Heroic Stories
Today, I'd like to chat about a wonderful resource -- shared with me by Spirit Bear, on the www.KarlForum.com website.
How would YOU like to read inspiring stories about everyday heroes... Every day?
I'm talking about stories that will make your heart glow -- and remind you that warmth and kindness really DOES exist outside of your own mind.
If that sounds like you, then check out the Heroic Stories website.
It's free of charge to signup, and they'll mail you a story each day. I'm republishing one of their recent mailouts below.
Enjoy - and consider signing up. You'll love it! :)
(PS. If you haven't discovered my forum yet, visit www.karlforum.com and say hello. We'd love to welcome you!)
* * *
Reaching more than 39,500 subscribers in 118 countries, this is...
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HeroicStories #711: 1 May 2007 www.HeroicStories.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Highest Standards in Action Story Editor:
by Leih Merigian Joyce Schowalter
Virginia, USA
I have some long standing health issues that result in daily battles
with chronic pain and fatigue. My doctor has placed me on a very
restricted diet that consists only of above-ground vegetables, high
quality protein, and raw, unpasteurized dairy products. I may not
consume root vegetables, legumes, fruit or grains.
Needless to say, this is a very difficult and boring way to eat. And, it
is not all that easy to find "high quality" protein that is grass-fed
and raised without unnecessary antibiotics, growth hormones, and the
like. What my diet boils down to is that I spend an inordinate amount of
time just finding and procuring the various foods I need to fulfill my
doctor's dietary prescriptions.
Given my health issues, there are many days when all this effort just
seems like way too much work.
The weekend of May 20, 2006 someone responded to my needs in a way that
reinforced my belief in the basic goodness of people. I had come across
an advertisement for a local farm that raises heritage livestock and
artisan meats, named "Gryffon's Aerie". As it turns out, they are
located only nine miles from me, near Charlottesville, Virginia.
I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to discover this wonderful
farm so close to my own home. I actually began to dream about the meats
I'd be able to obtain there.
When I arrived, I discovered that the "farm store" was actually a
freezer on the porch of the farmhouse. Fine by me. The farmer came out
to meet me as I drove up. We introduced ourselves and went up on the
porch to check out all the great stuff in their freezer.
I began to pick out package after package of meat I planned to buy,
giddy in my excitement. What good fortune to have discovered this farm!
As we started to complete the transaction, I suddenly wondered if they
took credit cards, and asked, "Do you guys take credit cards?" He turned
to me and said, "I'm sorry, we don't, but we're working on that." There
I was, holding many packages of frozen beef, realizing that I'd have to
put it all back and return later.
I told him I'd have to come back another day, since I hadn't thought to
bring my checkbook. This wonderful farmer then made my day by saying,
"That's OK, just send us a check when you get home."
Apparently, I'm not the only one who still believes that people are
good. You'd better believe I gratefully sent that check the same day, as
soon as I got home!
EDITOR'S NOTE: The author refers you to: http://www.gryffonsaerie.com
----------==========----------o----------==========----------
My Gift to Anyone Who Wants to Appreciate Life More:
http://tinyurl.com/2w6ha9
----------==========----------o----------==========----------
Please note our advertisement this week; our advertisers help support
HeroicStories.
Our readers responded warmly to "A Leaky Sink" (#710), in which the
author describes a young man's transformed life, saying, "Amazing what a
little lady with a leaky sink and some straight talking can accomplish!"
Tim in Montana said, "I thought I was finally immune and could read
HeroicStories at work without tearing up. Wrong again. What a great
story! Shows us how much we need the wiser generation."
Caitlin in California loved trying to work out who the hero was.
Caitlin: "Was it Rosie? Michael? Or the healthcare professionals who
didn't give up? Yet more proof that everyone has something to contribute
-- no matter who they are."
In "My Best Thanksgiving Plate" (#708), a neighbor gave Nancy a
beautiful plate of Thanksgiving food. (If you missed the story, it's on
our archives: http://www.HeroicStories.com/archives.html .) In our last
issue, Trish wondered: "Why didn't the neighbor invite Nancy over, not
just give her a plate to eat by herself?" Readers sent insightful
replies to her comment.
Brigid in Georgia replied, "I, too, thought the neighbor was silly for
not inviting the bride over. Upon reflecting, though, the food might
have been all that was needed. The evening could have been very awkward
for her, with limited English, hanging out with someone else's family,
missing her husband. Also, perhaps the bride didn't feel left out
because Thanksgiving wasn't culturally important to her."
This story reminded Ranya in Texas of her first few days in America,
after migrating from Bangladesh. Ranya: "I think the neighbor was just
being extra thoughtful about not stepping over boundaries. She might not
have been sure whether the new bride would have been at ease celebrating
Thanksgiving, a tradition she didn't share. For example, my co-workers
at my first job asked whether I celebrate my birthday before throwing me
a party. I was touched by their caring concern."
