pay it forward...

Just something to think about (this was emailed to me by a friend – thanks Brad!)…

A group of graduates, well established in their careers by this time, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, who is now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.

Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some very exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.

When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: "Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate.

In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides or distorts what we drink.

What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... and then you began eying each other's cups to see whose was best.

Now consider this:
Life is the hot chocolate.

Your job, money and position in society are the cups; they are just tools to hold and contain life, the cup you have does not define, nor change, the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us. God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the cups.

The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have.

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

And enjoy your hot chocolate.

Anyway – another thing to think about it this…

Normally I am pretty indifferent about Oprah, however, right now I think that she is involved in something pretty cool— Oprah’s Big Give! Have you watched it? Do you love it? If you haven’t seen it, I encourage you to watch, and please include the whole family and even some friends!! (It’s on Sunday evenings, right after Extreme Makeover Home Edition.) Basically, Oprah picked 10 people to participate in a contest to see who could give away the most money, and make the biggest difference in someone’s life at the same time… and if they don’t give big, they go home. They do things like raise money to provide a home for a family in need along with college funds for the kids, etc. I think it’s great to see the community get involved, and it’s very moving to see the difference that it makes in these peoples lives.

So – Watch it! I also encourage you to use it as inspiration for generating ideas of how you can make a difference in the life of someone less fortunate than yourself! Use it to inspire your creative ideas for helping others and making the world a better place for future generations! Small things can make a huge difference, and so can big things… just remember that everyone can make a difference if they try!

Help Raise Money for Cancer Research

A note from my friend Beth -

Hello Friends-

We (my friend Alisa & I) have decided to fundraise for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as members of Team in Training (once again). We will be running in the Ogden Half Marathon on May 17th. This will be Alisa's 2nd event with the team.....and my 4th event with the team.

We could use all the support we can get!

Our goal is to raise $2000 total for this event -to help fund very important life saving research. So far we have raised a little over $1100. I feel very passionate about this cause as both of my parents are battling different forms of Cancer. I strongly believe that with all of your help - we CAN make a positive impact and prevent this horrible disease from taking more lives.

Help us to get funding into the hands of the researchers who will one day find a cure!! Every dollar -no matter how large, or how small will help find a cure.

You can donate on our fundraising page at:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntdms/AlisaandBeth

We appreciate your support very much!!! THANK YOU!!

Love,
Beth

Spring Home and Garden Festival at the South Towne Expo Center – Saturday, March 8th

Normally an event like the Spring Home and Garden Festival would not make it on to my charity blog; however, this event definitely warrants mentioning! On Saturday afternoon from 3 to 5 pm there will be a BLOOMING HOPE FLORAL AUCTION— where local florists, including Every Blooming Thing, will design floral arrangements on the spot to be auctioned off. PROCEEDS GO TO PRIMARY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL!

So… come out to the Home and Garden Festival and bid on some flowers to support Primary Children’s Hospital!

More information available at the website - http://www.saltlakehomeshow.com/ME2/Sites/

Tickets are $9 and the show goes from Friday to Sunday. Floral Auction is on Saturday afternoon from 3 to 5 pm (March 8^th).

Upcoming events...

23 Feb, at 10 am
Women Against MS Champagne Luncheon & Fashion Show
National MS Society Utah State Chapter
Ladies are invited to an afternoon of dining and viewing spring’s styles. Proceeds fund MS research and programs.
Prices: $80
500 S. Main St., Salt Lake City, (801) 424-0113 email

MS Society Utah Chapter -
http://utu.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=UTU_homepage&JServSessionIdr004=di3ttw99b1.app303a



24 Feb, from 3 pm - 5 pm
Unleashing the Human Spirit: A Sustainable End to Hunger
Kyempo Partners
An Afternoon with Dr. John Coonrod, Vice President of The Hunger Project. Come learn and be inspired! RSVP: Ben Mates
Wasatch Commons Co-Housing Common House 1411 S. Utah St. (1605 W.), Salt Lake City, (801) 518-3266 email

The Hunger Project - http://www.thp.org/

Helping Animals and Breast Cancer Prevention

February is a busy month…. Check out these two great event happening THIS WEEKEND! And they are even at the same location!

Fur Ball - http://www.utahanimaladoptioncenter.org/

February 9, 2008 at 6 p.m. at the University Park Marriott Hotel (480 Wakara Way). Tickets $100 per person/dog couple. Space is limited at the event, and early reservations are recommended.

