This may surprise you, but some serious-sounding illnesses and injuries don’t require a doctor’s care – and doing nothing is the best thing you can do – including rib fractures, food poisoning, ruptured eardrums, sheared-off nails, and broken blood vessels in the eye. (Article by Dr. Mallika Marshall, medical contributor to the on CBS)
When The Best Treatment Is No Treatment: 5 Ailments to Leave Alone
Nine Networking Tips for Success
When you enter the networking mixer do you feel like everyone is comfortably settled into clusters happily socializing and no one is aware of your presence? Do you try to make eye contact but not recognizing anyone, give up? Do you head for the food or drinks to make yourself look busy? (Walking determinedly across the room at least makes you look powerful—you hope.) Do you need some tips to make your networking pay off?
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Join me in welcoming a new columnist to the Good News Network who will join us every Wednesday to explore workplace issues. Her weekly column along with a NEW discussion forum here features topics like negativity, stress, leadership, presentation skills, career advancement and networking. Welcome Marlene Chisolm to the Good News Network “Workplace Wednesday”.
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World’s First Real Underwater Car sQuba
The world’s first real submersible car, the sQuba — a convertible! — made its debut at a Swiss auto show in March. Inspired by the James Bond film, “The Spy Who Loved Me”, a Swiss automobile visionary, Frank M. Rinderknecht, CEO of Rinspeed created an astonishing automobile amphibian — the first car that can drive on land, and in water. sQuba will be unveiled in Asia this September. Visit the company’s website at www.rinspeed.com.
Lemonade Stand Sends Loving Relief to Burma
Molly Long decided to take the concept of a childhood lemonade stand to the international relief level last weekend. After seeing a picture of a homeless child in Burma, Molly decided to put her resources to work to help children who were affected by the cyclone in Burma.
“Last week, Molly informed me that she wanted to raise money for underprivileged children by having a lemonade stand”, said Molly’s mom, Gina Mollicone-Long. On the way to school, she happened to catch a glimpse of a picture that was taken just after the cyclone hit in Burma.
This particular chilling photograph showed a child about her age standing amongst the rubble that was once her home. Molly was visibily upset by this and announced that her upcoming lemonade stand would direct all proceeds to Burma.
The response was heart-warming. The stand raised over $40 in about 2 hours on a Saturday morning in the Toronto Beaches area. The customers were passersby on their way to or from the Beach. Many people gave more than the required $1 because of the fundraising effort. Immediately after the stand was closed, Molly and her mom went to the computer to make an online donation to www.avaaz.org, an organization that is sending relief for Burma to monks in the country who are able to bring the aid to the affected regions.
“Molly’s heart is huge,” said Andrew Long, Molly’s Dad. “She has also been saving for months to be able to get her ears pierced. She is about $3 short. Her lemonade stand could have paid for her earrings many times over yet she didn’t even consider running the stand for her own gains. Her heart was set on helping those kids.”
101 year-old Man Trains for Marathon While Tipping a Pint (Video)
101-year-old Buster Martin is aiming to become world’s oldest marathon runner.
He still has a job in a plumbing shop, but in his spare time the 101-year-old is training for the London Marathon while tipping back a pint of beer. This inspiring YouTube video gives you a look at the training centenarian and his beer breaks. He has quite a twinkle in his eye for life. (Thanks to Judy in Australia for submitting the story!)
Autistic Savant Draws Amazing Detailed Buildings After Viewing Them Once
Stephen Wiltshire is an autistic savant. He is also an extraordinary artist, able to draw an entire city skyline in detail (and perfectly counted windows) after seeing it only once from a plane.
As I mentioned in the new GNN-i Forum, the CBS Early Show is running a series this week called “Extraordinary People,” and Stephen along with his London art gallery (visit his cool website) was the first to be featured. To be continued tomorrow with another next extraordinary individual.
Watch the CBS video report HERE
(Want more? See another video featured in GNN-i last July: Autistic Savant Draws Rome After Viewing it Once)
Contest: 3 Free Memberships, 3 Maternity Tees for Moms
[MON. UPDATE Still 2 memberships and 1 tee left!] The first 3 moms to sign up for our FREE 30-day trial, AND send me a digital photo of themselves with a child, will win a free 12-month membership to GNN-i, including the 4 free bonuses offered to every paid member! (Excludes ‘early bird bonuses’.) By sending me the photo you agree to allow the Good News Network to publish the image today in its Mother’s Day article, “Moms are Miracles”.
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I also have 3 free maternity t-shirts to send to three moms who are expecting a child. To win, all you need to do is be the first three qualified participants to claim the tee in the COMMENTS BOX below this article.
The sizes I have are 2 Mediums and 1 Large. See details about sizes — and see more items like t-shirts, baby bibs, bags and stickers at: www.cafepress.com/goodnewsnetwork
You need to be registered to comment, and registration is free to all. See top right corner of the site. (Log in if you are already a registered user). Registration requires activation via email.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: You also need to be a registered user in order to purchase a subscription (beginning at noon Eastern time). Similarly, you need to register to sign up for a FREE 30-day trial (beginning at noon Eastern time).
