GiveBackFilms Does Good Deeds To Inspire Others To Do The Same

While most of the youth today are too busy being self-involved, about a month ago Kyle Orrefice (18) of Atlanta, GA, and Josh Gibson (25) of Utah created the YouTube channel GiveBackFilms. The lads are dedicated to doing good deeds, videotaping themselves helping people in their communities, and then posting those videos on YouTube. They are doing this in hopes of inspiring people to help others by paying it forward and giving back.

In the latest video (below) at a gas station, Gibson and two buddies, Andrew and Robert, are seen randomly paying for other people's gas for people's gas. But they also have a video of paying for fast food at a drive through (which then inspired others to do the same thing for the drivers behind them), giving homeless people $100.00, and tipping a waitress $200.00. Initially it came out of their own pockets, but they have been pulling in some revenue from ads on YouTube, so they are hoping that will fund future projects. They hope to post a new video every Monday.

Now you might think that videotaping good deeds defeats the purpose, that one should not want or expect recognition for doing good, and in a way that's true, but they want these videos to go viral to get others to be inspired to do the same thing, maybe consider giving a waitress a larger tip, or buying someone a meal for no reason, or giving a little more to some homeless person. Nothing wrong with that.

Well done, lads. There is hope yet.



Here's some more background on the boys.

Helping Others- Track Star Meghan Vogel Carries Rival Across Finish Line

It was a brutally hot day, and a junior at West Liberty-Salem High School in Ohio, Meghan Vogel (17) was coming in last in the 3200-meter race at the 2012 Ohio State Track Meet. She had already won the 1600-meter (2 miles) race that day. As she ran the final lap she encountered another racer, Arlington High Schooler Arden McMath (16) who had collapsed under her uncooperative legs. As Arden attempted to get back up Meghan came from behind swooped her up and helped Arden to the finish line 30 meters away. Not only did she help Arden finish the race, she actually pushed her forward so that she finished 14th, instead of last.

It's not often that you see people putting others before themselves, especially those of such a young age. Meghan could have just let Arden sit there on the track, they were from competing high schools, after all. Or she could have helped the girl to the finish line but jumped in front to place 14th instead of last. But Meghan did what was right: helping someone in need. It's too bad more people don't do that, because bottom line, when we cross the 'finish line' of life we will ultimately be judged by our actions, how we have served others, not how many awards or medals we have won, or how much wealth and material things we have accumulated over a lifetime.

People are praising her for her good sportsmanship, but it's way more than that.

Good for you Meghan. You will be rewarded in many ways.





Source: HuffPo

Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher- Recipe For A Long, Good Marriage

Marriage is not easy, that's why so many end in divorce.  So, imagine being married for almost 87 years!  That's how long Zelmyra and Herbert Fisher of North Carolina had been married, before Herbert passed away on February 27th, 2011. 2008 Guiness World Record holders for the longest marriage, Zelmyra was born in 1907 and Herbert in 1905.

On Valentine's Day 2010, they spent time on Twitter giving relationship advice, and what great advice it was:

1. What made you realize that you could spend the rest of your lives together? Were you scared at all? H Z: With each day that passed, our relationship was more solid and secure. Divorce was NEVER an option – or even a thought.
2. How did you know your spouse was the right one for you?
We grew up together and were best friends before we married. A friend is for life – our marriage has lasted a lifetime.

3. Is there anything you would do differently after more than 80 years of marriage?
We wouldn’t change a thing. There’s no secret to our marriage, we just did what was needed for each other and our family.

4. What is your advice to someone who is trying to keep the faith that Mr. Right is really out there?
Zelmyra: Mine was just around the corner! He is never too far away, so keep the faith – when you meet him, you’ll know.
5. What was the best piece of marriage advice you ever received?
Respect, support and communicate with each other. Be faithful, honest true. Love each other with ALL of your heart.

6. What are the most important attributes of a good spouse?
Zelmyra: A hard worker and good provider. The 1920s were hard, but Herbert wanted  provided the best for us. I married a good man!

7. What is your best Valentine’s Day memory?
Zelmyra: I cook dinner EVERY day. Herbert left work early and surprised me – he cooked dinner for me! He is a VERY good cook!
Herbert: I said that I was going to cook dinner for her and she could relax – the look on her face and clean plate made my day!

8. You got married very young – how did u both manage to grow as individuals yet not grow apart as a couple?
“Everyone who plants a seed and harvests the crop celebrates together” We are individuals, but accomplish more together.

