Hope is in the Cards

I know my whole goal is to get folks to send REAL cards and letters. And it always will be.

But I have to admit there’s a place for the e-card as well.

Now, I’m not a major birthday celebrator (at least for my own) but I was astonished at the scores and scores of personal, warm and delightful Happy Birthday wishes I received on my recent birthday.

It was touching, surprising and wonderful. Now, I LOVED that cards I got, and I’m one of the folks that saves them and reads through them once in a while. But the e-messages made me feel good too, I have to admit.

Their incredible spirit just astonishes me. And now, they’re finally out and well and free.

Utterly inspirational.

Miners in Chile survived on HOPE and truly inspirational teamwork. Wow.

I was at a recent fundraiser to help raise money to feed hungry kids across the country and the organizers let us share our HOPE cards with every person at the event! Here are just SOME of the cards that were shared!

Hundreds of HOPE cards were shared with diners at Share Our Strength's TASTE OF THE NATION event. Awesome event!

So, by next week, another 200 or so positive messages will make their way around the country and the world!

Grand Rapids is on the world map folks!

First, their amazing celebration of art — the Art Prize competition, is in full force, and one of the pieces is the world’s largest greeting card. Take a peek at this!

World's largest greeting card to appear at Art Prize, this weekend in Grand Rapids!

While you’re enjoying all the art, be sure to check out the WALL OF HOPE, brought to you by the incredible card company design, design. You can stop by and choose any card you want, fill it out and they’ll send it for you anywhere in the world, all for FREE! All to promote HOPE, one card at a time.

Click here for the details on seeing BOTH the world’s largest card, and the people with the world’s largest hearts…the design, design folks!

Spin. In your office chair. In the elevator when no one else is in there. Outside.

Nothing so easy can make you feel so 8 years old again. And when you were 8, anything was possible.

It still is… even in the autumn of 2010.

Go outside. It doesn’t matter where you live or work. There is something inspiring outside — even if it’s just a weed in a crack on the side of the road.

Think about it – somehow with nothing but rain and sunshine and the ickiest bits of dust and dirt, that weed broke through concrete! If a helpless, crushable little plant can do it, so can we.

Turn everything off! This is one of my favorite things.

Turn everything off in your house for five minutes. TVs, stereos, iPods, iPads, computers, lights, clocks, the heat or A/C… everything.

Just the act of discovering how many things you have on is amazing. But the quiet, the thoughtfulness, the lack of buzzing… it does wonders. And money says you’ll discover a few things you don’t need to turn back on, and that saves energy and cash. Oh, and the environment.

Wow.

Give something back. Time is precious and we don’t get enough of it.

So why not ditch TV or the Internet (yes, I get the irony) for one hour one day, and instead, use that hour to help someone else? Serve a meal at a shelter. Drive someone to an appointment. Paint over some graffiti.

That hour will be remembered and treasured far longer than any sitcom. To find local organizations who can help you help others, one of the best places to start is your local United Way.

Thank a soldier. It doesn’t matter if you believe in the war or not. These people are putting their lives out there and doing their best to serve our country.

The amazing folks at A Million Thanks make it easy. Log on. Say thanks. And let them know you’ll be happy when they’re home again.

Play with a puppy (okay, or a kitten)! Sappy yes. Fun as all get out, you bet! A visit to your local animal shelter or pet store is all it takes.

There are thousands of pet shelters, animal shelters, humane societies, and pet stores across the country and nearly every one of them will let you warm your heart (and give their residents much-needed exercise) if you just stop in.

Just try to resist the hopeful fun of playing with a puppy! This abandoned pooch turned on the charm and found a great home.

If you know your zip code, it’s easy to go online and find a fuzzy friend nearby. I’ve used this great site: www.petfinder.com.