo. Tears actually began streaming down my face as I drove past the building. Here I was the grown up version of that wide eyed eight-year-old at Disneyland.” - Dr. Randy Pausch, after arriving in California to work as an Imagineer
What childhood goals have you accomplished? How did you feel when you accomplished them?
What childhood goals would you still like to accomplish?
-JH
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Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood is home to all kinds of boutique little bistros, clubs, and coffee shops, but last night I happened to stumble upon one spot that is truly unique. The Recovery Cafe is a community dedicated to helping people find healing and hope. Whether its homelessness, abuse, drug or alcohol addiction this is the place to find help.
In addition to a warm friendly environment to develop supportive realtionships, the cafe offers a variety of recovery courses, life skills and leadership training, free meals, and fun events to anyone who needs help and is willing to commit to stay clean and sober. The Cafe is run mostly by volunteers, so if you live in the Seattle area or are visiting and want to check it out, click here to find out how you can get involved.
-JH
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“If I were a painter, I would have painted for them. If I were a musician, I would have composed music, but I am a lecturer, so I lectured.”
After finding out he only had a few months to live, Dr. Pausch considered not doing the “last lecture”, as he wanted to spend as much time as possible with his family and prepare logistical matters for their life without him. However, once he realized this was a way to leave a memory for his young children (1,3 and 5) by showing them who their dad was, and teaching them some of the important life lessons he would have shared with them over the next several years he couldn’t pass it up.
If you knew you had one last chance to leave a lasting legacy for your children or loved ones, how would you do it? What would you say?
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