Your Heroic Heart, Train Tracks
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. — Edith Wharton In “Are Heroes Born? Or Made?,” CBS 60 Minutes Overtime reported that rescue efforts by coal miners inspired Andrew Carnegie to create special recognition for those who perform heroic acts. The fund now provides, $5,500 and other support, including Scholarships to heroes or their dependents for higher education at accredited institutions Medical treatment More Early honorees included those who tried to rescue people from oncoming trains, like Albert Appleby,an 18-year-old farmhand who saved a deaf woman who’d walked in front of a freight train on March 11, 1910. Like Elias B. Adams, a crossing watchman who died trying to save a young woman from being run over by a train. And like Peter J. Bacso who saved Lois E. Shelly from being killed by a passenger train on November 14, 1912. Nominate a Hero. As this post ends Succeed and Soar’s year of “Your Heroic Heart” themes, here are a few, Andrew Carnegie words of wisdom, The older I get the less I listen to what people say and the more I look at what they do.Show me a man of average ability but extraordinary desire and I’ll show you a winner every time. You are what you think. So just think big, believe big, act big, work big, give big, forgive big, laugh big, love big and live big. Concentrate your energies, your thoughts and your capital. The wise man puts all his eggs in one basket and watches the basket. Myths tell of gods creating starry constellations for heroes. The word comes from demi [half, unfinished, almost]-god and to watch over, to protect. Imagine a world where everyone goes to bed a hero. A “Random Act of Kindness” will do, as in this post’s video. What a world! Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. COMMENT. Hero as Secret Santa Click Here to View [2 minutes, 42 seconds] Warm Up in Succeed & Soar Sweatshirts Details: 75% cotton, 25% polyester blend Five sizes [Small, Medium, Large, X Large, 2X Large, 3X Large] Two Art Locations [Full chest or chest patch] Double-opening waist pouch Colors: White, Heather, Charcoal, Black, Navy Machine washable Price $45 to $48 Shop All Sweatshirts Thanks!
Your Heroic Heart #9: Fire
Heroes are ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Anonymous Andrew Carnegie was thirteen when his family moved from Scotland. After they settled in Allegheny City, Pittsburgh, he earned $1.50 a week, working twelve to sixteen hours a day in a cotton factory. About thirteen years later, when drafted into the U.S. Army during the Civil War, the young man paid $900 to have someone serve in his place. [A common custom back then.] $900 in 1861 would be $32,250 in 2024. While working his way from messenger to secretary to telegraph operator, Carnegie built contacts with wealthy businessmen, like B. F. Jones, founder of the steel mill where I eventually worked. Another was Colonel James Anderson who allowed Carnegie access to his private library. Inspired by the Colonel’s kindness, Carnegie vowed to build as many libraries as possible, to give poor youth chances to develop their minds. Between 1883 and 1929, over 2,500 were built. At one point, Carnegie said, “It is now thirteen years since I ceased to accumulate wealth and began to distribute it. I could never have succeeded in either had I stopped with having enough to retire upon, but nothing to retire to.” One activity he retired to was the creation and endowment of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. It exists to honor and support heroes and their dependents, including, Harry Amster of Clarkdale, Arizona. The meat dealer was 23 on April 27, 1915 when he tried to rescue toddlers from a fiery, wood frame house. In Sylvania, Georgia, Quillie Addison [a 36-year-old janitor], saved William Z. Kemp from a home so engulfed in flame, no one else would enter. When a 3-inch pipe carrying natural gas erupted, Matilda Aloisio offered her hand and foot to pull Henry Green from the pit of ten-foot high flames. Nominate a Hero. COMMENT. Myths tell of gods creating starry constellations for heroes The word comes demi [half, unfinished, almost]-god and to watch over, to protect. Imagine a world where everyone goes to bed a hero. A “Random Act of Kindness” will do, as in this post’s video [below]. What a world! Giving Tuesday The goal is heroic, whether to make someone smile, help a neighbor or stranger, show up for an issue or people we care about, or give something to those in need. Every generous act counts. Tuesday, December 3. Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. Krispy Kreme’s Butterfly Effect Click Here to View [5 minutes] When Chris Rosati was diagnosed with ALS, he sought to make other lives better. Through November 7, Save 30% on Photo Books. Discount Code: PBGIFTS30 Few remain who experienced an old-time steel mill’s awesome, harrowing and magical world. As a young mother, I worked at Jones and Laughlin Steel’s Pittsburgh Works during its heyday when over 10,000 people struggled and snoozed, played pranks and died in that fire and brimstone world. I saw the last steel poured inside those bleak walls. Steel Genesis Memories of Metal and Metal shares some of my experiences. The books are 8×10, 50 pages. Two versions are available.: HIGH-QUALITY HARD COVER. Printed on Premium Lustre Paper. Normally $125. Through Nov 7, $87.50. See book. SOFT COVER. Flexible and sturdy, high-gloss cover printed on quality paper. Normally$69. Through Nov 7, $48. See book. Shop All Radiant Tree Books Thanks !
