Daily Good News


January 27, 2010

Everyone has too much of something, whether it's time, talent or treasure. Everyone does have their own half, you just have to find it. --Hannah Salwen

What Can You Live Without?:
It all began with a stop at a red light. While Kevin Salwen and his 14-year-old daughter, Hannah, were waiting at a traffic light, they saw a black Mercedes coupe on one side and a homeless man begging for food on the other. "Dad, if that man had a less nice car, that man there could have a meal," Hannah protested. She pestered her parents about inequity, insisting that she wanted to do something. "What do you want to do?" her mom responded. "Sell our house?" That is exactly what the family did. "We essentially traded stuff for togetherness and connectedness," says father Kevin Salwen. Hannah and Kevin wrote a book about the family's experience, The Power of Half, which will be released in February. [more]

Submitted by: Several Daily Good Readers

Be The Change:
Think of three things you have in abundance -- they may include time, talent or treasure. Could someone else use them? Notice the unanticipated rewards that result from your giving.


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Previous Reflections:

On Jan 27, 2010 looloo writes:

This story sounds all warm and fuzzy, but maybe it's not as  true as it would seem. Maybe the guy in the fancy car worked hard so that he could afford his ride, and maybe he already donates a lot of money to charitable organizations that try to help the homeless. Maybe the homeless man chooses not to get a job despite his able body and really wants to live the way that he does. In any case, just because a man drives an expensive car, it doesn't mean that another is going to get off the street.

On Jan 27, 2010 B writes:

I agree with the first reflection . I work with the homeless almost everyday. They come to our programs and spend the day and get fed. Most of them get some living assistance from us in the way of govenment programs and have chosen not to be " inside." The have told me on a number of occasions that I should not impose my value's on them. They would not change the way the live. One man who has a mental disorder explained that by living outside it keeps him vigilant so that his mental issues don't become his focus and he stays in the moment. That sounds rather profound for              a " vagrant"

On Jan 27, 2010 Priti shah writes:

If one puts one mind into doing something than anything is possible.

I look forward to reading the book  coming out in February.

On Jan 29, 2010 aine o kane writes:

I GUESS READING THIS ABOUT THE GIRL OF 12,  MAKES US THINK TWICE ABOUT JUST HOW MUCH WE HAVE, COMPARED TO OTHERS.  IF WE GIVE AND LITTLE MORE AND HELP OTHERS WE ALL COULD OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE....

On Feb 9, 2010 spiralmotion writes:

tooloo is critical because of assumptions made about the rich guy and the begging man--all assumptions aside, I think the point the Salwen family made is that in our world some have much more than they need, and some do not have what they need to survive.  This is indisputable, no matter the incident that provoked this family to increase their consciousness about their footprint in the world.  Tooloo's reactionary response suggests a need to consider his/her own footprint--our own lives are all we can hope to control.  Our own choices make an impact on others both here and abroad.  Our own lives can be richer when we understand this in our very bones, and when the plaids of our words and actions match more frequently.

That is the point the Salwen family's humble telling of their own story makes to me.

 
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