The Power of an Idea
Dear Everyone,
In July, I penned a post about the virtue of Liberality or generosity. I mentioned the work of Heather Huffman, who donates her royalties to WorldVision in an effort to aid women and children who have been bought and sold through human trafficking.
Even the smallest amount of research into human trafficking produced statistics that shocked me. Children barely school-aged are bought and sold like animals. Young women are taken from their families and sold into brothels. They need help and they need a voice. Heather has dedicated her writing to both. Her idea has power.
At the moment, I'm reading Claire Diaz-Ortiz's book "Twitter for Good: Change the World One Tweet at a Time. In this work, the author presents concrete examples of how Twitter has been used to effect social change, to raise awareness of various crises and issues, and to focus the world's attention on particular needs. She also provides helpful tips for non-profit organizations. In harnessing the power of social media for good, her idea has power.
Like many people, I've listened to recent news reports about individuals who, when faced with human suffering or a crime, walked away. My idea is that we should do something to help those in need, to protect the weak and the abused, and to stop crime. I'm hoping this idea has power.
As the holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year approach, I ask you to join me in supporting ideas that have power for good. I ask you to do something, not nothing, when you witness human suffering.
I welcome your reflections below.
All the best and thanks for reading,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
In July, I penned a post about the virtue of Liberality or generosity. I mentioned the work of Heather Huffman, who donates her royalties to WorldVision in an effort to aid women and children who have been bought and sold through human trafficking.
Even the smallest amount of research into human trafficking produced statistics that shocked me. Children barely school-aged are bought and sold like animals. Young women are taken from their families and sold into brothels. They need help and they need a voice. Heather has dedicated her writing to both. Her idea has power.
At the moment, I'm reading Claire Diaz-Ortiz's book "Twitter for Good: Change the World One Tweet at a Time. In this work, the author presents concrete examples of how Twitter has been used to effect social change, to raise awareness of various crises and issues, and to focus the world's attention on particular needs. She also provides helpful tips for non-profit organizations. In harnessing the power of social media for good, her idea has power.
Like many people, I've listened to recent news reports about individuals who, when faced with human suffering or a crime, walked away. My idea is that we should do something to help those in need, to protect the weak and the abused, and to stop crime. I'm hoping this idea has power.
As the holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year approach, I ask you to join me in supporting ideas that have power for good. I ask you to do something, not nothing, when you witness human suffering.
I welcome your reflections below.
All the best and thanks for reading,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com
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Thank you Ladies for reading and for your comments.Miss Kyrsten, I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. But I'm glad to hear that you can help her now.
Also, the fact that you've shared your story might have far reaching implications for victims of abuse and their families, as someone recognizes herself or her friend or family member in your story. Thank you for doing that.
All the best,
SR
The world can be such a dark place at times but it only makes the light of people like Heather (and others) that much brighter.Thank you for caring enough to post this. Thank you that your actively trying to change the situation. No small action is pointless. It's not machines that carve the land with ease but the slow moving, small drops of water that carve their way across the landscape.
It's posts like these that are just like the water, small, pure, slow moving droplets that will eventually change the landscape.
squally.
Babs wrote: "It is true that many times it's much easier to walk away than confront a situation. I haven't had the opportunity to encounter a situation like those above, but I'll sure keep my eyes open so I can..."It takes a great deal of fortitude to stand up for something right or for someone. It's by no means easy. But then again nothing of true value ever is. The rewards can not be bought.
I'm inspired that you will now actively seeking them out (they are never hard to find). I think it's awesome Babsie.
Squalls
Thank you Ladies.I appreciate it. And thanks for reading,
SR
Sylvain, I've always gravitated toward public figures--whether they are writers, musicians, actors--who use their platforms to promote social change, bring about social justice, and help mankind in some way. I really appreciate their efforts. With an audience comes a responsibility, and I believe you have an advantage there to be a voice, to inspire. Even the smallest voices can make noise, but when joined together with voices that have a platform, great things happen. Human trafficking statistics are beyond alarming.They never cease to amaze me as I read more and more.I agree wholeheartedly with what Squallogal said above: "It's posts like these that are just like the water, small, pure, slow moving droplets that will eventually change the landscape."
Action is better than nothing, in any case when it comes to human suffering. Thank you for being one of those voices.
Rachael wrote: "Sylvain, I've always gravitated toward public figures--whether they are writers, musicians, actors--who use their platforms to promote social change, bring about social justice, and help mankind in..."Thank you kindly, Miss Rachael. I truly appreciate it.
All the best,
SR
Thank you so much for this. Happy holidays.