I just read a post by Broker Bryant about helping the starving children, last night. As I said on his post, it's a shame that the people who have a lot of money aren't more interested in helping others, instead of just accumulating more wealth for themselves. We do have a responsibility to help those in need.

Ines,

I have always helped and Contributed, and I will continue to do as much as I can.. So I easily accept your Challenge :0)

Very Good,

Tom Weiss

Lisa - it's not always about money either.  We need people to volunteer their time and efforts to helping others - the place would be a much better place.

Tom - I know you would!  : )  Happy Thanksgiving!

Ines and Rick, I am so glad you wrote about Rocky's incredible work.  I have been communicating with her about ways I can personally help with her efforts and am simply blown away by her amazing, giving, loving heart. I hope everyone on AR will read this and give towards her Mothers Fighting For Others efforts in Africa.  I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I am grateful to have met you on AR!

Ines and Rick...you are so right...we have to do our part...It does not require lots of money...it's just setting up the time.  My charity this year is adoptaplattoon...I am so grateful to our troops...Imagine...I am sending Christmas Cards, candy canes and all kinds of goodies and warm wishes to let these fine people know just how much they mean to us!  It's time consuming but really inexpensive...

What a great post and a timely reminder..Happy Thanksgiving Ines and Rick....

Diane - if we all do a little, we could do soooo much!!  I am also grateful for your friendship.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Midori - We can all pick out cause, there are so many different organizations that would welcome help with open arms.  The whole idea is to give, no matter in what capacity.....we owe it to ourselves.  Happy Thanksgiving to you!

I am so glad you put this video out there.   I followed Rocky's journey and she has so inspired me.   I sponsored one of the gals in the video to go to school and I couldn't be happier about it.  

Have a great Holiday and Thank YOU for all you do!!

AMEN!!  I'm so glad you did this, Ines.  Rocky and Jeff are heroes to me.  (I don't tell Jeff that often, he might get a big head over it.)  ;o)  

I love that last quote.  I've never heard it before, but it sums up exactly how I want to be -- when I can live that quote, that will be enough. 

Desiree - there's a nice mention of you at Mothers Fighting for Others - It's people like you that make our world a better place.  To think that you will make a diffence in that young woman's life is amazing.  Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Sarah - Dyer is one of my favorite writers and with such a powerful message.  (honestly, I don't think Jeff will ever get a big head....it's not how he is....but you know that).  IMHO, you do an awesome job at giving and sharing......it really is obvious by everything you write.  Have an awesome Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Ines...and yes it is all about giving!

Hi Ines, Thanks for the link love!! I love this post. We are all so fortunate to live in this country and to do what we do for a living. The least we can do is give back whatever we can. It could even be something so small as a kind word and a smile for someone that is hurting. I make it my goal everyday to spread good cheer. There are occasions, where I am sure, my kind words may be exactly what that person needs at that time in their life to get them over a hump.

Rocky is truly an inspiration. Thanks for reminding me to go check out her site and her "clean water" thingie she has going on.

Moni - thank you and it definitely is!

BB - you are so right about the kind word and smile - it could mean a world of difference, you could even save someone's life.  I feel fortunate to be surrounded by such caring people that go out of their way to help others (you and Billie included).  Thanks for all you do and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Ines, it is not hard to find people in need even here in the US.  There are many ways that we can help, as you stated, and one of them is bound to fit into what we can do.  Most of us have been belessed way beyond our needs, and can easily give back.  This is a great time of the year to do that.

Awesome Post -- Thanksgiving is not a one day experience to me.   I am thankful for you and Rick and the AR community.  Like you suggested lets kick it up a notch and be involved even if it does not get any publicity.

George - even if you have financial problems (which is the number one excuse), it's easy to find a cause and donate some time.  From a couple of hours to days.  I know I started with a few hours for Habitat for Humanity then another few for our local cancer chapter......it's about commitment to help others at whatever pace you choose.  Happy Turkey Day my friend!

Aziz - I see a lot of local Realtors volunteering  with an agenda in mind.  If that's your style.....then go for it, at least you are giving back.   For me, it's about making a difference without expecting anything in return......because I am already blessed and it's the least I could do.   I am also thankful for your friendship.

Jeff & Rocky are perfect examples of what everyone should strive to be!  You sit and wonder sometimes how they have the time, energy and patience to do what they do.  I have done quite a bit of volunteer work over my life but remain humbled by their actions which shadow mine!

BTW, those quotes are cool, where did you get those? 

Hi Renee!  So nice to see you (withoug a pole!......oh sorry....I just HAD to).  The whole issue is that people want to wait until they have the time and energy and never get around to it.  So it's crucial to take a look at people with extremely busy lives that constantly give and don't look back, like Jeff and Rocky.

(a techie guy helped me with the quotes - with some code.......Jeff also uses them)

Have a great Thanksgiving!

LOL! 

You are absolutely correct about the time and energy!  Time to get motivated and proactive :wink:

Hope you and Rick have a great Thanksgiving day too! 

True True Ines. Talk is cheap at times( except blogging lol ) Its times for action and really help out.

Ines, I am amazed by how involved my colleagues at work are in helping others.  Almost every one has a special cause that they go to bat for and there is no hidden business agenda.  I am guilty of not responding often enough (we have 85 agents in our office and I do get overwhelmed by the demands), but I'm going to make an effort now to try to respond as they are all good causes.

Lloyd - even blogging sometimes.....if no action proceeds it - hope you had a great Thanksgiving! 

Gail - it is definitely difficult to respond to every cause - specially when there are 85 different ones!  But I'm sure everyone can find a way to help, to give and to be useful.

Hi Ines,. I liked your opening line in this post. well, also the topic that follows :)    thanks for the reminder to step it up a notch. I was looking into some things (donate time, etc) and then got all selfish thinking about my life.

JT and Rocky are special people, as are you and Rick.. people who understand what it means to help others. It's a wonderful and selfless feeling to give to others. :)bigsmile)

I thank God for the things that I don't even realize I am lucky for or things that I may take for granted, but He has blessed me with. Health, Family, Friends and the ability to love others, to name a few. :)

how does that saying go.. "I complained about my shoes until I met a man without feet".  

NIXTER - you have been doing your part to help the world and it's obvious to those of us that know you.  Whether we are going through rough times or not, it's about looking around and really appreciating our lives. 

Thanks for the saying....it's sooo true.  Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

Good post.  It's too bad that so many people only think about giving thanks during this time of year.  I try to appreciate everything in my life... including life itself.  Every morning... before anything else, I look out the window and appreciate a new day I've been giving.

Thanks for the reminder!

Martin - those people that look around and appreciate life and what they have, stand out from the rest.  Thanks for the comment.