Hail to the Heros

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Review a book on your blog (focus in the same genre if you want). Send the author a note with a link to the review. I know authors that only do reviews for books they like. This review gives the author a boost and creates a connection not only to your blog, but maybe a contact for you when your book comes out.

Hail to the Heros
I watched CNNs Heros show last night and wept the whole time. These people have given their time and hearts to others freely expecting nothing in return. They make us realize that when you give in small ways it makes a huge impact. They all started by helping one person at a time. It reinforces the idea that it's better to give a little than to not give at all. Made me think about the main reason I want to be published. To give back. I feel like writing books is somehow connected to my purpose - I don't know why or how.

During this Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to send a special shout-out to these 10 incredible people:

1) Liz McCartney - helping Katrina victims by rebuilding homes for more than 120 families.
2) Tad Agoglia - started a response team for disaster victims and have aided 15 sites for free
3) Maria Da Silva - LA nanny who funds a school in Malawi where kids are victims of Aids.
4) Yohannes Gebregeorgis - Ethiopia Reads that provides free libraries and books to children
5) Carolyn Lecroy - Message Project that connects incarcerated parents with their children through video messages
6) Anne Mahlum - Back on my feet program that supplies running groups, shoes and running gear to homeless people
7) Phymean Noun - offers children who work in Phen's trash dumbs free schooling and job training
8) David Puckett - brings prosthetic care to those in Mexico without limbs
9) Marie Ruiz - Takes food, clothing, and toys to impoverished children/families in Mexico
10)Viola Vaughn -10,000 Girls Program helps girls in Senegal succeed in school and business

A personal shout-out to Captain Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd crew (Whale Wars) who all work for free and put their lives at danger every day to stop illegal whale killing from happening. Trueless selfless.

We all can make a difference.

Today, do one small thing for someone!

Finding Your Inner "her"o

I heard a talk to today about heroes. (and no not the tv show! though it is fantastic!)

What is a hero?

I think along time ago - heroes wore capes and had crusades. No one knew their real identity, they just valued their fight to crime.

Really - I always found them disturbing and had many questions:

First of all - Do they REALLY make people feel safe? Call me crazy - but if I saw someone in a mask and cape running down the streets pf Atlanta in colored tights, I would definitely NOT feel safe and more importantly, I would question their sanity.

Secondly - Is there identity really not known or are those towns just stupid? I don't know about you all but I could ALWAYS and EASILY tell that Clark Kent was Superman, that Bruce Wayne was Batman, and that Tobie was Spiderman. Come on people! Are we really to believe that a small eye mask covers up a true identity?

But most importantly, I used to always wonder why did people feel the need to believe in fake heroes? Real heroes walk around every day among us and we don't take 1 minute to say hello.

The "Official Definition
Beyond the cape and super powers. Here's what I found:

1) A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life.
2) the male character in a story, play, film, etc (MALE?! Why not female?)
3) an object of extreme admiration and devotion.
4) the bread or roll used in making a hero sandwich. (Ha, this was just to be sure you were paying attention :)

I have to mention this - not to be feminist - but why are most of the definitions about men?

I mean the root word of hero is "her" - am I right ladies? ;)


Who are my heroes?

Well - I can say - they do not wear a cape. They do not stop crime. They do not have superpowers. And, they do not hide behind masks.

Here are a few that popped into my mind this morning: (Don't worry I am not going to say Oprah or Mother Theresa - though I think they are fabulous!)

Likely Heroes

• Al Gore - not the political Al Gore, the noble peace prize Al Gore. I am an independent so this is not a political statement, but I admire the work he has done to bring attention to the environment. I mean a few years ago - this VP was kind of a joke, right?. But now - he is the one of the few people making a difference environmentally and in our awareness.

Lesson - We as humans are unconsciously wasteful and unaware.

• Randy Pausch - Most of you may know him as the "Last Lecturer". He recently past away from a long battle with Pancreatic cancer. Here you have a man who's No. 1 priority is to leave a big legacy so that his kids remember him and his family is taken care of. For years, he was faced with knowing he was going to die, yet he sucked up his pain and fear and sorrow everyday to be sure he gave his absolute best to his family - he laughed, played with his kids, and lived him life with total unselfish grace (which is more than most people do when they are healthy.)

Lesson - live your childhood dreams and celebrate life as opposed to just getting by. Also - don't let the flu get you down.

• Ingrid Betancourt - To be taken hostage, away from your kids, and stuck in a jungle for 6 years fighting abuse, famine, disease, and sorrow. Then when rescued, she still manages to come home full or love, strength, spunk, and gratitude? Amazing.

Lesson - the human spirit is an amazing thing.

• Dali Lama - a little cliched but again not a religion statement. But - to me - he totally represents peace, he lives peacefully, and gives his life to helps others be peaceful. And, he just makes me smile whenever I see or hear him. He's just so cute!

Lesson - You cannot have true peace (in the world or in your heart) if you value your ego more.

Unlikely Heroes

• My mom - who drops everything to help me when my dog dies, my hubby is out of town, i get a rejection, or I have the flu.

Lesson - A mother's love is special.

• My hubby - who gives me time to write, believes in me (with no actual proof), lets me sleep in on sat mornings (as late as I want), goes out late to buy me MMs when I am writing, and still tells me I am beautiful (even when I am at my worse, like 10 min after a c-section!)

Lesson - a hubby's love can be unconditional!

• The ladies who do my hair and mani/pedis - for hiding things I will not mention and making me feel human - woman again.

Lesson - Behind every woman is a team of people!

• My friends - who tell me the truth no matter what which helps me be a better person. Also for listening to my rants and raves when I am in "a mood".

Lesson - friends show you the lessons

• My kids - for showing me the beautiful things in life, giggles, worms, rainbows, snuggles. And always managing to put a smile on my face.

Lesson - Life can be simple.

So - what about my own "inner 'HER'o"?

I certainly have not been feeling that inner "HER"o lately with my writing. But I came across a quote that touched me:

"It is overcoming surmounting difficulties that makes us all heroes."

Well then.... I guess I am on my way!

After While Crocodile

Yes... I am devastated at the sudden death of the Crocodile Hunter.

When I saw the news, a lump grew in my throat. It is tragic, it is unexpected, and it is very, very sad. A freak accident where a sting-ray zips though his ribcage and pierces his heart - how utterly awful. (my ongoing fear of the sea is again justified.)

As I absorbed my small loss, I am ashamed to say that an odd thought crawled across my (now what I call) disturbing mind: "That sux...at least it could have been a crocodile."

But a stingray? I mean...if he had to go, I kinda think he would rather have been devoured by the "Jaws" of all crocodiles.

After all, he was the "Crocodile Hunter", not the "Stingray Slayer".

Crikey!

Somehow being stung by a large stingray does not not seem to really compare to being mauled in half by a mammoth reptile.

Seems unfitting.

A man who prides himself on capturing crocodiles, canoodling with snakes, and skipping with alligators deserves something more. Something more dramatic.

Therefore, all I can do is salute and mutter "see yah later, alligator."

Suddenly, a whisper swims through the trees and paddles across the sea-blue sky, "After while crocodile."

Instantly, I am calmed in knowing the Crocodile Hunter is finally floating through...

...his "swamp in the sky".