7 Positive Trends to Relieve Your Worries and Calm Your Fears
Good News Network founder in 1997 Women’s World photo
Given so much bad press about teens beating each other up, getting pregnant at 15 and going to rehab, or the fears that small kids are being poisoned from toys in China, mothers need some good news on Mother’s Day! Here are 7 reasons to be RELIEVED if you are a parent in 2008. These positive trends should calm your worries, and give you seven reasons to be happy on Mother’s Day.
7 Positive Trends for Teens, Moms and Kids:
1) Domestic Violence has Plummeted to a 30-year low. Domestic violence against spouses and intimate partners in the U.S. fell by nearly two-thirds in recent years, reaching a 30-year low. Government figures show the marked declines began in 1994.
2) What Makes Teens Happy? Family Ties. “Spending time with family,” was the top answer to what makes teens happy, according to an extensive survey of people ages 13-24 conducted by The Associated Press and MTV on the nature of happiness among America’s young people.
3) Teen Pregnancy Rates are way Down. Since 1991, U.S. teenage pregnancy, abortion, and birth rates have all declined steadily in every age, racial and ethnic group, and in every state. And, they’re having less sex than their peers did 15 years ago.
4) Lower Lead Levels in Kids – Levels of lead have dropped dramatically. In 1976, 88.2 percent of U.S. children had elevated blood lead levels compared to 1.6 percent today.
5) Less Smoking, Alcohol, and Drug Use for Today’s Teens – Teen drug use has declined by 23 percent since 2001, with reductions in the use of nearly every drug, including alcohol and cigarettes — approximately 840,000 fewer youth using illicit drugs in 2006 than in 2001. High school students who had smoked one cigarette in their lifetime dropped to 54 percent, compared with 70 percent in 1991. The number of teens who had at least one alcoholic drink dropped from 81 percent in 1991 to 74 percent last year.
6) The number of moms breastfeeding is the highest it’s been in 20 years – Gving more health benefits to the child, a closer bond for the mother, and hundreds of dollars in grocery savings for families on tight budgets, the Centers for Disease Control noted that breast feeding also conveyed health benefits to women, including decreased risk for the most common form of diabetes, ovarian cancer and breast cancer.
7) The Divorce Rate has hit a 37-Year Low. America’s per capita divorce rate has declined steadily since its peak in 1981, dropping by one-third to its lowest level since 1970.
Knowing these 7 positive trends, mothers can throw away their worries and enjoy a hopeful Mother’s Day in 2008.
Geri Weis-Corbley is the founder and managing editor of the Good News Network, in its 11th year providing positive news from around the world at https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org – #1 on Google, the Good News Network, offers fresh inspiring news and videos every day, and is giving away prizes and free gifts on Mother’s Day and throughout the month of May. Join the Good News Network as a charter member or sign up for the free newsletter, Top 10 Good News of the Week. (To share this story with mom or sister or daughter, use the PDF or print icons next to the headline at the top of the page.)
Indiana Prison Program Aids New Mothers (Video)
Indiana has begun a new prison program designed to help new mothers improve their parenting skills and bond with their babies. The state is one of only six to have a prison nursery program.
Mothers are Miracles
I am a firm believer in declaring miracles. Why not? It’s so easy to do, and such a wonderful way to create an amazing day. I keep a miracle journal on my desk – it’s the best way I’ve found to keep track of all the amazing things swirling around my life – while reminding me how good things are on the days when it just doesn’t seem that way… Today, the day before Mother’s Day, I declare “Mother’s are Miracles”.
The definition of the word miracle:
Main Entry: mir·a·cle
Pronunciation: _mir-i-k_l
Function: noun
1: an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs
2: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment
Mother’s amaze me. How they juggle kids, running a household, and in many cases, a career, is astonishing to me. When I was teenager, I waited tables throughout high school. What a great education. Managing multiple tables, handling orders, dealing with a cranky cook, coaching bus boys into the results in wanted, and serving hungry guests taught me about the art of orchestration, improvising and doing whatever it takes to make it all flow. I imagine motherhood is a little bit like waiting tables – but without the tips!
Frankly I am in awe of women who choose to be mom’s. Not only because I am not cut out to be one, but because I marvel at the amount of grace, strength, courage, and down right gumption it takes day in and day out.
One might say that the art of mothering is “an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs”. Indeed, being a mom is a miracle.
Today I declare “Mother’s are Miracles”. And say thank you to YOU for choosing to be a miraculous mom. We are all better for the love, joy and nurturing you offer the world each day.
Happy Mother’s Day all you miracle moms out there!
Kristen Marie Schuerlein is a fourth generation entrepreneur who is committed to living intentionally by harnessing the power of affirmations. After 11 years at the helm of a successful graphic design and marketing company she founded Affirmagy, a company that creates fleece blankets silk screened with positive affirmations. Kristen’s positive life force inspires others to design – and live – a life they love.
Sarah (pictured at the top) won a free membership to the GNN-i for Mother’s Day
12 Year Old Artist Prodigy Paints Pictures of God (Video)
CNN reported on a child artist prodigy who, despite being raised in an athesitic home, describes her vivid visions from the age of four as coming from God. Thanks to Marylyn K. for submitting the story! (I found the CNN video on YouTube, after the original version on CNN.com was unavailable.)
