9 Days of Gratitude

Day 3

Life whispers in your soul and speaks to your heart. Sometimes, when you don't have the time to listen...

A young and successful executive was travelling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared, instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door.

He slammed on the brakes and spun the Jag back to the spot from where the brick had been thrown. He jumped out of the car, grabbed some kid and pushed him up against a parked car, shouting, "What was that all about and who are you?? Just what the heck are you doing?" Building up a head of steam, he went on. "That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"

"Please, Mister, please, I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to do!" pleaded the youngster. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop." Tears were dripping down the boy's chin as he pointed around the parked car. "It's my brother," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Sobbing, the boy asked the executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be okay. "Thank you, sir. And God bless you," the grateful child said to him.

The man then watched the little boy push his brother to the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long walk back to his Jaguar... a long, slow walk. He never did repair the side door. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention.

www.yourlifehappiness.com

9 Days of Gratitude

Day 2

“It is better to give than to receive” – Mark Twain

I could not think of a more perfect time than Thanksgiving to share gratitude for health, good friends & family. Helping others at this time makes us better individuals. Reminding those less blessed that they are not alone can give them strength and hope that tomorrow will be better.

This inspirational poem published on Prayables (thank you Susan Diamond, Chief of Pray) expresses how we can share with others blessings we have been given.

Giving Back

As you've blessed me,
help me be a blessing to others.
Show me what I can bring
to the table so someone else
can have a better quality of life.
Help me to share what I have,
even if it's just my time, so that I know
there's a child who can sleep
in a warm bed tonight,
or a senior who will have a good meal,
at least for today.
Please allow me to help out my community
in that same spirit that You share with all.
- Ruth Williams

Remember, one act of kindness goes a long way. Bring peace and love into another person’s heart by healing them with care.

9 Days of Gratitude

Day 1

“Thanksgiving is the therapy we all need to keep cognizant of the blessings and the beauty of living.”

As Thanksgiving approaches Women of the World will devote 9 days of gratitude on our blog. We begin with quotes that resonate & can readily be shared with your friends, loved ones, signature & social media outreach. We welcome contributions – if you have a story that reflects gratitude, appreciation, and acknowledgment – we will consider using your story on one of the upcoming days.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John Fitzgerald Kennedy

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” –Melody Beattie

“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.” –Lionel Hampton

“Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone”. -G.B. Stern

“Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live.” - Jacqueline Winspear

“Who does not thank for little will not thank for much.” -Estonian Proverb

“This year let's set aside a few minutes of the holiday
to sit alone and think of the many things
for which we should be thankful 
- then this great holiday will have true meaning for us.”

Go forth, be thankful for all you have and spread love, not violence.

Who Else Wants to Stop Human Trafficking?

Haitian Women Need Help, Too

Can you imagine a world without women? I hope not.

Human trafficking is one of the most serious issues that affect thousands of women and children globally. Many women vanish everyday leaving families emotionally torn apart.

WOTW acknowledges UNIFEM (part of the UN Women) for their work as an organization that is dedicated to advancing women’s rights and achieving gender equality.

UNIFEM believes that trafficking thrives in environments lacking in effective law and order or conflict-affected areas, such as Haiti.

Some women are even driven into the dangerous life of sex trafficking as a means to take care of their family. In many cases, women in Haiti find themselves to be victims of this journey. UNIFEM has been working to restore shelter for these women. More than 50 temporary shelters have been set up to replace those damaged by the January 2010 earthquake. Trained volunteers have served as a way to protect women; yet, there is still much more that needs to be done.

Let’s work together to stop violence against women.

For information on Human Trafficking follow us on Twitter @womenwotw1 or visit www.unifem.org.

The Pixel Project’s 10 Ways to Stop Violence

Women of the World devotes this important month to spreading awareness about preventing Violence Against Women

How you can help prevent violence against women? I hope the thought has crossed your mind, especially during this month. Many organizations are eager to spread awareness about this critical issue by taking action to end the violence NOW.