9. What is your fondest memory of your 85-year marriage?
Our legacy: 5 children, 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

10. Does communicating get easier with time? How do you keep your patience?
The children are grown, so we talk more now. We can enjoy our time on the porch or our rocking chairs – together.

11. How did you cope when you had to be physically separated for long periods of time?
Herbert: We were apart for 2 months when Z was hospitalized with our 5th child. It was the most difficult time of my life. Zelmyra’s mother helped me with the house and the other children, otherwise I would have lost my mind.
12. At the end of bad relationship day, what is the most important thing to remind yourselves?
Remember marriage is not a contest – never keep a score. God has put the two of you together on the same team to win.
13. Is fighting important?
NEVER physically! Agree that it’s okay to disagree, and fight for what really matters. Learn to bend – not break!

14. What’s the one thing you have in common that transcends everything else?
We are both Christians and believe in God. Marriage is a commitment to the Lord. We pray with and for each other every day.

Asked what the secret was to their long marriage, Zelmyra said:

“No secrets. There isn’t any secret. It was only God that kept us together.”

God, their faith, love and selflessness, the recipe for a good marriage.

They have five children, all of whom Herbert put through college, through hard work and diligence.

Source

Ben Comen Story- The Power Of Determination

Young Ben Comen has cerebral palsy, but his physical limitations have not stopped him from going after his dreams of cross country running.  This is a wonderful video about determination, and how with the love and encouragement of family, friends and teammates (of his cross country team) you can accomplish anything.  Ben doesn't compete against others, he competes against himself.

What a lovely, inspirational young man.

Grab your kleenex tissues.

Texas Teen Ben Breedlove Posted Two Inspirational Videos on YouTube Before His Death

There are some who come into this life simply to inspire others.  One such person, Ben Breedlove, was one of those who managed to touch many people's lives throughout his short life, and even more so through his death. 

Sick with the heart condition 'hypertrophic cardiomyopathy' (HC) for most of his life, the Austin, Texas teen had three near death experiences, the first one at the tender young age of four. Not that his health condition stopped him from living. His parents describe what a wonderful young man Ben was, here.

One of his many accomplishments was the creation of several popular YouTube channels including one in which he gave advice to young teens. But the week before he passed on he created another channel.  This time he only uploaded two very powerful videos entitled "This is my life" Part 1 and 2, in which he describes (with handwritten notes) some comforting visions he had during those experiences 'cheating death'. In one of those visions, his favorite rapper, Kid Cudi, appeared:

“While I was still unconscious, I was in this white room. No walls. It just went on and on. There was no sound [but peace]. It I was wearing a really nice suit. And so was my favorite rapper, Kid Cudi. Why he was the only one there with me, I’m still trying to figure out. But I was looking at this mirror that was in front of me. The first thing I thought was damn we look good… I couldn’t stop smiling."

With a maturity beyond his years, he also explains how he saw the 'white light' and how comforting and at peace he felt. At the end he writes: "Do you believe in Angels or God?"  then lifts the last piece of paper "I do".

A compilation of the videos went viral, and Kid Cudi was so touched he wrote about it on his blog.

Ben uploaded those videos on December 18, and on the evening of December 25 he left the physical plane. He must have somehow known it was time. 

Ben was only 18 years old. Rest in Peace, you are now 'at home'.

Giving People A Chance- Autistic Basketball player Jason McElwain

Here's a feel-good story for today.

Sometimes we just need to give those who are a little different a chance to shine. They inevitably will.

It Is Better To Give Than Receive- Narayanan Krishnan One Of CNNs Top Ten Heroes Of 2010

In the Bible (Acts 20:35) it is said that "It is more blessed to give than to receive", but most any one with a spiritual nature knows this to be true. Most every religion encourages the act of giving, and although it's lovely to be on the receiving end of gifts, in whatever form those gifts might take, it's an even greater high to be able to give to others. The act of "giving" can take many different forms- from monetary donations and gifts of kind, to the gift of time. Some people practice this on an occasional basis, whereas others make it their life's work.

Take award-winning Indian chef Narayanan Krishnan who chucked his bright future after a short visit to his home town before returning to Europe:

"I saw a very old man eating his own human waste for food," Krishnan said. "It really hurt me so much. I was literally shocked for a second. After that, I started feeding that man and decided this is what I should do the rest of my lifetime."

Krishnan was visiting a temple in the south Indian city of Madurai in 2002 when he saw the man under a bridge. Haunted by the image, Krishnan quit his job within the week and returned home for good, convinced of his new destiny.

"That spark and that inspiration is a driving force still inside me as a flame -- to serve all the mentally ill destitutes and people who cannot take care of themselves," Krishnan said.

