Although Halloween is now a week behind us, I need to share a truly amazing, truly eye-opening and inspiring story from the holiday.

Now that I am no longer living in a high-rise with restricted floor access, I have all kinds of little people in crazy costumes ringing my doorbell again on Halloween. It's been a good 5 years since I've seen kids dressed up for Halloween and 5 years since I've had to pass out candy to trick-or-treaters. I admit, I missed it.

This Halloween my wife and I had plans to head over to a friend's house, and being the new family on the block we didn't want to be the jerks with the porch light off not answering the door; so we made the decision to be "that" house, the one with the bowl of candy on the front porch and a sign above it that reads "Happy Halloween, please take one". Knowing all the youngest kids hit the streets early we thought they would get first dibs at the candy and then the first group of older kids would clean us out and probably even take the bowl and punt our pumpkins.

Flash forward 4 hours later.....
We came home to in-tact pumpkins, a bowl still on the front porch and...get this...half the candy still in it!!!! Now tell me this simple little occurrence does not inspire as much hope in the future generation for you as it did me. It's the little things people....the little things.

Do something and do it now,

JD

TAGS: kids, halloween, candy, children, holiday, october, good

EMAIL IT PERMALINK0 COMMENTSADD A COMMENT

In my opinion, invigorating conversation and a good cup of coffee pair well. So, naturally I was stoked to hear about a weekly series of pamphlets called GOOD Sheets that are now available at Starbucks. Each GOOD Sheet breaks down different issues that many socially-minded individuals, such as you and me, may find relevant. A new issue is available every Thursday with an unbiased glance at diverse issues that seek identification and exploration. Want to learn about past GOOD Sheet issues? You can find archived issues of GOOD Sheets through the GOOD website, or you can find a link on the Starbucks homepage.

You may be wondering, “Who’s responsible for these ‘GOOD Sheets,’ and why are they available at Starbucks?” Well, my friend, I’m glad you have pondered this. GOOD is a collaboration of businesses, nonprofits, and individuals who have joined together since 2006 to create magazines, videos, and events across our communities in a continuous mission to define (and keep defining) what GOOD is. Starbucks is an inviting environment to host the distribution of GOOD Sheets, as well as a prime example of a business that ethical owns its corporate responsibility. If you know of many other businesses who give their employees full medical, dental and vision benefits at 20 hours a week, please inform me.

GOOD gets even better. You can sign up for a Super Account with GOOD and receive GOOD magazine for a year, with 100% of your chosen contribution to go to the charity of your choice. That’s right, you pick the amount, and you receive a year’s subscription of the magazine all while benefiting the charity of your choice. I’d say that’s a pretty fantastic deal!

I challenge you, let’s meet up for cappuccino and discuss the next issue of GOOD Sheets. Don’t drink coffee? Grab a hot chocolate or caramel apple spice and join in on the conversation. I’ll bet you have lots to contribute to defining the definition of GOOD. You can even post your comments about issue on the GOOD website for an even broader audience.

TAGS: GOOD Sheets, GOOD, Starbucks, Issues, Thursdays, Charity

EMAIL IT PERMALINK1 COMMENTADD A COMMENT

I don't want to spill the "beans" on everything just yet, but...

eBay Giving Works is turning 5! And unlike most traditional birthdays, this is not a celebration of one. We are celebrating millions, and you are likely one of those millions! Throughout the next few weeks, we are "Celebrating 5 years of GOOD"and hopefully you'll join in the festivities.

We just got this birthday wish from Matthew McConaughey; so we thought it would be cool to show everyone. I'm sure Matthew would appreciate it if you listed an auction for the j.k. livin foundation as well ;-)

Check it out!

View Auction

TAGS: Matthew McConaughey, GOOD, 5 years, Birthday, You!

EMAIL IT PERMALINK4 COMMENTSADD A COMMENT

For those of you not familiar with Utterz, it's a mobile blogging platform. What does that mean? I guess in simple terms it means that you can communicate to the world (on your blog) through your phone. No more spending Friday nights blogging up posts in a hermit-like state (as I do). I'd recommend checking it out! You can check out my personal utterz here. Stay tuned for a What Gives!? utterz player ;-)

TAGS: Utterz, eBay Giving Works, Good

EMAIL IT PERMALINK9 COMMENTSADD A COMMENT