Your Heroic Heart, River Ice
We often look outside to find our hero when there is one inside of each of us. Be your own hero today. -Robert Braathe To Braathe’s inspiring words, Andrew Carnegie said, Man does not live by bread alone. I have known millionaires starving for lack of the nutriment which alone can sustain all that is human in man, and I know workmen, and many so-called poor men, who revel in luxuries beyond the power of those millionaires to reach. It is the mind that makes the body rich. Thus, in his 1904 Deed of Trust, Carnegie provided five million dollars, “To place those following peaceful vocations, who have been injured in heroic effort to save human life, in somewhat better positions pecuniarily than before.” According to CPI Inflation Calculator each of those dollars would be worth over $35 in 2024. On April 4, 1917, Hezekiah Abbott – who could not swim – led four others into stormy waters clogged with treacherous ice to save stranded seal hunters. The rescuers rowed two miles. Listen here. Eighty seven years later, on the same date, Lori Michelle Abbott sustained lacerations and contusions while rescuing an eleven-year-old who’d fallen through river ice. By then, the boy could no longer feel his feet and legs. All survived. Read more. Nominate a Hero. Myths tell of gods creating constellations for heroes. Some stories say heroes’ eyes become stars to watch over loved ones. ‘Hero’ comes from ancient words meaning demi [half, unfinished, almost]-god and to watch over, to protect. Imagine a world where everyone goes to bed a hero. A “Random Act of Kindness” will do, as in this post’s video [below]. What a world! COMMENT. What Makes A Hero? This little video presents the Hero’s Journey formula that’s built history’s great stories and is part of everyone’s life. Click Here to View 4 minutes This image is in Sandra Gould Ford’s beautifully illustrated Wisdoms Gallery and is available as prints, shower curtains, tote bags, tee shirts, beach and bath towels, coffee mugs, stickers, puzzles and more. Buy this art. Thanks for your support !
Your Heroic Heart, Facing Lions & Grizzly Bear
I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people. -Maya Angelou Andrew Carnegie was born in Scotland, the second of three children. When he was 13, his family borrowed from a maternal uncle and moved to Allegheny City, now part of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Growing up in Scotland, Andrew Carnegie attended the Free School in Dunfermline, founded by Adam Rolland of Gask, a philanthropist, judge and co-founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. When young Carnegie reached the United States, he stopped attending school and studied people, like his mentor, Thomas A. Scott of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. After selling his steel company and becoming one of the world’s richest men, Carnegie worked at distributing his wealth. One project remains the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. As stated in his Deed of Trust, Carnegie wrote, “I have long felt that the heroes and those dependent upon them should be freed from pecuniary cares resulting from their heroism.” Here are two honorees: On February 9, 1940, Joseph R. Arcans faced down five lions at Clyde Beatty’s Circus in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Arcans was an animal trainer. While dressing for a performance, the small man heard a commotion and found five lions attacking a man who’d entered their space. Arcans grabbed a 2×4 and kept beating the lions. Even after his stick broke, Arcans kept chasing the lions until all fled. On October 1, 1971, in Edmonton, Alberta, Malcom R. Aspeslet rescued a co-worker from a huge grizzly. With a small knife, Malcolm climbed atop 800-pound bear and hung on, while his scalp was lacerated, his ears torn off, his arm broken. Nominate a Hero. Myths tell of gods creating constellations for heroes . Some stories say heroes’ eyes become stars to watch over loved ones. ‘Hero’ comes from ancient words meaning demi [half, unfinished, almost]-god and to watch over, to protect. Imagine a world where everyone goes to bed a hero. A “Random Act of Kindness” will do, as in this post’s video [below]. What a world! Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. COMMENT. Pen Pals Meet after 56 Years Click Here to View 2 minutes From ABC’s “America Strong” series, here a 7th grader’s kindness to a stranger wound up being incredibly powerful. Through Radiant Tree Books, SucceedandSoar.com, and her Fine Art collections at SandrasArt.Pixels.com, Sandra Gould Ford [a former steelworker] creates and presents art for healing and high achievement, to lift hearts and spirits, awareness and humanity. Shop All Books Thanks !