Shortly thereafter, he founded his Akshaya Trust foundation, and since 2003 has dedicated his life to feeding the predominately elderly and mentally ill poor within 125 miles of his home town. Truly selfless, Krishnan and his foundation survive on donations and a pittance of rent he gets from a home he was given by his grandfather. He does not pay himself, sleeps in the kitchen with a few other co-workers, and survives with help from his parents, who initially balked at his new career choice.

"They had a lot of pain because they had spent a lot on my education," he said. "I asked my mother, 'Please come with me, see what I am doing.' After coming back home, my mother said, 'You feed all those people, the rest of the lifetime I am there, I will feed you.' I'm living for Akshaya. My parents are taking care of me."

Krishan was nominated for- and won -one of CNN's Top Ten Heroes of 2010. And well deserved. If you feel like donating to his foundation you can donate via Paypal , or perhaps this will inspire you to donate to some organization that helps the poor in your home town.

What I admire most about Krishnan, however, is the fact that he is not only feeding the poor with food to sustain them, he is also providing them with love. Feeding Souls is as important as feeding mouths. I also love the fact that all donations go directly to helping the poor and not to administrative costs, including the huge salaries that some CEOs at charitable organizations often get. Bravo Krishan, may your organization grow and prosper.



Source: CNN

Inspirational Animals: Ricochet The Surf Dog

Humans aren't the only ones with the power to inspire. Animals can be just as inspirational, helping us to see things we might not ordinarily see.

The following video demonstrates how one dog, Ricochet, who had been trained as a 'service' dog from birth to help people with disabilities had to be released from the programme because the trainer was unable to control her bird-chasing instincts. Initially a disappointment to the trainer, she decided to focus on what Ricochet was good at- which just happened to be surfing. So Ricochet uses those talents for fundraising events and has even surfed with quadriplegic surfer, Patrick Ivison. Ricochet has raised a lot of money for various causes.

Her success just proves that if given the right direction and encouraged enough, even if it's not what we planned or others planned for us, we can excel at anything.

Grab your tissues.

Patrick Henry Hughes- Making The Most Out Of Life

I have written about Patrick Henry Hughes before, but after watching another video that was forwarded to me recently, I was inspired to write again. He's always worth writing about.

Born without eyes and crippled at birth, Patrick is a musical genius who started playing the piano before his 1st birthday, and requests by his 2nd. He and his parents have never allowed his physical challenges to undermine his potential, and Patrick therefore sees his 'challenges' not as disabilities but as abilities. He plays the piano beautifully, as well as the trumpet.

I initially wrote about the selflessness of Patrick's dad, who works the graveyard shift for UPS (11pm to 6 am) then spends all day long with his son at classes at the University of Lousiville, and then attends marching band practice, where he wheels Patrick around the field while his son plays the trumpet. He also accompanies his son to various events, all over the country and the world, where Patrick has been invited as a keynote speaker. He has also written a book entitled I AM POTENTIAL, which I also wrote about.

He truly is an inspiration to both able-bodied and disabled people. In the following video he says:

" God made me blind and unable to walk, big deal. He gave me the ability to - the musical gifts I have and the great opportunity to meet new people....."

He can also add being an inspiration to others. If a blind, crippled young man can achieve incredible goals, so can we. All it takes is faith and seeing oneself as full of potential.

Making The Most With What Life Deals You- Amazing pianist Heeah Lee, The 4 Finger Pianist

Some in this world are blessed with an easy life, others face what might seem to be insurmountable challenges. For those with challenges, some complain about their lot in life, while others take what is put on their plate and make the most of it- the proverbial making lemonade out of lemons. It's all about our attitude towards what is dished out to us that makes it either a negative or positive experience.

Though I had some wonderful epiphanies during that first year I was so sick with the Rheumatoid Arthritis, I am still looking for the lessons to be learned from my current battle to get myself back into remission with the Ulcerative Colitis. But as sick as I was over the summer, and how frustrated I can get with the fact that I am still having problems, it's important to note that I am blessed that everything else is fine, including the R.A. I have my sight, my hearing and all my limbs are functional. Not so with Heeah Lee, who will amaze you with her talent and joie de vivre, in spite of her physical challenges.

Heeah is a 20 -year-old Korean girl who was born with pincer-like hands and had to have her legs removed at the knees, but who plays piano like an angel wowing audiences worldwide. What impressed me most while watching this video was the incredible devotion of the young woman's mother, who taught her piano, and Heeah's total lack of self-pity. These are people who looked past what life dealt them, making the most of everything.

