Comments on: Promoting Passion Week 48: Find Your Compassion

By: natalie

natalie — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 16:01:58 +0000

Thank you for your love,Brooke! I love the idea about writing a card..I think I’m gonna write it to my very good friend and give it along with a christmas present:) <3 …

By: Mary-Claire

Mary-Claire — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 20:24:06 +0000

This year, my children agreed to give up a Christmas present for themselves and buy one for a needy child. Last night we went shopping and each of them picked out something that was on a child’s request list. We spent a lot of time talking about how lucky we are to be able to buy presents and how some children aren’t so lucky. And we discussed how the parents of these children would feel knowing that they had a gift to give. They were happy to share the love.

Each day I give thanks for the gifts that I have and hope that in some small way I can positively encourage others.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Brooke. And to all you amazing readers out there! 😀

By: Jaimie D.

Jaimie D. — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 16:34:02 +0000

I take my kids out a few times a year for a “day of kindness” where we do little random acts of kindness for people. Somtimes, it’s handing out homemade lunches to the homeless. Sometimes, it’s delivering surprise cookies and treats to friends at their homes or workplaces. We have bought lunch for a military family who was dining at the table next to us. We’ve donated to the local animal shelter, left money at vending machines, and, whenever I can spare it, we buy coffee for people in line behind us. We’re planning our next day of kindness the second week of December, and I look forward to spreading the kindness and generosity while sharing that with my kids.

By: Mareva

Mareva — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 13:21:57 +0000

My way to give back somehow is with a cat shelter. They often post pictures they take with their phone to introduce cats in need of a new home, but the pictures are not always the best. So I offered to go there and take pictures of the kitties trying to really bring their cuteness and what makes each of them special and have the pictures have a more “professional” finish so that it will maybe (hopefully) help catch the attention of adoptive parents. 🙂

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 09:01:30 +0000

Hi – I was reading your list and thought, “Yes! I just found someone who inspires me!” I teach photography in Canada at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design and want to show your work to my students. I think our library could use your books, too. I appreciate what you do. Thank you!

By: Hildegunn

Hildegunn — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:35:18 +0000

You inspire me so much, I just wanted to say thank you!!! 🙂

By: Hanna

Hanna — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 07:00:19 +0000

I love this Brooke, it warms my heart. I have been upset for a long time about people’s lack of compassion and empathy. But this made me realize that the only thing I can do is to spread some love and gratitude myself and maybe someone will follow. Who am I to judge another person (maybe I am just as bad myself although I hope not), maybe they are struggling and the only way for them to feel better is to put others down. That is really sad when I think about it. To show someone love I will donate all the clothes from when my daughter was younger that I was planning to sell to make some money (a few bags laying around the house). And today I am very grateful for the comment that my 11-year old daughter made yesterday: “Mom, I thought about what you said, maybe my friend Lisa is not that nice because she feels bad about something. So I told my friend Mary that we should be nice to her instead of being angry”. It is so important to teach the kids compassion, to talk to them about those things. Have a happy thanksliving, I love the concept.

By: Amani

Amani — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 05:30:56 +0000

It might sounds silly but.. HUGS. I love giving hugs and I really do think that hugs make everything a little better.
I try to be kind to everyone all the time, whether it’s holding the door for someone or paying for someone else’s meal. I think it’s the little things that make a difference.

By: Pink Light Images

Pink Light Images — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 05:11:35 +0000

I have been opting to listen to my inner voice daily on WHO to send encouraging letters to. Sometimes I have a name instantly…and sometimes i’m talking to a friend…realizing the depths of despair…and i stop right then and there and give them HUGE words of encouragement. We all want and need love. So lets BE IT <3 🙂 Thanks for all your words!

By: Simon

Simon — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 02:42:16 +0000

This is something dear to me, possibly as my dad was selfless to the point he put everyone before himself, I guess it rubbed off.
I am not going to pretend that I know much about thanksgiving/LIVING, being from over the pond, it is not something we celebrate, I do however wish we didn’t have to wait for a holiday period like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or whatever, to show greater than usual kindness.
I will wander through the questions and then share a story from the past.
1. Write a letter to someone you care about.
I am not very good at this (honesty) unless emails count.

2. Sum up the 3 events in your life that are most meaningful to you.
I am mostly uncomfortable with this, as these things often involve other people and there are many meaningful moments, not just three and it would be unfair to those that happened not to get a mention.

3. Name something you have done for yourself that has been a positive force in your life.
In 1977 I discovered that a camera can draw better than I can and can tell a story that says something different to different people.

4. Figure out one way to help a stranger.
I bought a homeless guy a meal.

5. With some extra money you have, buy someone a meal who needs it.
See #4

6. Find an artist online and show them you appreciate their work.
I have and I am right here, right now, you have a wonderfully creative mind and appreciate your art more than mere words can express.

7. Buy a card for someone you love and mail it.
I am not very good at this either, ecards count though right?

8. Next time you find something frivolous that you want for yourself, use the exact amount it costs to buy something for someone else.
I generally don’t, material positions mean little to me apart from a photographic stuff.
I gave someone a DSLR and lens when I upgraded.

9. Find someone you’ve lost touch with and let them know you’re thinking of them.
I am beginning to see a pattern, however I did contact an old friend on Facebook.

10.Adopt a Turkey, Eat a Field Roast.
An old family friend runs a donkey sanctuary, I adopted a donkey, I also take part in an adopt a Dolphin scheme, that helps reintroduce injured/sick Dolphins back into the wild.

11. Check out the “Giving Back” page of my blog for ideas of how to donate your time to charities in need.
I will, though I do a bit here and there already.

The (rather shortened) story,
On June 13 1985 I sat in all day and watched the Live Aid concerts from the UK and US, and all the moving footage and reporting, it hit a nerve.
In 1986, the country was in a pretty deep recession and I could not find any work, whilst looking for jobs I saw an advert in the paper seeking volunteers to go to Africa and help with the Live Aid appeal, they were mostly looking for people with some medical knowledge, I had none, but I applied anyway and just said I am young and fit and would like to do something worthwhile that would help.
I was accepted and off I went, young and naive yet bold, what I experienced was horrific, yet as bad as it was, it was also wonderful to make a difference by doing relatively very little, it was both one of the worst and best experiences of my life, I went back for a second time.
Many people will never know what it is like to really have nothing, and I mean nothing at all and the joy that it brings to do something that is really very little.
Those of us that went, made a difference to so many people.

If I happen to be the random one (well I am that) and as much as I’d be honoured to own a keepsake outfit, it wouldn’t fit me anyway so it would be a waste, so please sell/auction/donate it to help someone that really needs it.