while i was on vacation in mexico, i met these 2 little kids who were bothering their parents who were trying to nap in the sun.  we wound up building a sand castle while their parents got to relax.

i guess helping people works great for everybody… the parents got some time off, the kids had alot of fun, and i had fun too

but what a great concept.  i will think about this challenge daily and try to do my part

jakem- that is very nice, i am sure that the parents were happy for a little rest. It helps to think of the little things that inspire you. Without them we are just grumpy people. We all know people like that.

I am happy to report that my father is still with us. Last week my sister and I along with our kids and mom, drove my dad to Florida. It was so nice to sit on the beach with him. He just watched the kids play. The sound of the ocean is so soothing. As we were sitting there he commented that it must be what heaven is like. He has made it beyond the 2 month mark. I hope he can hold on long enough to feel the warm sunshine and see the spring flowers.

As we move into this new year, I am hesitant to wish people a happy new year. I am just glad to see another day, I do not want to look all of the way into the year. So to all of you .... happy new day. I hope that it is good and safe, I hope that you see the sun and soak it up.

jakem, that to me is a good example of “helping the world”...When you see what someone needs, you truly have what someone needs, and then you share it…how little, or even insignificant it may seem…the natural ebb and flow that sustains…instead of giving away what we don’t really have…eroding the shore away.  Sorry for the corny metaphors..just kind of happened.

nogali…just wanted to let you know that you (& your dad) have been in my thoughts…really.  Glad to hear you’re enjoying your time together.  What more can I say?  This is “A Challenge”.  And, we are all together in “it”, whatever our example(s).

Agreed.  I’ve been thinking of you, too, and glad to hear that your dad was able to enjoy that trip.

Well, first I would like to say that it nice to see Jack a little star stricken. It makes me feel like a little less of an idiot.

Now…...My Dad is in his last few hours. I know you are probably wondering, ‘Why in the hell are you on the Jack Johnson website?’ The answer is that I am not sure.

My heart is broken. He is down to just moaning. He gave me a hug this morning, but has now lost any normal function.

My challenge will be to come out of this, with something positive. I’m sure it will come to me. I’ll be back in a while.

Nogali I am really sorry to hear that, it’s so sad and I wish you all the best for future.
I am sure music will support you in those hard times as it will also be a support for others in hard times and also helped me as I needed it. You are a very important part of this great community and we are with you.

nogali-my thoughts and prayers are with you and your father.

Nogali, {{{Hugs}}} I am a phone call or email away if you ever need an ear.

When I was at target today, a ring had fallen off of its packaging, and because I love Target so dang much, I let the person know. It made me feel good, but its not even a big deal!

The right thing to do!  There’s a point where I just think that there’s the right thing to do, and we need to make the right choice.  The whole “karma” theory.  And, we’re tested, and tested, until, well, who knows?  And, what can be tricky, is that the right answer isn’t always as we’ve been trained to discern from wrong…

Well, my Dad passed away about 1/2 hour after i last posted. I was holding his hand. I don’t think i will be back. Thanks to every one for the thoughts. I have tried to make things good I will keep trying. Good luck to everyone.

Today I asked people that I did not know, “how was your day? then they would ask me back….. and i would reply ” trying to make the world a better place” then we alway both smile and think….

Well, I’m new here. But Nogali, my prayers are with you and your family in this time. Blessings.

Now on topic, I’m a mom of four who just recently divorced my alchoholic husband of 12 years. Things are rough. No job and just barely scraping by. That is untill I read this thread. It was kind of like a little wake up call. Stop feeling so sorry for myself.

So today, I took the kids to the park and played for a very long time. Got good and dirty. It was time to shake off the negative and pick up the positive. Dwelling on the past was doing us wrong.

It doesnt seem like a huge thing, but I think me and the kids are better for the bonding we had today.

This is a very good thread to keep in my mind and heart. Thank you so much for posting it.

Nogali, it’s the first time I’ve been on since your last post….you must be so sad. 

But I am just struck each time I go to this thread at what a difference you have made here.  I think this thread has more hits and comments than any other.  And the two threads after yours just illustrate how touching people in little ways really does make a big difference.  You are such an inspiration.

We’ll be waiting for you to be ready to come back.  Now I feel like we all need to take up the Challenge and keep this one alive.

This is my first time coming across this forum, but in the summer of 2008 at the Alpine Valley, WI show, I saw something that irritated me beyond belief. Before the show, everyone was grilling, drinking and having a great time, going from stand to stand in the village, doing good, as to be expected at a Jack Johnson concert. When the show was over, the group of people I had carpooled with and I stood back for about a half hour, until the lot was almost bare, and were appalled. There was trash EVERY where, all over the ground, like nobody had learned a thing. One woman even got out of her car, and threw a full trash bag out into the lot. It was even as simple as designated recycling bins and trash cans everywhere, but that must have been too difficult.

We, however, did not just drive away and leave it. We stayed behind in the parking lot of Alpine Valley for THREE hours and cleaned the ENTIRE parking lot. We picked up every single piece of disgusting trash, beyond angry with everybody who seemingly was eager to help the earth before the show. Obviously, the mess would have gotten cleaned up by staff, but shouldn’t it be simple enough to just throw it away or recycle? You’d think.

After three hours, covered in every bodies trash, and after picking up a few more “volunteers” and shaking a lot of hands, (one of the people we were with even found fifty bucks!), the parking lot was completely clean, and we felt amazing. Come on people, don’t just talk. Do. Its honestly not that hard to do something little like recycle your plastic or throw your trash away. We only get one chance.

mahalo,
lo