This 10 minute video is worth every minute.

I AM POTENTIAL - by Patrick Henry Hughes

Over a year ago, I wrote about the selflessness of Patrick Henry Hughes' dad, who has devoted his life to his son who was born with a rare disease that left him with no eyes, and a crippled body. In spite of his handicaps, and with the loving encouragement of his parents, Patrick plays the piano, trumpet, is in college majoring in Spanish and is a member of the University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band, along with his dad who pushes his wheelchair. He has performed at venues across the nation including the Grand Ole Opry and the Kennedy Center. None of this would have been possible without parents who, coming to terms with a physically less-than-perfect child, came to realize there is potential in every life, and helped their son realize his full potential.

Now Patrick Henry Hughes can add author to his ever-expanding resume. He has written an inspirational book (along with his dad and Bryant Stamford) entitled "I Am Potential- Eight Lessons on Living, Loving, and Reaching Your Dreams."

In I Am Potential, Patrick Henry and his father share their incredible journey. Simply and candidly written, this book is not only the story of Patrick Henry’s remarkable life, but of the bond between father and son. It is also a guide for those who seek to live their own life more meaningfully each day—demonstrating how with faith, perseverance, and unconditional love, almost anything is possible to achieve.

Their story proves that we can all overcome adversity by accepting and embracing, with gratitude, whatever hand we are dealt, and looking at even the negative in our lives as a gift.

As the title of the first chapter says "When Life Gives You Lemons, Accept Them and Be Grateful".

Dr. Randy Pausch's Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams Through Living Right

There are many people in this world who truly inspire, through both their words and actions. I've posted about some of them: Nick Vujicic, Patrick Henry Hughes and his dad, Team Hoyt. In spite of being handed a grim deck of cards, or living lives full of adversity, these people somehow have been able to rise above their various, extremely challenging circumstances, and have found the positive in their lives.

I want to add to my list of heroes Carnegie Mellon Professor Dr. Randy Pausch, who is dying of pancreatic cancer. He gave a last lecture at the university on September 18, 2007, and later shared some of that speech with the Oprah Winfrey audience. At 47, with a wife and 3 young children you would think he would be bitter, but rather than wallow in self-pity, after being told he had only 3 to 6 months to live, he has decided to embrace his last days with joy, fun and gusto. Although the lecture's main emphasis is about achieving your childhood dreams, it's more about living life to the fullest. He talks of how, as children, we have a certain sense of fun and wonder, and he encourages us to retain that throughout our lives. We can choose to either live in a negative state of mind like Winnie The Pooh's Eeyor, or choose to embrace life in a positive manner like Tigger.

Some of the highlights of the shortened lecture:

-Choose to live life with integrity.

-If you screw up- apologize, but he adds that there are 3 steps to a true apology: 1. Saying you're sorry. 2. Claiming it was your fault. 3. Asking how you can make it right.

-Show gratitude.

-Don't complain, just work harder.

-If you conduct your life in the "right" way, karma will take care of everything and your dreams will come to you.

Some very wise words from a man faced with his own mortality.

Blessings Dr. Pausch for accepting death with such grace and dignity!!

The shorter Oprah version follows.

Freerice.com - Feed The Poor And Learn

Want to increase your vocabulary while doing something charitable? Then check out freerice.com, a wonderful website that donates 20 grains of rice to the U.N.'s World Food Programme for each word definition that you get right.

Freerice.com is a non profit organization which is affiliated with the world poverty site: poverty.com. The free rice is provided through the sponsorship of advertisers.

Freerice.com believes:

Learning new vocabulary has tremendous benefits. It can help you:

-Formulate your ideas better
-Write better papers, emails and business letters
-Speak more precisely and persuasively
-Comprehend more of what you read
-Read faster because you comprehend better
-Get better grades in high school, college and graduate school
-Score higher on tests like the SAT, GRE, LSAT and GMAT
-Perform better at job interviews and conferences
-Sell yourself, your services, and your products better
-Be more effective and successful at your job

After you have done FreeRice for a couple of days, you may notice an odd phenomenon. Words that you have never consciously used before will begin to pop into your head while you are speaking or writing. You
will feel yourself using and knowing more words.

This is a great way to help end hunger while educating yourself and having fun, at the same time.

Go have fun and feed the hungry.

Nick Vujicic- Life Without Limbs

Here's another truly inspirational story. Nick Vujicic was born without any limbs and yet this beautiful young man has turned what could be regarded as a major liability into something extraordinarily positive. He has dedicated his life to inspiring others, and indeed he is doing just that!