Join the Good News Network at noon on Sunday, May 11 (Mother’s Day) for the unveiling of fantastic prizes and giveaways to mark the launch of the Good News Network membership site. Fleece Affirmagy blankets, two free coaching sessions with a business/personal coach and free happiness downloads are a few of the good things that will fly out the door beginning at noon! See more details at Geri’s blog.
AT&T Helps Military Families and Soldiers Connect for Mother’s Day
AT&T will donate more than 30,000 prepaid phone cards in 2008 to military personnel stationed overseas with the help of the USO. The donation, with a retail value of more than $200,000, will begin with the first 10,000 prepaid cards given out at overseas military bases throughout Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, South Korea, Japan, Spain, Italy and Germany during the weeks surrounding Mother’s Day.
According to AT&T, this donation is in honor of U.S. military moms, whether they are on active duty or whether they have a son, daughter, husband or loved one who is actively serving.
In the coming weeks, the USO will help AT&T distribute the first 10,000 phone cards to troops, including personally handing cards to wounded military members at Landsthul Regional Medical Center. Each donated phone card will provide military members with 20 minutes of free talk time from Iraq to the U.S.
The company also recently provided a $315,000 sponsorship to support USO events and entertainment tours in 2008.
“At AT&T, we care about helping to keep military families connected,” said Glenn Lurie, president, national distribution, AT&T. “We’re glad to do what we can to help moms connect with their loved ones — whether mom is receiving the call here at home — or making the call here as an active military member overseas or across the country. We hope these donated cards will help to make the weeks surrounding Mother’s Day a little more special for the families separated by active duty.”
Foreign Donors Open Their Wallets Despite Myanmar Problems
As of Thursday, donations to Myanmar relief totaled $25 million from 28 nations, the European Union and charities, with another $25 million pledged by donors. Friday the Gates Foundation added $3 million and Japan, $10 million. Other private companies are stepping forward like a British tour company that dedicated one of its luxury liners to aid in delivering the relief supplies. (Associated Press has the details)
Silver Alert Helps Rescue Lost Seniors
When 83-year-old Helen Long left her North Carolina home without notice last January, her daughter called state police.
The police alerted the community using automated road signs and radio and television ads that aired descriptions of Long and her truck and explained that she had dementia. Within six hours, a UPS driver spotted her vehicle, called for help, and Long was returned home unharmed.
North Carolina is one of eight states with a new type of missing persons program called Silver Alert that experts say is urgently needed to address a growing problem.
The Art of Word Fasting: Today’s Word is ‘Blame’
Just like we can choose to take the stairs, rather than the elevator, and strengthen our bodies, we can alter our thinking and create the reality we want. A new columnist on GNN-i joins us every Friday. Today we look at what is really going on when we BLAME, and Jack gives us a helpful acronym to reframe our thinking — and our blaming– so we can build the life we want.
My acronym for blame is: B.L.A.M.E. Better Look At My Excuses.
This acronym revealed to me the realization how often I would blame things in my life. When my relationships went in a direction that I didn’t expect them to go, I was the first to come up with a list of reasons to blame the person, the timing or any other way my rational mind could come up with as a reason to the results of my experiences.
Blind Iowa Bowler Rolls Perfect Game
A 79-year-old blind Iowa man bowled a perfect 300 game over the weekend, The Storm Lake Times reported. “He could hear the crack of each of the 12 strikes.” Thanks to Carlos M. for submitting the link!
Britain offers Ethiopia $260 mln to fight poverty
Britain said on Thursday it will give Ethiopia 133 million pounds (2.5 billion birr) this year to help the Horn of Africa country try to achieve the U.N. Millennium Development Goals, sending 1 million children to school and buying three million mosquito nets. (Reuters News)
Wounded Bald Eagle May Get Bionic Beak
An American Bald Eagle was found with it’s top beak shot off, tragically leaving it unable to tear its prey or feed itself. The Raptor Chapter of Idaho and a team of volunteer researcher engineers are looking at giving the eagle, named Beauty, a bionic beak.
Read about the mechanical engineers with real heart — and read news about them. And, here’s a YouTube Video.
Thanks to Emily H. and Asana D. for sending the story!
Pakistan to Unveil $4 Bil Peace Plan for Militancy Reduction
“The government will unveil a $4 billion peace plan that envisages a 30 percent reduction in militancy within three years, retrieval of the areas lost to militants and improvement in the writ of the state in North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan.” (Khbrein News)
Does the Boss’s Attitude Determine the Employee’s Attitude?
Once upon a time in my working life I had a boss who had a bad attitude. And his attitude affected everyone in the building. What should be the relationship between a boss’s attitude and an employee’s reaction? What is the ultimate effect on the bottom line?
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Join me in welcoming a new columnist to the Good News Network who will join us every Wednesday to explore workplace issues. Her weekly column along with a NEW discussion forum here (beginning next week) will feature topics like negativity, stress, leadership, presentation skills, career advancement and networking. Welcome Marlene Chisolm to the first Good News Network “Workplace Wednesday”.
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