Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: "Pay It Forward"

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: "Pay It Forward":


This past Friday, for the first time in I don’t even know how many months, I was sitting at home. I have been craving a day to myself for months now, so it was nice to finally get one.

I first decided to watch the hours upon hours of recorded shows I had on my DVR. After a while, I was starving and needing to move. So I got up, took a shower and went to the local pizza place to grab a bite to eat. When I came home, instead of returning to my recordings, I decided to see what movies were playing on the various channels I have.

That’s when I found Pay it Forward. I had seen the movie several times before, but I decided to go ahead and watch it anyway.

For those who haven’t seen it, the story focuses on 11-year-old Trevor McKinney played by Haley Joel Osment. On his first day of 7^th grade his Social Studies teacher (played by Kevin Spacey, in what I believe to be one of his best roles) gives out an assignment to create and put into action a plan that will change the world for the better.

Trevor comes up with “Paying it Forward” a charitable pyramid scheme. Basically, he does three good deeds, but instead of receiving something in return, he asks that they do something kind for three other people. Thus, creating a pyramid scheme of kindness.

I don’t want to give away too much of the movie, but if you haven’t seen it, I HIGHLY recommend it. (It is available on Netflix, for all of you computer users!)

While I was watching the movie, I kept thinking to myself, what if more people did things for others and didn't expect anything in return? Would it actually be a good thing for the world? Or is there a such thing as being too kind?

I thought about this for the rest of the night. I came to the conclusion that maybe, all of us could be a little more helpful.

Christmas is right around the corner. The holidays tend to bring out the best in people, but I’m asking all of you reading this, why can’t we be like that all year? Is it too much of an inconvenience to do something nice for someone? I say, we could all do a little bit to make this world a better place. But it starts with you!

Whatever it is you do, whether it be helping out an elderly neighbor, or simply holding the door open for a stranger. Don’t worry about what you will get out of it; just tell them to PAY IT FORWARD.

Read more of his posts on his own blog, linked at the top.

Gr8LakesCamper: ''Five Festive Friday Eves' at Cedar Creek Settlem...

Gr8LakesCamper: ''Five Festive Friday Eves' at Cedar Creek Settlem...: Nov. 18 & 25 and Dec. 2, 9, & 16

Five Festive Friday Eve's celebrates an exciting series of five family-oriented, evening events during the holiday season at Cedar Creek Settlement in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. The Settlement features 25 unique shops; gift and specialty shops, antique stores, galleries, three restaurants, artists studios and the Cedar Creek Winery nestled in a restored 1864 woolen mill, festively adorned for the holidays with luminarias, natural greenery, garlands, beribboned wreaths and thousands of tiny white lights. Free events. Small admission fee for Christmas in the Country. 

Friday, November 18, 5-9 pm 
“A Warm & Fuzzy Christmas” 

Celebrate the sweet nostalgia of Christmas. Wear your tackiest sweater for our Ugly Sweater Contest (prizes). Our favorite singer/musician Bobby Way will entertain. Acclaimed storyteller Judy Farrow-Bask will delight adults and children. The Sweet Adelines group Premiere will stroll throughout the shops. Enjoy complimentary brownies and hot cocoa and cider and cookies. Author Lisa Curtis will sign her new book: Cedarburg. Sample Cedar Creek Winery’s award-winning wines. Roasted Chestnuts ($1 per bag). Luminarias. 

Read the rest off this and many more on his blog.

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous 
piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. 

This year will be different.

This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans.
There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands.

Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to
sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamin's on a Chinese made flat-screen?
Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all
winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a Gazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort,
what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is
about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves.
They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to
see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar
string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy
or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is
now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when
we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves
section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of
caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?