Regardless of one's religious affiliation, this young man proves what one can accomplish when one has faith.



In his own words:

My name is Nick Vujicic and I give God the Glory for how He has used my testimony to touch thousands of hearts around the world! I was born without limbs and doctors have no medical explanation for this birth "defect". As you can imagine, I was faced with many challenges and obstacles. "Consider it pure joy, my Brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." .... To count our hurt, pain and struggle as nothing but pure joy? As my parents were Christians, and my Dad even a Pastor of our church, they knew that verse very well. However, on the
morning of the 4th of December 1982 in Melbourne (Australia ), the last two words on the minds of my parents was "Praise God!". Their firstborn son had been born without limbs! There were no warnings or time to prepare themselves for it. The doctors we shocked and had no answers at all! There is still no medical reason why this had happened and Nick now has a Brother and Sister who were born just like any other baby. The whole church mourned over my birth and my parents were absolutely devastated. Everyone asked, "if God is a God of Love, then why would God let something this bad happen to not just anyone, but dedicated Christians?" My Dad thought I wouldn't survive for very long, but tests proved that I was a healthy baby boy just with a few limbs missing.

"And we know that in all things God works for the best for those who love Him." That verse spoke to my heart and convicted me to the point where that I know that there is no such thing as luck, chance or coincidence that these "bad" things happen in our life. I had complete peace knowing that God won't let anything happen to us in our life unless He has a good purpose for it all. I completely gave my life to Christ at the age of fifteen after reading John 9. Jesus said that the reason the man was born blind was "so that the works of God may be revealed through Him." I truly believed that God would heal me so I could be a great testimony of His Awesome Power. Later on I was given the wisdom to understand that if we pray for something, if it's God's will, it'll happen in His time. If it's not God's will for it to happen, then I know that He has something better. I now see that Glory revealed as He is using me just the way I am and in ways others can't be used. I am now 23 years old [I think he's actually 24 now] and have completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Financial Planning and Accounting. I am also a motivational speaker and love to go out and share my story and testimony wherever opportunities become available. have developed talks to relate to and encourage students through topics that challenge today's teenagers. I am also a speaker in the corporate sector.

I have a passion for reaching out to youth and keep myself available for whatever God wants me to do, and wherever He leads, I follow. I have many dreams and goals that I have set to achieve in my life. I want to become the best witness I can be of God's Love and Hope , to become an international inspirational speaker and be used as a vessel in both Christian and non-Christian venues. I want to become financially independent by the age of 25, through real estate investments, to modify a car for me to drive and to be interviewed and share my story on the " Oprah Winfrey Show "! Writing several best-selling books has been one of my dreams and I hope to finish writing my first by the end of the year. It will be called "No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!"

I believe that if you have the desire and passion to do something, and if it's God's will, you will achieve it in good time. As humans, we continually put limits on ourselves for no reason at all! What's worse is putting limits on God who can do all things. We put God in a "box". The awesome thing about the Power of God, is that if we want to do something for God, instead of focusing on our capability, concentrate on our availability for we know that it is God through us and we can't do anything without Him. Once we make ourselves available for God's work, guess whose capabilities we rely on? God's! May the Lord Bless you In Christ, Nick Vujicic ONLY FEAR IN LIFE IS THAT I FORGET HOW GOD HAS LED ME IN THE PAST!

Patrick Henry Hughes and his selfless Dad- Inspiration for us all

In my humble opinion, one of the most admirable of personal attributes is selflessness, although not many people are endowed with that gift. We usually do things for others because we believe we will somehow gain something, be it material or emotional, from the act of giving, and as long as we don't have to make major sacrifices. Then there are those who give selflessly of themselves, without any expectations, because they simply feel compelled to serve another.

On Father's Day I wrote about Dick Hoyt (Team Hoyt), the selfless father who has been running marathons with his disabled son for years, and here's yet another amazing Dad who has totally devoted his life to helping his son, who was born without eyes and crippled at birth, to fulfill his dreams. Patrick Hughes, though born disabled, was gifted in other ways. He plays the piano beautifully, and the trumpet, and as a college student at the University of Louisville, was asked to join the marching band, wheelchair and all. So Dad works graveyard shift for UPS, so he can sit with his son during classes and band practice, and then wheel him around during the games. Basically Dad has no life, other than work and son, and yet he does it with love and joy.

The son, too, is an inspiration. He does not see himself as 'disabled' but with abilities, and indeed he does have many. I salute them both, and all those others who give of themselves without need for anything in return.

Get out the tissues.