Postive Impact of Social Networking

Today, I have been thinking about all the positive things that social networking has impacted because of the people that are involved.   This past week... I was alerted to a dog that was in peril.   This was a Brittany Spaniel, named Dexter.   Once rescued from a hoarder, that had 13 dogs stacked up in cargo crates in a car port open to the elements in Pennsylvania, now needed a life saving surgery.  Again, the online community came to his rescue.  In less than 24 hours, the $2500 was raised to pay for his surgery.   The same organization filled 15 different transports for rescue dogs to be transport to fur-ever homes and to foster families out of kill shelters this weekend alone.   Home for the holidays is whole new thing when you have been living in a cage on death row because someone that was suppose to love and cherish you didn't.  (if you are interested in helping any of these dogs visit www.nbran.org or "LIKE" National Brittany Rescue on Facebook)

I have witnessed the power of social networking... but so has the recently deceased Elizabeth Edwards.  Although, we don't agree on politics.  I strongly admire how she lived, met life's challenges, and continued to see the good in people.   She put family first.  She never let the horrific actions of a loved one define her.   When I saw this link to message from Lance Armstrong to her family and video's on her speech to a LIVESTRONG event.  I had to watch them.   After thanking Lance, she thanked Steve Case from AOL for the start of Online Communities.   They were very helpful support to her.   Peer to Peer support ... it matters.   Reaching out to others for collaboration, support, information, and encouragement is human... now it is powered by technology.

Some days it is just good to remind yourself about the good in humanity and how Social Networking is part of making the world a smaller and better place to be. Get well soon little Dexter!   God Speed, Elizabeth.   The world will miss but not forget your message on living and dying with grace.

Goodwill and Good-bye

Over the years, I have written more than my fair share about goal setting, goal achievement, and have bemoaned not hitting the milestones I have set for myself.   This is typically with the personal slate of goals although the economy hasn't been so nice to the professional ones over the past couple of years either.    With 2010 slipping away into the record books, it hit me that next year that looming personal goal of weights to hit by the end of March, June, and September and a final weight on New Year's Eve wasn't going to be on the list for 2011.   It isn't that I don't still have an objective to shed a stone more or so.   It is that I am well formed in my habits at this point.   I think I need to be determined not to backslide but I have kicked the devil in the seat and have found my own personal salvation.  The best feeling I had today was sitting in the Goodwill donation drop-off line and realizing I had the back of the SUV filled with success.   I had about 5 garbage bags of my "fat" clothes ready for new owners.   Good bye fat clothes.  Good bye.....