Crushing Conditions
I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance. — Pablo Casals The “Your Heroic Heart” series is inspired Succeed and Soar’s August 21, 2021 post. There, Eleanor Roosevelt said, “We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time.” After the Carnegie family left Scotland in 1848, they settled in Allegheny, now part of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There, Andrew and his father worked in a cotton factory. The teenager would have worked 12 to 16 hours a day. and earned—at most—$1.50 a week. In time, the bobbin boy became one of the world’s wealthiest men. He invested much effort and resources into ending West Indies and Asian colonization. When the United States bought the Philippines from Spain for $20 million [over $757 million in 2024 dollars], Carnegie offered to purchase the islands for the same amount to assure those people’s freedom and democracy. Six years later, Carnegie dedicated a fortune to honor, “deeds of heroism where men or women are injured or lose their lives in attempting to preserve or rescue their fellows.” For their actions following a 1954 sewer excavation cave-in, three men were honored by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. In trying to rescue Richard Fisher, who’d been buried to his neck. 20-year-old construction worker Nicholas A. Bruno, was the first to swing over the edge, followed by Arlin Vance and John Weaver. Within 30 seconds, a second, massive section of earth shoved shoring and timbers forward. Bruno, seven feet below ground, was pinned between the shoring and sustained severe internal injuries. 27-year-old John Weaver was caught at the hips and legs. A worker atop the wall freed him. Weaver suffered a fractured pelvis, torn muscles and bruises. He was disabled nine weeks. A timber pinned Arlin G. Vance’s legs, but he freed himself. With others, Vance raised some shoring and sawed away other portions. Vance’s chest and shoulder were wrenched. After two hours , Bruno was freed. Fisher had died of suffocation. Bruno was rushed to a hospital but died of his injuries the following day. Six months later, and two days before Thanksgiving, 27-year-old Alden Hartz rescued a woman who fell into a hole 70 feet deep. Catherine Murphy had been crossing a field that collapsed into an abandoned coal mine. Because the hole’s sides were unstable, others wouldn’t enter the cave-in. The 72-year-old woman had been half buried, and died two days later. Hartz was shaken but recovered. Nominate a Hero. Myths tell of ancient gods placing heroes among the stars. Some stories tell of heroes’ eyes becoming stars to watch over their children. ‘Hero’ comes from ancient words meaning demi [half, unfinished, almost]-god and to watch over, to protect. A “Random Act of Kindness” qualifies, as in this post’s video. Imagine a world where everyone goes to bed a hero. Wouldn’t more monuments honoring these kinds of heroes be great? Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. COMMENT. Stranger’s Gift Inspires Grieving Widow Click Here to View [2 minutes, 36 seconds] As a young mother, I worked at Jones and Laughlin Steel’s Pittsburgh Works during its heyday when over 10,000 people struggled and snoozed, played and died in that fire and brimstone world. I saw the last steel poured inside those bleak walls. I watched those miles of cinder and char change as new life evolved from the mill’s ashes. Steel Genesis presents images and experiences of making steel, the metal and human mettle. Book Details: High quality, soft laminate cover. 50 Pages. 8×10, $69. Preview. Hard Back, printed on Premium Lustre Paper. 8×10, $125. Previews. Shop All Radiant Tree Books Thanks!
