Sylvia Bass

Good Samaritan Rescues Dog

Sylvia Bass — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:40:27 +0000

As an avid animal lover, this story really touched me. A man stopped to help a woman rescue her dog from a burning car. The woman was able to get her daughter out of the car, but her beloved dog was still trapped when a passing motorist risked his own life to rescue the dog.

Good Samaritan Rescues Dog From Burning Car

Live, For Now

Sylvia Bass — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:54:00 +0000

On my drive to work this week, I noticed a new billboard off the freeway. It’s a Pepsi campaign with the slogan “Live For Now”. It shows beautiful, thin, young people enjoying themselves while drinking Pepsi.

All I can think of when I see this ad is “live for now” and “die early later”. Drinking soda has been shown to be one of the leading causes of our obesity epidemic. It’s just empty calories with a side of chemicals. While drinking soda in small quantities does not cause obesity, it is part of an unhealthy lifestyle. Drinking soda in large quantities, which Americans do on a regular basis, is a deadly serious problem.

“If we are serious about tackling the obesity crisis, cutting back soda consumption has to be the top priority,” Goldstein asserts. “Parents, communities, businesses and government all have a role to play in helping to reduce consumption. We cannot afford to raise another ‘Pepsi Generation.’” From the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

Maybe we should live for now, but realize that our actions today impact tomorrow. If we want to live a healthy tomorrow, why not drink water instead? It will hydrate you without adding empty calories you don’t need.

Here’s my parody of the ad.

Anonymous Kindness

Sylvia Bass — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:48:40 +0000

As I’ve been searching for stories about kindness, I’ve found that the ones that touch me the most are the ones that are done expecting nothing in return. Some of the stories are organizations or businesses who do something kind and then publicize their activities. While there is nothing wrong in that, and good is still happening, the acts that are anonymous seem to mean a little more.

Today’s post is about an anonymous donation to repair a stolen recumbent tricycle. A man with a brain injury uses his tricycle to get around. It was stolen and then found in pieces. The bike manufacturer is helping repair it and an anonymous donor also gave $300 to help with the repair costs. One act of selfishness has been repaid by others who help make our world a better place.

Another act of kindness for stolen tricycle victim

A small kindness that changed a life

Sylvia Bass — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:29:40 +0000

Mostly, I have searched for posts and articles on kindness. This one found me in my Facebook feed. Two old friends from my high school posted this story, that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

It is about loners, geeks, random kindness, and crackers!

Rosemary Parmesan Crackers

Seau’s kindness changed Olsen’s life

Sylvia Bass — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:36:39 +0000

I’m not a sports fan, but I have been affected personally by suicide. Today’s post is a sweet story remembering a kindness by football player, Junior Seau, to an insecure kid and how it changed his life. It’s proof that even small acts can have a profound effect on someone else’s life.

Seau’s kindness changed Olsen’s life

A sweet lesson on patience

Sylvia Bass — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:08:10 +0000

This one I found posted on Google+. Please read this and you might want to have a handkerchief ready.

A sweet lesson on patience

Food Choices Are The New Politics

Sylvia Bass — Wed, 02 May 2012 01:08:22 +0000

I’ve been a vegetarian for more than 20 years. In that time, I’ve rarely been challenged about this choice. Occasionally, I have been asked questions that come off as defensive arguments, but mostly people are respectful, sometimes curious, and every so often admiring.

However, since transitioning to a vegan diet this year, I’m met more often with open hostility from friends and family. I find this odd, because all I’ve given up is dairy and eggs. I gave eating animals years ago.

Sometimes the challenge is formed in the cloak of concern. That I can accept a little more, because even though we are thriving on a plant-based diet, they might be basing their concern on outdated dietary information. When we try to share information about how this is actually better for our health, the health (and possibly survival) of the planet, and ethical concerns for animals, we just get tuned out.

I’m finding that food choices are becoming the new politics with some people. If you talk about it, or even eat in front of them, it becomes an argument. I guess talking about the weather will have to become the norm until they get used to it.

Group chips in to inspire kindness

Sylvia Bass — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:40:46 +0000

Today’s post is a bout a group of women in San Antonio, Texas who meet regularly and each chip in $20. The pot of money goes to a different woman who then decides how to spend the money anonymously giving to others.

It’s an inspiring story about direct giving to the community in a novel and creative way.

Group chips in to inspire kindness

Heartbreak turns to kindness after Marathon death

Sylvia Bass — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:02:01 +0000

Today’s post is about the healing power of kindness. Claire Squires, a young woman running a marathon in London, collapsed within 1 mile of the finish line. Although medical personnel tried to save her, she died shortly after. She was trying to raise £1,000 for a local charity. In her honor, others have now donated almost £750,000.

Heartbreak turns to kindness after Marathon death

Henry Ford’s kindness to teen in 1943 still resonates

Sylvia Bass — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:38:03 +0000

Today’s post goes back almost 70 years, to share a story of how Henry Ford noticed a teenager’s need and reached out to help her get surgery she needed but could not afford.

Henry Ford’s kindness to teen in 1943 still resonates