It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad Dog World

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Today is bittersweet. Football great, media personality, businessman, and all-around good guy Jim Mandich has lost his battle with cancer. Mercifully, he suffers no more. My heart goes out to his family.

Even while suffering through his own illness and treatment, Jim took the time to raise money for cancer awareness during a bike ride to benefit the UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Research Center. 

I met Jim years ago at a remote broadcast at a local bar. During a break, my husband asked him which ring he wears. Jim promptly handed him his 1972 superbowl ring, the one from the only undefeated season in football history, and returned to his broadcast.

Jim was gracious, generous, and grateful for all the gifts in his life. Jim lived.

We’ll miss you, Mad Dog.

The karmatastic life is a way of thinking, doing, being. Collective good deeds have the power to clarify the present, shape the future, and heal the past.

© 2011 Karmatastic. All rights reserved.

Earth Day 2011: Green Is Good

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Today marks the 41^st Earth Day.

I remember the first Earth Day, in 1970. I grew up in a college town and it was pretty much a hippie thing. Electric. Exciting.

Earth Day has evolved considerably, out of great--and grave--necessity. Note, for example, the disappearance of bees. Food production is dependent on these little guys. Frogs are disappearing, too. Frogs matter, you know. They are the environmental barometer, the first species to go.

Check out how Sir Richard Branson is working to fight climate change. How cool is that dude?

The Little Things Are the Big Things

A few small changes can help make a difference:

• Wrap gifts in reusable canvas bags. Two gifts in one, and no more plastic shopping bags.
• Tell Walgreens to stop putting prescriptions in plastic bags.
• If you wrap your breakfast or lunch in foil, save it and reuse it for a few days. Then recycle it.

 We have only one go-around. Please share your ideas.

The karmatastic life is a way of thinking, doing, being. Collective good deeds have the power to clarify the present, shape the future, and heal the past.

© 2011 Karmatastic. All rights reserved.

It’s a Wonderful Life: Boy Saves Sister Using CPR

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A 9-year-old boy used CPR to save his 2-year-old sister after he found her floating unconscious in a pool. Tristin Saghin of Mesa, AZ, said he learned CPR from watching television. While many of us passed by the newscast demos of such things, Tristin was apparently paying attention.

Remember George Bailey of “It’s a Wonderful Life”? Bailey saved the life of his younger brother, who had fallen through the ice. Bailey thought his life held no meaning or purpose until he was taken back in time by guardian angel Clarence Odbody.

Bailey went on to save the town pharmacist and later the town. His brother enlisted in WWII and was awarded the Medal of Honor.

What does the future hold for karmatastic young Tristin? His sister?

It is a wonderful life.

The karmatastic life is a way of thinking, doing, being. Collective good deeds have the power to clarify the present, shape the future and heal the past.

© 2011 Karmatastic. All rights reserved.

It's Time Like These We Give and Give Again

The karmatastic life is a way of thinking, doing, being. Collective good deeds have the power to clarify the present, shape the future, and heal the past.

A colleague cleaned out her closet this weekend. Plenty of stuff that would probably go unmissed in all our closets. She's donating to Women in Distress/Kids in Distress. There is also a great organization that takes women biz clothes for women starting over. DO NOT toss your old work clothes/shoes/bags. Someone can use them.

Who’s Who?

The karmatastic life is a way of thinking, doing, being. Collective good deeds have the power to clarify the present, shape the future and heal the past.

Someone of note in my community was just laid to rest.

I was delayed by a police-escorted motorcade early in the morning. A handful of towncars sped through; traffic was closed east and west. The escorted vehicles turned onto a dusty, dirty street in a very poor neighborhood.

A few hours later--on a nearby, parallel route I deliberately avoid--I was delayed by police as dozens of cars were directed into a cemetery.

At first I was annoyed; then, I realized the community must be recognizing the contributions of someone special. Someone perhaps karmatastic.

Who was this person? What was his or her contribution to this close-knit community? What did he or she do to create such an outpouring? I don’t yet know but I can say there are some amazing people who have contributed to the history of the community in which I live. People who, by doing good, have created good karma.

The point here is: follow the signs. Was it a coincidence that I was stopped not once but twice for this funeral procession? On a route I seldom take? Watch. Listen. Learn about and celebrate the karmatastic people in your community.

This content is copyright of Karmatastic - © 2011 Karmatastic. All rights reserved.

Hot Dog Girl: You Do What You’ve Gotta Do

The karmatastic life is a way of thinking, doing, being. Collective good deeds have the power to clarify the present, shape the future, and heal the past.

I saw this chick dressed as a hot dog. She was tall, lean, and tan, looking very much like a weiner, with a looong tan vest as a bun. Hot Dog Girl was advertising for a business in the strip mall across the way. I wondered, what was the interview like for Hot Dog Girl? Did the ad state certain physical, weiner-like, characteristics were required? Who didn’t make the cut?

I considered—briefly-- snapping a photo of Hot Dog Girl but thought better. I was once chased by a costumed man outside of a cell phone store. I was trying out my new picture phone when Cell Phone Man became agitated, waving his doughy costume arms and coming toward me in a menacing fashion. Very funny pics but not such a safe experience and certainly not something I would recommend.

Across town, there’s  an income tax provider who hires people to dress as the Statue of Liberty to attract business. I’ve seen a Statue rocking out with an iPod, smoking a cigarette, waving down cars.

What these folks have in common is the need to work and even, in the eyes of some, perform demeaning work. We’ve all seen Chicken Guy, Cell Phone Guy, and maybe even a Hot Dog Girl. These aren’t just high schoolers—some are adults who have been forced to take such jobs. How do they maintain a sense of dignity? Do they tell their friends? What if someone they know drives by and recognizes them? Being karmatastic requires that we all do our best, at anything and for anyone, if it means providing for ourselves and/or our families.

Face it, pretty much all of us have to work. Some dignity would be nice. But maybe these folks find dignity in doing the best at what they are doing at the time. If you’re gonna be the Statue of Liberty, rock out! If you’re Hot Dog Girl look like a hot dog. Dance, Chicken Man. (Cell Phone Man, you do not have to be aggressive!) The point is, we do what we have to do to make ends meet.

 Would I dress as a hot dog if I had to? You betcha. Would you?