Your Heroic Heart # 5, Electric Danger
That best portion of a man’s life, his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love. – William Wordsworth When steel magnate Andrew Carnegie sold his company to banker J. P. Morgan, that transaction created the first billion-dollar corporation. With his wealth, Carnegie sponsored free, public libraries. Over 2,500 were built during his lifetime. He funded the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. In 1889, he wrote The Gospel of Wealth, stating fortunes should be considered a public trust that should benefit others. Carnegie’s 5’3” body housed giant ideas. He believed heroic acts must be recognized. His Deed of Trust said, “A medal shall be given to the hero, or widow, or next of kin, which shall recite the heroic deed it commemorates, that descendants may know and be proud of their descent. The medal shall be given for the heroic act, even if the doer be uninjured, and also a sum of money.” In 1930, three earned Carnegie Medal by risking electrocution. On July 12, in Williamsburg, Kentucky, 22-year-old Harry M. Snyder tried to save an electrician who’d picked up a broken wire. In a heavy rain, Snyder grabbed the man’s protective glove. Both men fell and lay unconscious as 2,300-volts flashed. When the current was shut off, Snyder suffered severe burns but recovered. The electrician, could not be revived. Read more. One month later, in Painesville, Ohio, Sheldon Joseph Harris tried to knock a fellow electrician free from a steel crossarm charged with 2,300 volts. Both fell ten feet, with 20-year-old Harris landing on a charged wire. Neither survived. Read more. On December 4, 1930, in Emory Georgia, Arthur W. McKinney climbed to the top of a transformer, leapt to a beam and tugged an unconscious co-worker’s leg. Fred Maxwell hadn’t realized the wires and switches on the steel structure were live, carrying 19,000 volts. Both lived. Read more. NOTE: Because the human body conducts electricity, a person in contact with electrical current should never be touched with bare hands. Read more. Myths tell of ancient gods placing heroes among the stars. Some stories tell of heroes’ eyes becoming stars to watch over their children. ‘Hero’ comes from ancient words meaning demi [half, unfinished, almost]-god and to watch over, to protect. Imagine a world where everyone goes to bed a hero. Nominate a Hero. Succeed and Soar! A Kindness Curriculum Click Here to View [3 minutes, 50 seconds] Radiant Tree Books presents Succeed & Soar’s “Wise Ways” Collection Wise Ways shares meditations on making the most of each moment. Some were presented in Sandra’s first, blog, SoulSongz [at WordPress.com]. It still exists. After 2019, these notes were updated at Succeed and Soar.com. 36-page, beautifully illustrated book with flexible, laminated, high-gloss cover and high-quality printing. Preview and Purchase. $12 60-page, Economy Sketch Journal contains guided meditations and inspiring prompts that allow enriching, personal reflections. Preview and Purchase. $19. 60-Page, High Quality Sketch Journal. Preview and Purchase. $32 Thanks !
Hug Power
Don’t forget, you are the hero of your own story. -Greg Boyle When steel magnate Andrew Carnegie set aside over $175 million [in 2024 dollars] to support those who’d performed heroic acts, his criteria included: The life of a human victim must be in imminent danger of being lost without intervention; this must be believed by the rescuer. The rescuer must be a civilian who knowingly and voluntarily risks death or serious physical injury to an extraordinary degree. The rescuer must have rescued or attempted the rescue of another person. Since 1904, 10,422 people from the United States and Canada have been honored. Here’s the nomination form Ages can range from teenager to elderly. Adding this year’s honorees, 10,422 have received the award since 1904. Among those recognized this year were: Junyi Liu, A Fiery Escape On May 20, 2023, Junyi Liu was working as co-owner of a Comox, British Columbia gas station a woman’s car struck a gas pump. As Lin turned off the pumps’ electrical breakers, flames erupted from the car’s front end and a gallon of gas caught fire. Then propane spilled onto the woman’s vehicle, flowing from burned rubber nozzles on a nearby dispenser. Flames flared ten feet high as Liu tried to release a fire extinguisher’s pin, but it was too tight. After trying to reach the woman from the passenger door, he ran to the driver’s side. By the time Liu pulled the woman to safety, flames filled the entire carport. The woman was in shock, with burns to her face. Liu’s hand and arm were also burned. Read More. Robyn Handley, Savage Dogs On Dec. 22, 2020, Robyn Handley heard screams. She ran barefoot from her Florissant, Missouri home, waving and shouting at four pit bulls that were biting into a woman’s body, limbs and had torn off parts of the woman’s scalp. While the dogs circled in a nearby yard, Robyn’s calls for help drew another woman. The dogs also attached her. By the time Robyn again chased the dogs, another neighbor arrived. He loaded the first woman into his car to await medics. She continues to recover from scalp and leg wounds, plus severe eye and facial damage. The second woman was treated for bites to her legs. The dogs later attacked two more people. One was hit by a car. The other three were caught and euthanized. All three women were in their mid sixties. Read More. Myths tell of ancient gods placing heroes among the stars. Some stories tell of heroes’ eyes becoming stars to watch over their children. ‘Hero’ comes from ancient words meaning demi [half, unfinished, almost]-god and to watch over, to protect. A “Random Act of Kindness” qualifies, as in this post’s video. Imagine a world where everyone goes to bed a hero. Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire.COMMENT. A Bond for the Ages Click Here to View [5 minutes, 19 seconds] Heroes can come at all ages. Here, a 4-year-old opens an elderly widower to a love he didn’t know existed. First aired November 18, 2016. This Month, Shop Inspiring Succeed & Soar Weekenders Details: Chic tote perfect for a day on the town, staycation or weekend Soft, spun poly-poplin fabric Double-stitched seams for added durability Size: 24”x16” 1” thick rope, color choices: White or Natural Cleaning: spot clean or dry clean Shop All Weekenders Thanks!
