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I watch the news every day and I want to look away, but I can't. I've taken on a few causes, but I know I can do more. I'm curious, what's your cause?
What screwed up situation do you bring light to? What problems today tug at your heart the most? And what can we do to help? I'm through with the naysayers, so please, don't even post if you're shooting anyone down on this thread. Let's keep this one clear.
Melissa Fletcher
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"Make yurts, not war" Bill Coperthwaite, 1973
Very Unique question Melissa and one that I've wanted to address for awhile now.
Many of us have lived in Puna long before Punaweb existed... I recently moved back.
Some of us have ties to the Big Island that exist long before Hawaii was even a State.
What's my cause.
I have told this to many...
I want a better future in Puna for my son.
What I can do now... is raise stink and raise awareness so that my son doesn't have to go through alot of the BS that many of us have had to go through to live here in Paradise.
I don't want my child to have to leave Hawaii to find something that he can support his future family.
My cause.... what a good question.
I'd hope that any post I bring up or start...would help in some awareness that may benefit my child down the line.
I'm set.... I'm worried about the younger generation.
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Moved
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quote:
Originally posted by Damon
Very Unique question Melissa and one that I've wanted to address for awhile now.
What's my cause.
I want a better future in Puna for my son.
What I can do now... is raise stink and raise awareness so that my son doesn't have to go through alot of the BS that many of us have had to go through to live here in Paradise.
I don't want my child to have to leave Hawaii to find something that he can support his future family.
My cause.... what a good question.
I'm set.... I'm worried about the younger generation.
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Moved
That's a good cause Damon. What are your worries and how do you think we can support our younger generation best? A new thread would best to address each of these as they come. Link it~
Melissa Fletcher
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"Make yurts, not war" Bill Coperthwaite, 1973
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Domestic Violence and Child Abuse.
I agree with Damon, if we make children's lives better, we may be able to have further reaching affects. (notice I said better, not necessarily "easier" for the parents that think spoiling children is the way to make their lives better!)
Another cause of mine : After seeing too many people attending personal relationship workshops, etc - I also think (and may be unpopular here) that hard work is a key. Whether it is tending a garden or working in an office, or whatever. Get away from the "me" generation of the Baby Boomers. Put down the self help book and mow the lawn, or do the laundry. Chop Wood , carry Water http://www.interluderetreat.com/meditate/chop.htm
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Right now, I get involved as the situation comes up, help my neighbor, help a stranger, do a little here, do a little there, no big cause.
On a personal level, try to live simple, less "footprint" on the earth, live so that there is less stress on my loved ones.
Live today, not spend to much time or energy on tomorow.
And as I do think about the future, I try to think how I can live a simple life, without a big strain on the earth or others.
That seems to be my way of thinking and doing for now.
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1) the lack and quality of elder care: big issue for me and mine as we take care of mom who has end stage alzheimer's. the paid help that sleeps on the job and seems to think that it's okay to use clorox wipes instead of baby wipes because it would, "make mom cleaner." yes, that's a statement from a "certified" nurses assistant.
2) reciprocity: geez, how much can one give or help a neighbor and not even receive a single papaya or tomato in return? we'll just have to see how generous i am with my cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, mangoes, guavas, tomatoes, mung bean, broccoli and chinese red radish sprouts. can't wait to be amongst you all who are going to participate in the gardening co-op. you have the right attitude.
3) animals: the furry ones. NOT the human ones--those you can't control. if you are not able to care for yours, please take them to an animal sanctuary or make every effort to place them in a loving home.
malia paha o lohe aku
perhaps they will hear
"a great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."
w. james
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These are great! Yes, yes, yes!
I agree, KapohoCat, kids hold the keys to our future. Teach them well, teach them good work ethic, show them that it is noble to be honest and take responsibility even when it isn't easy. Lead by example. And get out and get dirty!
Going about things simply is great advice too, Nancy. Be here now~ A loving smile can travel around the world in a day, a helping hand passes on the same way.
Elder care has always been an issue near and dear to my heart as well, Kani-lehua. It seems many of us today have dismissed our responsibility to our elders. I've worked a lot with Alzheimer's victims and in the medical field in general. I hear you. Alzheimer's is an awful thief and too often the wrong kind of people are drawn to that kind of work. But there are a lot of angels there as well, keep looking for the miracles.
Once I was assisting a lady named Jane, she had advanced Alzheimers. I was leading her across the hall, she always seemed to think there was a step just ahead of her, so I would gently pull her hands and say, "It's okay, Jane, I've got you. Take another step, I've got you" and one day she looked right at me with such a lucid look in her bright blue eyes and said, "Yes, well, WHO'S GOT YOU??!!" HA! I looked right back into her eyes with a smile and said, "Well now, THAT is a good question!"
YurtGirl
Melissa Fletcher
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"Make yurts, not war" Bill Coperthwaite, 1973
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I'm very fond of the little abandoned ones...whether four legged and furry or not. There are so many kids that need someone to care.
My observation is the continuing circle of abuse that is within the families...education and intervention to stop the cycle is important. I would love to see more attention given to drug and alcohol abuse and the way out of that dark place.
Carrie
http://www.carrierojo.etsy.com
http://www.vintageandvelvet.blogspot.com
"Freedom has a scent like the top of a newborn baby's head..." U2
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My cause(s) generally include giving people a chance to make their lives better. Not a hand-out but a hand-up. To this end we have used the crazy cabin on our ranch to give quite a number of people a chance to get started or start over. Lots of failures (people find it hard to change a lifetime of bad habits and bad decisions) but I don't regret giving anyone a chance to try. Then there is the Thai project... a little more of the same further away from home. We also do foster care for special needs children, one child at a time. We participate in a rather new program through Hawaii Behavioral Health that is called MTFC (Multi-dimensional Treatment Foster Care). We stepped to the plate, took the courses, got the license and follow a "not too complicated" regimen that works with a team providers combining services to reunite the kids with their families, the goal to return them to successful living with their birth or adoptive families. Oh, then there is the hydroponic project. Lettuce for everyone!
It's all really just a series of baby steps to make this world a place I want to live in, give people a few breaks like we have had and generally be a "good guy".
Heck, it's just being a Punatic! Aloha...
Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!
I want to be the kind of woman that, when my feet
hit the floor each morning, the devil says
"Oh Crap, She's up!"
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What we do;
For the past 15 years my wife Terry and I work in Alaska for Fairbanks Community and Mental Health, working with kids and families as Therapeutic Family Specialists. We will get a child for up to two years and over the course working along with a Therapist, case worker and the parents we try to reunite the family with skills that benefit everyone.
I also coach high school football and wrestling. Work as a Youth Counselor for the Fairbanks Youth Facility for the past three years. I was a special ed teacher for 20 years before this.
Terry works for the school district as a payroll clerk getting people their paychecks on time! (very important if you know what I mean).
We are planning to bring our caring attitude to Puna in 5 to 7 years.
church, boating, hiking, swimming, diving, talking to kids & older people (W.W.II era) and just walking in nature is our love.
peace
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