Here are 10 simple ways to stop violence against women by helping The Pixel Project:

1. Virtual volunteering with us - If you have a few hours to spare per week, consider joining The Pixel Project team which includes volunteers from 4 continents, 12 timezones and over 10 cities worldwide. Have internet connection, will volunteer, we say!
2. Twitter Ambassador programme – A micro-volunteering program engaging Twitter users to spread awareness about VAW through regular re-tweets.
3. Twitter Tag Team – Join our team working behind our Twitter account to bring the global public VAW helplines from more than 20 countries, and the latest news and information about VAW round the clock.
4. Facebook page – Join our page to join a one-stop shop of up-to-date VAW news, ideas to stop VAW and a discussion forum for supporters and survivors to raise awareness about VAW.
5. “Wall of Support” programme -A growing chorus of people from around the world and all walks of life speaking up to end VAW in person, on video via YouTube. Why not make your own – stand up and have your voice counted!
6. Spread the word about The Pixel Project’s work through our banners and buttons. Just right click, save the button/banner of your choice and upload as your Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn avatar!
7. Share your stories on our blog – Where you are a survivor, a supporter, an activist, an advocate or a volunteer for the cause, we would love to hear from you!
8. Support our partners – The Pixel Project has partnered up with a diverse roster of partner organisations worldwide including UNIFEM’s “Say NO – UNiTE” campaign, The White Ribbon campaign and The Sisterhood is Global. Check out our monthly Call-to-Action Calender to find out which of our partners’ activities will be happening near you!
9. Partner with us – If you are a non-profit organization or charity working to end VAW, we’d love to hear from you!
10. Be a Social Media Ambassador - Do you have a Facebook account? A Twitter account? A blog? Take part in our social media campaigns and daily social media conversations. Better yet: Encourage your friends and family to get on board the cause by joining us on Facebook, following us on Twitter or checking out our website!

To see all of our latest updates follow us @womenwotw1

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Women of the World will devote the entire month to articles on prevention, support, resources, and advocates for women who are victims of violence.

One in every three women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence).

This month is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in which organizations and people all across the globe are committed to ending violence within our homes, our communities, and our country.

Stopvaw.org explains how violence affects men, women and children of all ages and how it can be stopped. A person’s life may be severely affected by domestic violence. Women may suffer from a variety of medical problems, such as, depression, chronic pain, increased risk of sexually transmitted infections or unplanned pregnancies. In addition, women as well as men may miss work because of their medical problems. Domestic violence can also be fatal and victims of domestic violence are more likely to commit suicide.

• 40-70% of all female murder victims are killed by an intimate partner

Not only are victims affected by domestic violence; others close to them may also be affected by this global problem. Domestic violence has significant consequences for children, family, friends, co-workers, and the community. Family and friends may be targeted by the abuser in retaliation for helping a woman leave a violent relationship or find assistance. Children in homes where domestic violence occurs may be witnesses to abuse and possibly abused.

Womenshealth.gov lists 6 ways you can prevent domestic violence:

• Call the police if you see or hear evidence of domestic violence.
• Support a friend or family member who may be in an abusive relationship.
• Volunteer at a local domestic violence shelter or another organization helping survivors or working to prevent violence.
• Raise your children to respect others. Teach your children to respect others and to treat others as they would like to be treated. Lead by example.
• Protect yourself. Take a self-defense class.
• Become an activist.

For more information on our upcoming events to stop violence against women, please go to our Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Women-of-the-World/109693405726142?ref=ts

Fabulous Fashion Event!

What is time well spent? For me, it’s shopping with a purpose. Women of the World will host Fashion Face Forward II luncheon on Oct 14 at the Mid-America Club. Talk about the best of both worlds - passion & purpose. Chicago designers Lauren Lein, Yana German, Nora Del Busto, Jermikko & Edla De La Rosa will take us into fall on the runway.

Two incredible women, Eve Ensler & Representative Jan Schakowsky will receive the new Inspired Visionary Award for their ongoing efforts in raising awareness of stemming violence against women.
We will “Count Our Blessings” as we support the Chicago Metropolitan Women’s Network.
We will support the Gen Y’s with our newest launch “Raise Them Up.”
We will network and elevate awareness about the issue of violence against women.

And we can all share the chance for great takeaways:

* 2 tickets to the David Letterman show
* 2 tickets to ANY Southwest Airlines destinations
* 6 months of Professional Coaching
* Tickets to multiple sporting events
* Several varying hotel packages
* And more!

Sponsors welcome, tables available and volunteers are needed. Please go directly to the website for the opportunity to pave the path for the next generation of women leaders while speaking in a unified voice to Stop Violence Today.
http://www.womenwotw.org//fashionfaceforwardii.php