Your Heroic Heart, Money Multiplies
The “Heroic Hearts” series is inspired Succeed and Soar’s August 21, 2021 post. There, Eleanor Roosevelt said, “We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time.” How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time. –Morgan Freeman On March 12, 1904, in New York City, the Deed of Trust created by steel industrialist Andrew Carnegie opened, Gentlemen: We live in a heroic age. Not seldom are we thrilled by deeds of heroism where men or women are injured or lose their lives in attempting to preserve or rescue their fellows; such the heroes of civilization. The heroes of barbarism maimed or killed theirs. * Carnegie then created a fund from which “the heroes and those dependent upon them should be freed from pecuniary cares resulting from their heroism.” One of the first awardees was Richard X. Hughes of Bangor, Pennsylvania. Hughes was 42 and working in a slate quarry. Hughes sought shelter when an explosive blast was set then noticed John R. Owens had been blinded by burning powder and both could not find his way and stood near a cliff. With his own life in danger, Hughes ran from his safe place and carried Owens from harm. The 10,000th Carnegie Hero was Vickie Tillman of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. On February 19, 2017, Tillman stopped her car and called 911 when she saw Billy A. Aime being assaulted and bloodied, resulting in a concussion. The 56-year-old cafeteria worker next left her car and jumped on the attacker’s back to keep him from grabbing the police officer’s gun. She then restrained the assailant until help arrived. [The lady looks pretty petite in this picture.] ‘Hero’ comes from ancient words meaning demi [half, unfinished, almost]-god and to watch over, to protect. A “Random Act of Kindness” qualifies, as in this post’s video. Imagine a world where everyone goes to bed a hero. Found Money Multiplies Click Here to View [3 minutes, 50 seconds] A child finds money in restaurant parking lot. How he spends the windfall snowballs. First aired March 29, 2014 COMMENT. This month shop Succeed and Soar art on towels. Details: Luxurious, brushed microfiber 100% cotton back for maximum absorption Top of towel has image, back of towel is white Three sizes: Hand towel 15” x 30” Bath towel 32”x 64” and Bath Sheet 37” x 74” Machine wash cold, tumble dry at low heat Personalized art arrangement Place vertical or horizontal on towel Change size and position Select from dozens of background colors See all towels. Shop all Fine Art America Collections. Thanks.