In another reader comment, Jane mentioned her frustration that her
offers of help to a sick friend were repeatedly refused. Last issue,
Bobbi replied, "People most always say 'no'. Just do it, just help." Our
readers sent varied responses to Bobbi.
Moonchild in Switzerland said, "I've found that changing a request to a
command gets better results. So now instead of asking 'May I help?' I
say 'Let me help,' as I proceed to do so."
Derek in New Mexico disagreed: "While helping without asking (or being
asked) may be accepted by some, others may hate it. Most people with a
serious illness feel a terrible loss of control over their lives.
Trampling the patient's rights to make their own choices is
disrespectful and disempowering, and may be harm rather than help. We
have a difficult balancing act. I favor not accepting the first 'no' as
final, and negotiating the level of help that might be acceptable. But
'helping' in spite of protests is rarely a service to that person's
deepest needs."
And finally, Tess in Ohio agreed with Bobbi. "Last night, my sister
brought up the fact that the family wasn't around when she was going
through breast cancer ten years ago. I countered with 'You never let on
you needed help, so we thought every thing was hunky dory.' Big Sis
replied, 'In that situation, you don't ask permission, you just do it.
That way people can't turn you down.' So Jane, instead of asking 'How
about I fix dinner tonight?' show up at the door with a roast or a
casserole. That way your friend can't say no, and if she's already made
dinner your gift will keep till tomorrow."
Sheila Crosby, Comments Editor
Joyce Schowalter, Publisher
Co-Conspirators to Make the World a Better Place
COMMENTS about stories are always welcome -- please include your first
name and location: [contact information]
SUBSCRIPTIONS to HeroicStories are FREE. Just two seconds to sign up
here: http://www.HeroicStories.com (to UNSUBSCRIBE, see the end of
this message).
TO SUBMIT A STORY, see our submission guidelines, tips and information
at: http://www.HeroicStories.com/submit.html
CONTRIBUTE to support HeroicStories: http://heroicstories.com/fund.html
PUBLISHED BY HS & Son, Inc., PO Box 55213, Seattle, WA 98155, USA.
HeroicStories is a trademark of HS & Son, Inc. Newspapers can get
the stories as a regular feature column for FREE. For details, send
your paper's editor to http://www.heroicstories.com/column.html
Copyright 2007 http://www.HeroicStories.com -- All Rights Reserved.
All broadcast, publication, or copying to the WWW, email lists, or any
other medium, online or not, is prohibited without prior written
permission from HeroicStories.
However, permission is granted to circulate this publication via manual
forwarding by e-mail to friends providing that the text is forwarded IN
ITS ENTIRETY, from the "Reaching more than" line on top through the end
of this paragraph, and NO FEE is charged. We request that you forward no
more than three copies to any one person -- after that, they should get
their own subscription.
--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HeroicStories #711: 1 May 2007 www.HeroicStories.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Highest Standards in Action Story Editor:
by Leih Merigian Joyce Schowalter
Virginia, USA
I have some long standing health issues that result in daily battles
with chronic pain and fatigue. My doctor has placed me on a very
restricted diet that consists only of above-ground vegetables, high
quality protein, and raw, unpasteurized dairy products. I may not
consume root vegetables, legumes, fruit or grains.
Needless to say, this is a very difficult and boring way to eat. And, it
is not all that easy to find "high quality" protein that is grass-fed
and raised without unnecessary antibiotics, growth hormones, and the
like. What my diet boils down to is that I spend an inordinate amount of
time just finding and procuring the various foods I need to fulfill my
doctor's dietary prescriptions.
Given my health issues, there are many days when all this effort just
seems like way too much work.
The weekend of May 20, 2006 someone responded to my needs in a way that
reinforced my belief in the basic goodness of people. I had come across
an advertisement for a local farm that raises heritage livestock and
artisan meats, named "Gryffon's Aerie". As it turns out, they are
located only nine miles from me, near Charlottesville, Virginia.
I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to discover this wonderful
farm so close to my own home. I actually began to dream about the meats
I'd be able to obtain there.
When I arrived, I discovered that the "farm store" was actually a
freezer on the porch of the farmhouse. Fine by me. The farmer came out
to meet me as I drove up. We introduced ourselves and went up on the
porch to check out all the great stuff in their freezer.
I began to pick out package after package of meat I planned to buy,
giddy in my excitement. What good fortune to have discovered this farm!
As we started to complete the transaction, I suddenly wondered if they
took credit cards, and asked, "Do you guys take credit cards?" He turned
to me and said, "I'm sorry, we don't, but we're working on that." There
I was, holding many packages of frozen beef, realizing that I'd have to
put it all back and return later.
I told him I'd have to come back another day, since I hadn't thought to
bring my checkbook. This wonderful farmer then made my day by saying,
"That's OK, just send us a check when you get home."
Apparently, I'm not the only one who still believes that people are
good. You'd better believe I gratefully sent that check the same day, as
soon as I got home!
