Arnica's Page
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- What do you consider to be important traits in helping others?
- Recognizing the individual-- the human. Many times when we try to help, we set up programs and thats great. But most of us manage to keep a firm wall between us and the 'other' in need. And we hand out in such a way that we seldom ask that 'other', "What are your gifts? What are you good at? What would you like to give to others?" In this way we make people chronicly needy, and strip them of an important piece of their humanity and worth. I say this as one guilty, hungry for a better way.
- What do you consider to be today's greatest issue that is in need of attention?
- Poverty is not an inherent evil. I am better for coming from an impoverished background. But I am a lucky one. Money protects. The push for Environmentalism right now is good and important, but it is largely an upper middleclass affair. Which is fine. Perhaps that's where the power to change it is. BUT it is in the poor neighbourhoods, where kids play on the sidewalks and streets because 'Greenspace' is for someone else's kid-- and the gas guzzling cars are lined up the sidewalk, because those are what people here can afford. Asbestos, lead paint and all manner of hazards lie in wait for these children, not to mention the gangs who lure them easily with sense of belonging because obviously the Man (that, unfortunately, is us) has discarded them. If we could take seriously the quality of life, and community, not just for us & our loved ones, but for the 'inner city' next door to all of us, our own future would be brighter.
- Would you like to contribute a possible solution to this issue? If yes, please explain.
- This network is a great start! If we can use what we've gained to help others get excited about how different their lives can be-- that it is possible to have a life vastly different from what you've know, what those around you have done. When I went to grad school at Temple Univ. in N. Philadelphia, I realized that what perpetuates a ghetto is the belief that the world starts and ends there. Give a kid the chance to see something different, and instill a little belief in him and the whole world can change.
- Tell us about yourself...
- I'm an actor-humanitarian-- sooo typical these days ;o)
I've had the privilege of working with at risk kids &teens at summer camps, and in college classrooms. I've traveled lots, lived like a gypsy for my art, developed a great sense of humor, and faith. What I do and Why I do what I do is to love people. Because we're all made in the image of God. Oh, that we would all see more clearly through the eyes of another.
- Favorite book, author, quote...
- "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle"
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The following blog entry is a cross-post from my blog Realizing Your Worth.
Michael Stelzner, of SocialMediaExaminer.com interviews John Bernier, the Social Media Manager at Best Buy. He talks about Best Buy’s Twelpforce, an amazing concept that e…
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Best wishes to you and dear ones on the dawn of 2009,
from Indian
Love,
Ravi
blessings and abundance
Alex
Your friend,
David