Every morning, I head down here; I light a few candles, sit in quiet contemplation, perhaps write in my journal, turn over various cards, write my blog and then head off into the land of social media.
Social media can be a pit - it can suck you in and never let go. BUT, it can also provide SO much inspiration. YOU pick the people, groups, causes and businesses you chose to follow; as you have gathered, I have a lengthy list of feel good sites I read.
This morning, Glennon Doyle Melton posted this on her Facebook page. I love Glennon, and even though I have never met her in real life, I know her in my soul. FYI: She refers to her followers as Monkees.
Yesterday I sat on an Internet Kindness panel alongside an amazing father who lost his teenage daughter to cyber bullying - and then to suicide. The audience and I sat frozen and helpless and broken hearted as we tried to muster a response to his baby girl’s story. We ultimately decided that the only appropriate response to that kind of senseless evil and pain is to combat it with senseless good and love.
Monkees, meet Whitten and his mama and daddy. This is what his mom wrote to us about Whitten:
“Whitten Maher was from Richmond, Virginia, graduated from James Madison University, and lived in Brooklyn, NY. He worked in marketing for a non-profit think tank in Manhattan. He wrote for the university newspaper in college and designed much of its online presence. He was a brilliant mind, a beautiful writer and a talented graphic designer. Whitten was a handsome 25 year old, and a kind soul who loved spirited conversation. Last Christmas, he lost his battle with depression.”
Today would have been Whitten’s 26th birthday. His parents are dear friends of one of our Monkee sisters, Lori. Lori was desperate to soften this day for her grieving, brave, kind friends. She asked us for help. We said - of course. Of course, we'll help.
Today, in honor of Whitten and his parents and as part of our continued effort to ensure that LOVE WINS on this Earth - would you throw some senseless good and love into the world? Would you do something especially KIND or BRAVE today and post it in this thread? My dream is to gather 100 acts of LOVE and send them to our Monkee sister, Lori, tonight – so she can send them to her friend. I want Whitten’s parents to see that the world did, indeed, celebrate their baby boy's birthday and that their son continues to make the world a kinder, braver place.
LOVE WINS. WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER. G
The music today has come on in my car, I believe, at some point, EVERY day for the past week or so. Of COURSE it did. Apparently, it wanted to be heard.
È il desiderio che
And watch us from above
Ognuno trovi amor
We hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro a sè
Another soul to love
Let this be our prayer
http://youtu.be/iJkq-U7_8ZA