20for10

when i first watched the film "when the night comes", i was blown away. and i continue to be blown away each time i watch it again. (i've lost count of how many times that has been.) if you don't know what i'm talking about, please please please go check out the website, or at least read this old post where i mentioned the film screening here in nashville.

one thing that the film really hit me with was the reality of how much we are affected by the circumstance of our location. we are lucky enough to have been born and raised in a country where malaria is not a threat. that is something we had no control over, just as our brothers and sisters in africa have no control over the fact that they were born in a place of constant fear... fear of a tiny bug, the mosquito.

i remember this time last year, some friends and i were getting ready to travel to oklahoma. one friend was particularly concerned about the spread of h1n1 at the time. she was certain that she would catch it from someone else while we were there, or that she would catch it before hand and not be able to make the trip.

h1n1 was considered a pandemic in america, and was all over the news. but look at these statistics:



this... is just sad. i believe this is what happens when we live in the mindset where our community is what we know and see around us. but the reality is, we live in a global community. those fighting malaria half-way around the world are our brothers and sisters, and we count on them for resources. we need to stand up and fight and take action.

so how can you help?

it's simple.

just click this button and sign your name on the petition. once 2,500 names are added to the petition, 2,500 bed nets will be donated, for free, to families in africa. we have the power to save 10,000 lives. all by simply clicking a button and typing our name.



join me, will you?

when the night comes

"wake up, check. make my bed, check. do something bigger than myself? check." - seth philpott

i went to see a movie last night. but not just any movie, this was a documentary, directed by bobby bailey (founder of invisible children), about the devastating malaria plague. the movie? when the night comes


i'll just let the trailer speak for itself:



i was left with the feeling that i can do something, i can make a difference in my world, i can be a part of something bigger than myself. all too often i am reminded of this, but i never follow through. where am i going? this is part of my story too. i need to know where i've come from before i can fully grasp where i'm going. i've always felt there is some great adventure awaiting me. and the tears fell last as i was reminded again that it's out there. somewhere.

if you are in any of the following cities, please go see this movie:
chicago (2/11)
denver (2/13)
austin (2/18)
dallas (2/19)
philadelphia (2/25)
los angeles (2/26)
seattle (3/4)
new york (3/11)
dc (3/12)

no matter where you are, become a fan on facebook. spread the word. act. do something bigger than yourself.

[also, props to seth, rob blackledge, and andy davis for starting last night off with some excellent music. gotta love nashtown!]

it's simple, really.

today is world aids day. aids is a huge problem. with simple solutions.

donate a dollar to give clean water.

give up two mochas a month.

buy a pair of shoes, give a pair of shoes.

walk a mile.

buy a song.

just. do. something.

what will you do?

"often the people who make the greatest impact on the world are not the smartest or the luckiest, but they are the bravest. they are the people who have the gall to believe that they can do something extraordinary." - taylor hanson