Giving Back: Big Brother, Big Sister Honored

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County recently named its top volunteers. Joe Ro, Big Brother of the Year, has mentored for more than 7 years. Amanda Lachs, Big Sister of the Year, has gotten close to her Little Sister’s family over the years.

There are more than 1,000 children on the Broward County waiting list. If you are interested in volunteering, go to www.bbbsbroward.org. Volunteers must make a one-year commitment to the child.

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.

Fund Food for Animals: Make Your Clicks Count

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Support Fund Food for Animals every day to feed and care for the millions of pets waiting for their forever homes. It’s free, and your clicks count for something important. Check out their cool merchandise, too.

Don’t buy--adopt. I know personally the joy of opening my door to a pet in need. Click here for a list of shelters throughout the US. Open your heart and you will not regret it.

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.

Heat Wave: Check on Your Neighbors

Record heat continues today through one third of the nation. The elderly, young, and ailing are most likely to succumb during these high temperatures. As of this posting at least five deaths have been attributed to the heat wave. Be sure to look in on your neighbors. Open your doors to those who do not have a/c. Don't forget the pets.

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.

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.