You Are Powerful
Today, make the decision to do something. Make the decision to take action in order to help in creating the kind of world you want to live in. Your actions – however small – matter, and they will make a difference. If we all do something, imagine the immense impact of our collective effort.
Today is Blog Action Day, and it’s all about… THE POWER OF WE – people who care, coming together.
Several years ago, we decided to be the kind of people that don’t just sit around bitching and moaning about the stuff that irritates us. What good does that do? We still complain, but now we turn that dissatisfaction into action.
We decided to do our part in creating a world that’s more hospitable for everyone – a world where the circle of opportunity is expanded and where no one is treated like a ghost of society. With that goal in mind, we’re huge advocates for education and nutrition for all. Do you know that about 1 billion people are chronically hungry and that nearly the same number of people can’t read or write.
Those horrible statistics are a reality in a world filled with so much wealth. It’s not right.
One of the first things we did, years ago, was to sponsor a girl in Africa so that she could go to school and receive healthcare. Ailess is now speaking English and is destined for a much better life than many of her peers in Zambia. We also made a contribution so that her family could start a business. Her parents are now successful tailors in the community. They’re able to provide food and shelter for Ailess and her siblings.
Since then, we’ve gotten involved in all sorts of things. Here’s our rule: If something excites or maddens us, we try to put our emotion into action.
So, more recently, when litter started to aggravate us, we did something. When our civil rights were put up for a vote, we did – er, are doing – something.
A couple of months ago, we learned more about just how inefficient and harmful it is to raise animals for consumption. We asked you to join in our quest to make smarter decisions surrounding food. Many people committed to participating in Meatless Monday (among other things), and we gave away a knife to one lucky action-taker.
Today, in honor of happiness and Halloween, we want to start another giveaway. This time it involves chocolate – because who isn’t made happier by chocolate!
In the comments section, just let us know that you’re on board. Better yet, tell us what you’re doing (or will do) to create a better world. Need an idea? In honor of World Food Day, Check out one of our favorite initiatives: Oxfam’s GROW Campaign.
One random person (with a US address) will win a little selection of Theo Chocolate, made 100% ethically here in Seattle.
As we started doing more research on making those wiser food choices, we learned just how much chocolate is made using subpar products and abhorrent practices. We’re now in love with the quality of Theo chocolate and the high standards they hold the company to. We think you’ll dig Theo too.
So, today, make the decision to do your small part in creating a better world. Are you in? Let us know in comments.
I’m in
Awesome, David!
I’m on board! I LOVE Theo’s chocolate. I still have one bar left from my trip that I am saving for a special occasion
We can always send you more!
I can’t say I’ve done significant things that have great impacts on other people’s lives. But one of the reasons why I created my travel blog is to tell the world–well, my readers–that there are much more in the world than what they see on TV. My home country–Indonesia–is one of ‘the victims’ of such circumstances. When it comes to the screen at homes, it’s always about the bombings, or the flooding, all the bad thing. But when people visit the country–I just gave a private tour for a friend from Hong Kong–most of them are impressed by how contradictory everything they think they knew about Indonesia was. But it also applies to my fellow countrymen. Many of them are not world-minded. They tend to know only what happen in the country. So my message through my blog is: “Come on guys, pack your bag and go! Flights are a lot cheaper now”. I believe when we know each other better, the world will be a better place.
Well said. More proof that travel is one of the best methods to better understand the world and other people. Glad you are sharing that message!
Inspiring as always! I am so impressed that you guys walk the walk and don’t just complain about the ways of the world. Our goal for our website and our lives is to continue to contribute more to help those around us, whether it be our monthly contributions to Oxfam, our loans to Kiva, or making dinner for the Ronald McDonald house in Portland, as we’re doing this weekend…. lending a hand up to those in a worse place than us is an important part of who we are. With enough of we, like minded individuals out there I believe we can change the world!
We can, for sure. There are just so many opportunities to make a difference. The other day we were on the bus with a group of young adults who were making some sort of trek from the assisted living home where they reside. ONE woman (a volunteer) took on the huge task of caring for all of them throughout the journey. We thought “there’s another opportunity to make life easier for others.” So now we’re probably going to get ourselves into yet another thing
I’m in guys! That’s really inspiring. I’ve also read your posts on healthy food and I’m taking the challenge as well (if it’s not too late). Thanks for addressing this important topic guys!
Thank YOU for jumping in.
It annoys me everytime I hear somebody saying things like “you can’t do anything, you’re nobody”, or “what you’re doing is futile”, etc etc etc….
Of course we are only limited humans and impact of our deeds is small, but all those smalls together… that can be huge.
If everybody thought like that, we’d still be living in caves.
So, enough with preaching… I’ve got to admit that I don’t do much myself: I merely vote and sign petitions against corruption for my homecountry. I gave some money to Doctors Without Borders. I’m seriously considering to sponsor a child from an undeveloped country.
I’m in.
So true – and we were once those people, saying those things, as well.
Like everything else, I think it just takes making that first step to realize the power of a single small action. We miss opportunities all of the time and don’t help out as much as we should, but we try to be mindful of doing what we can. One day, I’m sure we’ll need help too.
Yes, sponsor a child – powerful stuff!
I’m in! My local NPR station is having a pledge drive, and I am going to sign up for a small monthly contribution. NPR keeps me updated on so many things and inspires me to take action about stuff I am passionate about, so my donation will hopefully fuel others to do the same.
I agree! We support NPR for the same reason. We’ve both been stopped dead in our tracks so many times because we’ve been moved and inspired by a story.
Great idea.
I love Theo’s chocolate! I’m very passionate about people having the chance to get an education, so one thing I do is volunteer at low-income high school to help students with college essays.
What a great idea. We’re big on education, so I love that.
I’ve been hearing such great things about you 2, and then you start giving away delicious chocolate?!? You just jumped even higher on the bloggers I want to meet list.
My passion is volunteerism – the way people with a common goal can make change, and quickly, in the lives of others. I left my job managing volunteers in Myanmar in June, and I miss it something fierce, and half a world away, it feels hard to stay connected. I’ve signed up as an online volunteer supporting adults in Myanmar trying to get into Universities in SE Asia. It pales in comparison to being there and working closely with locals, but it’s support all the same.
Kudos to you guys for encouraging others to make the world a little bit better.
Thanks, Bessie! We’ve followed your story – you and Kyle have been a big inspiration for us.
Glad that you, too, recognize the value and importance of giving back. It’s great that you’re still staying connected. Every action does help.
Just yesterday, we had yet another conversation with an advocate for the “it’s a waste of time to help other people” mentality. I don’t think bribing with chocolate would work on that guy. Why do we waste our time talking to these people