I don’t use the word Hero lightly. But in my hear, KISA EMMANUEL in Uganda is undoubtedly a hero.

We call him Emma. Emma is 26, a young man with a big heart. In 2007, he and his Ministries, Grace Ministries Uganda, started the project, Uganda Orphan Aid Trust (UOAT). UOAT was established with the purpose of achieving the survival, protection and development of AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children in the impoverished communities of Uganda. This is an unthinkable task, giving the obstacles he’s facing, in terms of resource, communications and accessibility to charity organizations and donations.

But Emma was determined to make a difference. He and his wife devote themselves entirely to the cause, They started, in 2008, with helping 7 HIV positive kids. Now they are caring 87 HIV positive children, 96 orphans to AIDS and other causes and 112 vulnerable children.

Emma never takes any credit for himself. He uses the Ministries’ name to express gratitude to anyone who lends a helping hand. When talking about him with a mutual friend, Chris (who’s working with the charity organization UCHF) , Chris repeated: “he is a good man”, referring Emma.

Jonathan Chen is a fan of

Uganda Orphan Aid Trust

Many of these children are exposed to endangerment to their lives due to the lack of health care and healthy food. UOAT is committed to save the lives and carry on continued support of education and development for the children.

When I saw the story, I became emotionally attached. There are so many unknown heroes around the world with their love and compassion who are doing the impossibles. Like many of them, Emma does ask for the recognition. He’s just hoping more people would extend their love to these kids.

These kids are fortunate, because they have Emma. But, “Currently, Uganda is home to over 4 million orphans and vulnerable children who have lost either one or both parents. ” Emma needs help, these kids deserve better.

Let’s show our love together so the children know their future is bright.

One doesn’t really need to look for inspirations. Inspiration is everywhere, from a causal conversation, a sightseeing, a gathering, and, yes, splendid pictures. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

The key is being grateful, being wanted to be inspired. Gratification allows one to abandon the arrogance that blocks seeing things that are inspiring, things that are heartwarming, things that make life meaningful, colorful, and fulfilling.

I have been fascinated daily by the creative arts shared on Facebook by friends, whether it’s a beautiful photograph capturing the elegance of nature, or a stunning painting revealing an enlivening message. Looking at them defines a still moment of joy, rejuvenates the otherwise fading sense of humanity.

I thought the least I can do is treasure it for more people to enjoy.

The Global We: a Facebook initiative of Gordon J Millar. Gordon sets the mission statement for the group as:

The Global We ~ You, Me, Us… ALL of us are changing the world!
compassion for each other, conservation of our world
LOVE in action for people and planet
(( (WE are ONE) ))

Images source: The Global We on Facebook

Rucar: through the Wheelchairs For Iraqi Kids Project by Brad Blauser, I met two friends, Lili Avram and Cornelia Davis. They both share the passion to make their hometown a better place for the people there: better development, better education. I admit that I did not know much about Rucar before. Seeing the breathtaking pictures they and their friends posted, I just know I want to visit that gorgeous place soon, meet the friendly people and enjoy the local cuisine.

Images source: The Rucar on Facebook

Autumn: Rachy is a “musician and artist at heart”. But she’s definitely a photographer. Her album Fall 2009 captures some of the most stunning colors nature offers. This collection was taken around Boston. It reminds me a famous poem by the celebrated writer Du Mu of the Tang Dynasty: The frost-covered leaves are redder than the spring flowers.

Images source: Rachy Burckardt’s Photos on Facebook

So, there you have it. Enjoy!

Being the first real interaction with a local family, I was eager to make a decent conversation with them in my broken English. It was a nice family. A middle aged couple with 2 lovely kids, Jake and Kelly, 7 and 9, respectively. They were curious about me as much as I was about them. The couple were both working for the state at the time. They had a farm north of Madison (I did visit their farm later). They told me where and how the Thanksgiving tradition came from, and said, among another things, they were very grateful. 

I stopped them there and asked the meaning of the word grateful. It took some struggling for them to explain. It finally registered. I quickly searched my Chinese vocabulary bank to try to find an equivalent, but realized there was not an expression in my native language that would precisely describe it. 

The dinner was fabulous, the experience was invaluable. And more than anything else, I learned a new expression: be grateful! 

You see, being grateful is not just a simple reaction to some occurrence. Being grateful is an attitude towards life. It can be just the missing link between tribulation and happiness, between agony and peace, between anxiety and content. 

Furthermore, as research indicates, being grateful is good for one’s health. Studies by the Research on Unlimited Love (IRUL) founded by Dr. Stephen Post revealed that, Gratitude 

Defends – Just 15 minutes a day focusing on the things you’re grateful for will significantly increase your body’s natural antibodies. 

Sharpens – Naturally grateful people are more focused mentally and measurably less vulnerable to clinical depression. 

Calms – A grateful state of mind induces a physiological state called resonance that’s associated with healthier blood pressure and heart rate. 

Strengthens – Caring for others is draining. But grateful caregivers are healthier and more capable than less grateful ones. 

Heals – Recipients of donated organs who have the most grateful attitudes heal faster.

On this thankful Thanksgiving holiday, we ought to be grateful for the fact that we are born to this world, the fact that we are living in this land of freedom and opportunity, the fact that each of us is uniquely created with a sense of purpose – the Gift Of Diversity. 

I am grateful.