Please join Master of Ceremonies Kurt Bestor and hosts Dickie and Angel Shannon at the 11th annual Fur Ball fund-raiser dinner and auction to benefit our orphaned animals

Bachelor Auction - http://www.utahbachelorauction.blogspot.com/

Breast Cancer Fund-raiser being held on Friday, February 8^th

- Location - Salt Lake City Marriott University Park (480 Wakara Way)
- When - Friday, February 8th
- What - Cocktails, Mingling with Bachelors & Silent

- Schedule – Silent Auction 6:00 -7:00 p.m. and Bachelors Auction 7:00 p.m.

Other details available at their site http://www.utahbachelorauction.blogspot.com/

Tackle the Tower with the American Lung Association

Tackle the Tower

As the snow discourages even the most dedicated of runners to stay inside instead of heading for the pavement, the American Lung Association of Utah (ALAU) has an alternative to the usual treadmill or slushy street training. This winter mix up your winter training with a more unconvenional race. This March, 150 firefighters, runners, and non-profit aficionados will scale the 26 stories of the Wells Fargo Building downtown. Use your lungs and funds to help the ALAU help those with poor lung health.

This is a community effort. Support victims with asthma, lung cancer, emphysema, and other lung diseases live better by using your lungs to help them. Each participant needs to raise $100 by race day. Push you lungs to the limit this March by joining the American Lung Association of Utah and racing to the top of the tallest building in Salt Lake City. We need your help.

Thank you,

The American Lung Association of Utah - http://lungutah.org/

A poem written by a little girl dying of cancer....

SLOW DANCE


Have you ever watched kids

On a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain

Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Do you run through each day

On the fly?

When you ask How are you?

Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done

Do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores

Running through your head?

You'd better slow down

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last

Ever told your child,

We'll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste,

Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,

Let a good friendship die

Cause you never had time

To call and say, 'Hi'

You'd better slow down

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

It is like an unopened gift....

Thrown away.

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower

Hear the music

Before the song is over.

11th Annual FURBALL

9 Feb
6p
11th Annual Fur Ball Fund-raiser
Utah Animal Adoption Center
Pampered pooches will escort their humans to the dinner/auction, to raise funds for rescued orphaned animals at UAAC.
Prices: $100.00 per person
University Park Marriott Hotel, Salt Lake City, 801-355-PETS email

More Info -
2008 11TH ANNUAL FURBALL

Escort your pampered pooch to the 11th annual Fur Ball fund-raiser dinner and auction to benefit our orphaned animals, February 9, 2008 at 6 p.m. at the University Park Marriott Hotel. Tickets $100 per person/dog couple. Space is limited at the event, and early reservations are recommended. Corporate sponsorships are available for a donation of $1,500, and include a VIP table for 12 and pre-event publicity. “Tickets to the Fur Ball make great gifts for every animal-lover you know, including family, friends, co-workers; it’s a great way to say thanks to your best employees and clients, all while contributing to help homeless animals at the same time,” says Cheryl Smith, Director of UAAC.

The festive evening with host Kurt Bestor includes a fine dinner, social hour, sweetheart pet portraits, auction, our "Rescue of the Year" and entertainment.
Proceeds from the event help us save, neuter and find homes for more than 1,600 orphaned dogs, cats and horses all year long.

Love animals? Consider donating an item of value for the exciting live and silent auctions. We welcome and appreciate donations of lodging and dinner certificates, ski passes, fine jewelry, gift baskets, etc. If you'd like to donate an auction item, call Cheryl at 801-355-PETS.

February 1st is National Wear Red Day! You too can help fight heart disease!

Your support is a vital part of the Go Red movement. So please, wear RED on February 1st, and support the cause throughout the month by shopping for Go Red products, taking the Heart CheckUp or getting involved with the movement in your community. Do what you can - for your health, for your life, for the women you love.

Please help us Fight Heart Disease!
http://goredforwomen.org/

Tackle the Tower - March 22nd

Tackle the Tower - Wells Fargo Building - Salt Lake City, Utah March 22, 2008

Conquer a climb in your hometown— look to the Wells Fargo Building's 23 floors, 422 feet, and 598 steps in downtown Salt Lake City. Tackle The Tower is a race to the top of the tallest building in the state in support of the mission of the American Lung Association to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Visit the Tackle The Tower site to register.

Whether you are an experienced athlete looking for a new training venue or a rookie looking to get into shape, an American Lung Association stair climb will help you to reach your goal and give you a cause bigger than yourself to be involved with.

Contact BreeAnn Gwilliam for more information on either event by email bgwilliam@lungutah.org or at (801)484-4456. For more information, visit lungutah.org and check out the 'Events' section.