Your Heroic Heart #1 – Debut
Updated March 30, 2024 The “Heroic Hearts” series is inspired by Succeed and Soar’s August 21, 2021 post. There, Eleanor Roosevelt said, “We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time.” Heroes are the ones who inspire us to be better, to do better, to live better. – Anonymous In 1904, Andrew Carnegie created a Deed of Trust that began,We live in a heroic age. Not seldom are we thrilled by deeds of heroism where men or women are injured or lose their lives in attempting to preserve or rescue their fellows; such the heroes of civilization. … I have long felt that the heroes and those dependent upon them should be freed from pecuniary cares resulting from their heroism, and, as a fund for this purpose, I have transferred to the Commission five million dollars of First Collateral Five Per Cent. Bonds of the United States Steel Corporation. One hundred twenty years later — with a cumulative inflation of over 3,000 percent — Carnegie would have launched the fund with $173,267,977.43. The first honoree was Louis A. Baumann, Jr. who was 17 when Charles Stevick called for help while drowning in an abandoned farm’s deep ravine. The record reads, Baumann immediately dived into the pond, but when he reached Charles, Charles grabbed his leg. Baumann broke free and returned to the bank to regain his breath. He swam back out and dived for Charles, then took him to the surface, but Charles again grabbed Baumann, and both submerged. Again Baumann broke free and returned to the bank. A third time he swam out to Charles, that time managing to get Charles close enough to the bank for the other boys, who formed a chain, to drag both from the water. All survived. On August 9, 2007, Connecticut State Trooper Nicholas P. Leary rescued a woman from a burning building in Danielson, Massachusetts, without either the training or equipment. After crawling into the woman’s burning bedroom, she was rescued as flames breached the apartment’s walls. Leary donated the financial grant that accompanied the Carnegie Medal to The Jimmy Fund of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brookline, Massachusetts. ‘Hero’ comes from ancient words meaning demi [half, unfinished, almost]-god and to watch over, to protect. This definition means we can all be heroes, often. Imagine a world where everyone performed such a deed daily. Not much is required. A Random Act of Kindness as in the video below will do. What a life! How will you become a hero each day? Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. COMMENT. A Random Acts of Kindness Click Here to View [90 seconds] In this ABC News “America Strong” with David Muir that aired February 20, 2024, see how Dollar Store pajamas turned a school bus driver into a hero. This Month, Shop Inspiring Succeed & Soar Posters Sizes from 8”x6.5” to the popular 30” x 23.5” Four Shape Options: Natural, Vertical, Horizontal and Square Printed on acid-free paper with archival inks Includes 1” white border to allow for future framing and mounting View All Posters Thanks for shopping!
Generous Success
For our own success to be real, it must contribute to the success of others. — Eleanor Roosevelt In Invisible Acts of Power, Caroline Myss, Ph.D. says there is a fundamental aspect of human nature that needs to reach out to others. Documentaries on BBC’s Planet Earth and National Geographic Wild show that other mammals have the same capacity. [Perhaps some aves, feathered creatures, and aquatic vertebrates too.] The ways humans choose to be generous [now that we’re building skyscrapers and space ships] sets us apart. We can give for many reasons, which could — let’s face the truth — be selfish, ego boosting acts. We achieve magnificence when, as Myss wrote, “The warm glow we get from helping others is not just a good physical feeling – it is the energy of a healing grace that moves between the giver and the receiver and blesses both.” Bless means to ‘invoke divine favor.’ Bless involves a mutually and spiritually elevating sharing. In the success realm, Forbes offers “10 Ways to Help Others That Will Lead to Your Success,” including: Share knowledge [while advancing your personal education] Introductions [providing beneficial connections and contacts] Read more Succeed and Soar’s “Your Heroic Heart” post suggested: Imagine a world where gradually, one-by-one, more people become heroes? The process is simple: Random acts of kindness qualify. I think the fear-driven stinginess and meanness that has surfaced lately opens opportunities to see those niggardly behaviors for what they are. [Did you know there’s a movement to declare Greed a mental disorder?] That understood, we can choose healthier, more magnificent and noble ways of being. DivineSparks, a blog that collects, “words, pictures and other forms of media that remind me I’m a spiritual being having a human experience,” offered this Invisible Acts of Power insight, Anything you do for others, as well as the support you receive in your own life, has healing consequences for the whole human community. Succeed and Soar! Support Succeed and Soar this Month. Keep these inspirations glowing and growing. Shopping at Sandra’s Gifts and/or Sandra’s Galleries also helps. Invest Here. Thanks! Mark your calendar Let’s chat first Thursday, 7pm Pittsburgh [Eastern US] time. Succeed and Soar‘s first Zoom Chat touched on the Big Bang, Critical Race Theory, how thought becomes physical matter and more. Goal: Build community by sharing uplifting, enlightening conversations. See you December 2nd when we can also discuss Ivan Doig’s uplifting and fun novel, Last Bus to Wisdom. Eleanor’s Insights Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here