EDITOR'S NOTE: The author refers you to: http://www.gryffonsaerie.com
----------==========----------o----------==========----------
My Gift to Anyone Who Wants to Appreciate Life More:
http://tinyurl.com/2w6ha9
----------==========----------o----------==========----------
Please note our advertisement this week; our advertisers help support
HeroicStories.
Our readers responded warmly to "A Leaky Sink" (#710), in which the
author describes a young man's transformed life, saying, "Amazing what a
little lady with a leaky sink and some straight talking can accomplish!"
Tim in Montana said, "I thought I was finally immune and could read
HeroicStories at work without tearing up. Wrong again. What a great
story! Shows us how much we need the wiser generation."
Caitlin in California loved trying to work out who the hero was.
Caitlin: "Was it Rosie? Michael? Or the healthcare professionals who
didn't give up? Yet more proof that everyone has something to contribute
-- no matter who they are."
In "My Best Thanksgiving Plate" (#708), a neighbor gave Nancy a
beautiful plate of Thanksgiving food. (If you missed the story, it's on
our archives: http://www.HeroicStories.com/archives.html .) In our last
issue, Trish wondered: "Why didn't the neighbor invite Nancy over, not
just give her a plate to eat by herself?" Readers sent insightful
replies to her comment.
Brigid in Georgia replied, "I, too, thought the neighbor was silly for
not inviting the bride over. Upon reflecting, though, the food might
have been all that was needed. The evening could have been very awkward
for her, with limited English, hanging out with someone else's family,
missing her husband. Also, perhaps the bride didn't feel left out
because Thanksgiving wasn't culturally important to her."
This story reminded Ranya in Texas of her first few days in America,
after migrating from Bangladesh. Ranya: "I think the neighbor was just
being extra thoughtful about not stepping over boundaries. She might not
have been sure whether the new bride would have been at ease celebrating
Thanksgiving, a tradition she didn't share. For example, my co-workers
at my first job asked whether I celebrate my birthday before throwing me
a party. I was touched by their caring concern."
In another reader comment, Jane mentioned her frustration that her
offers of help to a sick friend were repeatedly refused. Last issue,
Bobbi replied, "People most always say 'no'. Just do it, just help." Our
readers sent varied responses to Bobbi.
Moonchild in Switzerland said, "I've found that changing a request to a
command gets better results. So now instead of asking 'May I help?' I
say 'Let me help,' as I proceed to do so."
Derek in New Mexico disagreed: "While helping without asking (or being
asked) may be accepted by some, others may hate it. Most people with a
serious illness feel a terrible loss of control over their lives.
Trampling the patient's rights to make their own choices is
disrespectful and disempowering, and may be harm rather than help. We
have a difficult balancing act. I favor not accepting the first 'no' as
final, and negotiating the level of help that might be acceptable. But
'helping' in spite of protests is rarely a service to that person's
deepest needs."
And finally, Tess in Ohio agreed with Bobbi. "Last night, my sister
brought up the fact that the family wasn't around when she was going
through breast cancer ten years ago. I countered with 'You never let on
you needed help, so we thought every thing was hunky dory.' Big Sis
replied, 'In that situation, you don't ask permission, you just do it.
That way people can't turn you down.' So Jane, instead of asking 'How
about I fix dinner tonight?' show up at the door with a roast or a
casserole. That way your friend can't say no, and if she's already made
dinner your gift will keep till tomorrow."
Sheila Crosby, Comments Editor
Joyce Schowalter, Publisher
Co-Conspirators to Make the World a Better Place
COMMENTS about stories are always welcome -- please include your first
name and location: [contact information]
SUBSCRIPTIONS to HeroicStories are FREE. Just two seconds to sign up
here: http://www.HeroicStories.com (to UNSUBSCRIBE, see the end of
this message).
TO SUBMIT A STORY, see our submission guidelines, tips and information
at: http://www.HeroicStories.com/submit.html
CONTRIBUTE to support HeroicStories: http://heroicstories.com/fund.html
PUBLISHED BY HS & Son, Inc., PO Box 55213, Seattle, WA 98155, USA.
HeroicStories is a trademark of HS & Son, Inc. Newspapers can get
the stories as a regular feature column for FREE. For details, send
your paper's editor to http://www.heroicstories.com/column.html
Copyright 2007 http://www.HeroicStories.com -- All Rights Reserved.
All broadcast, publication, or copying to the WWW, email lists, or any
other medium, online or not, is prohibited without prior written
permission from HeroicStories.
However, permission is granted to circulate this publication via manual
forwarding by e-mail to friends providing that the text is forwarded IN
ITS ENTIRETY, from the "Reaching more than" line on top through the end
of this paragraph, and NO FEE is charged. We request that you forward no
more than three copies to any one person -- after that, they should get
their own subscription.
--
Labels: inspiration
by Karl
2:45 AM
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