Category Archives: Making the World a Better Place

Choices that Change the World

Posted on June 18, 2013 by russtowne

“Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices–just recognize them. –Edward R. Murrow (Source: A blogger I have a lot of respect for. I disagree with this quote so am choosing not to mention where … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Compassion, Connection/Connecting, Hope, Making the World a Better Place, Observations, Random Thoughts | Tagged change, choice, choices, compassion, Edward R. Murrow, Friendship, hate, kindness, Love, prejudice, prejudices, prisoner | 8 Comments

“Chain Reaction”

Posted on June 3, 2013 by russtowne

This post is an update for the “Greater Than Gold” song project. “Greater Than Gold: My co-writer and I felt the chorus in the earlier version wasn’t quite strong enough or hook-worthy, so I re-wrote it, and changed the title/hook … Continue reading →

Posted in Action, Children, Compassion, Generosity, Goodness, Inspiring, Kindness, Making the World a Better Place, Parenting, Song Updates | Tagged Chain Reaction, child, dad, daughter, Diana, father, french fries, generosity, girl, hamburger, hungry, Kevin Harris, kind, kindness, Love, love in action, man, old, parent, poor, reaction, ripple, ripples, song, story, woman | 11 Comments

“Greater Than Gold” (first draft of a lyric from my poem of the same name)

Posted on May 28, 2013 by russtowne

Greater Than Gold My little girl saw a homeless man Said, “Daddy he looks hungry and thin May I use my allowance To buy a meal for him?” He was surprised when she reached out With a big burger and … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Generosity, Goodness, Gratitude, Making the World a Better Place, My Beliefs, Parenting, Poetry I Wrote, Song Updates, Songwriting Adventure, Writing | Tagged Caring, compassion, daughter, feeding, food, girl, gnerosity, Gold, half-starved, homeless, hunger, kindness, Love, man, meal, mom, starved | 16 Comments

Planting Seeds

Posted on May 22, 2013 by russtowne

(Source: A friend shared Farmer Pal’s photo). We can all be the Johnny Appleseed of love when we plant seeds of kindness. If “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, imagine how much better our world could be with … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Action, Health, Kindness, Love, Making the World a Better Place, Photos That Touched Me, Quotes I Love | Tagged apple, apples, doctor, Farm Pal's photo, freind, Friend, Johnny Appleseed, kindness, Love, love in action | 8 Comments

Being There

Posted on May 20, 2013 by russtowne

The story below touched me on multiple levels and I am grateful to Forever Awezome for posting it. I don’t know whether this story is true or not. I WANT it to be true, and believe that so many kindnesses … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Commitment, Compassion, Connection/Connecting, Duty, Goodness, Heroes, Making the World a Better Place, My Beliefs, Stories That Touched Me | Tagged compassion, duty, hospital, Iraq, Marine, nurse, old man, son | 20 Comments

Haircuts For A Hug

Posted on May 18, 2013 by russtowne

(Source: Forever Awezome) This story made me smile and gave my heart a warm hug. Anthony Cymerys is an 82-year old barber who gives haircuts to the homeless every Wednesday. Outdoors. He uses a car battery to power his clippers. … Continue reading →

Posted in Generosity, Goodness, Ingenuity, Kindness, Making the World a Better Place, Photos That Touched Me, Stories That Touched Me | Tagged Anthony Cymerys, barber, Forever Awezome, haricuts, homeless, kindness, photo, photograph, story | 13 Comments

Greater Than Gold

Posted on April 28, 2013 by russtowne

The seed of this piece came to me as I read a comment from Diana earlier today describing a most kind and generous act indeed. Diana, this poem is dedicated to your kind daughter and her wonderful mother for whom … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Kindness, LIfe Lessons, Making the World a Better Place, Poetry I Wrote, Uncategorized, Youth | Tagged compassion, despair, Grief, hard life, kindness, love in action, pain, poem, poetry, sad, sad eyes, suffering, youth | 16 Comments

Because It Has A Song

Posted on April 1, 2013 by russtowne

“The bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.” (Source: Online Wellness Network) Actually, I believe that singing a song IS an answer to many things. It can also be an inspiration for … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheerfulness, Joy & Happiness, Making the World a Better Place, Music, Observations, Quotes I Love | Tagged answer, birds, dance, inspire, inspiring, observation, Online Wellness Network, quote, sing, singing, song | 5 Comments

Facing The Mirrors

Posted on March 31, 2013 by russtowne

“Life is mostly froth and bubble. Two things stand like stone – Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own.” ~ Adam L. Gordon Source: Diana at http://talktodiana.wordpress.com/2013/03/31/kindness-and-courage/#comment-4301 Thank you Diana. Your post inspired this poem and post. Facing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Courage, Failure, Introspection, Kindness, Making the World a Better Place, Observations, Poetry I Wrote, Quotes I Love | Tagged Adam Gordon, Adam L. Gordon, courage, Diana, kindness, mirror, mirrors, poem, poetry, quote, TalkToDiana | 7 Comments

I Believe In HumanKIND

Posted on March 20, 2013 by russtowne

Diana at http://talktodiana.wordpress.com/2013/03/20/the-rest-of-the-story/ asked: What do you think is the world’s biggest issue or problem? (describe it) What do you think needs to be done to solve this issue or problem?/What are you willing to do? Do you think it … Continue reading →