WeesyLisa Petrarca (292)    Lisa Petrarca  Lisa Petrarca's Health and Beauty Zone The Invisible ManPosted Saturday, May 17, 2008 (52 days 16 hours ago.) Viewed 19 times. As I looked around, (feeling a little sorry for myself), I noticed a guy with long tangled silver hair, a short white scraggly beard, an old black leather jacket, and torn blue jeans. He was standing up, leaning with his forehead pressed against the wall. I had some time to just observe while I finished my lunch, (which is very rare for me to have TIME). So I just watched, wondering if anyone would ask him if he was okay. The first couple that went by was probably in their 20's and didn't even glance in the man's direction. A couple of ladies in their thirties also proceeded to walk past the man, (who had not moved or changed positions for about 10 minutes), again not even a look towards him. The same thing happened about six more times. The way everyone just strolled by, made me wonder if the man was a figment of my imagination. After about 20 minutes I got to the point that I was hoping and praying that someone would just LOOK at the man. With each new person I thought, "Surely they will at least see that he is there and may need help." Finally, a mother, with a short brown bob haircut, tan shorts, and a white floral blouse, and her daughter (about 3 years old), who looked like a miniature cut out version of the mother, went walking right past him. The mom seemed to notice the man only because her young daughter had lagged a little behind and she was concerned for her daughter's safety. The daughter on the other hand, seemed to notice that something was wrong with the man and stopped to stare at him. The mother quickly grabbed her daughter's hand and dragged her away, while the daughter continued to look back at the man. Next, a cute, plump, elderly husband and wife in their 80's walked by, they too, both looked directly at the man and then continued to look as they walked by, with a quick glance back before they entered the store. The man had still remained in the same position. About 10 more people in their 20's, 30's and 40's passed the invisible man. As I finished the last few bites of my burrito, I thought, "Why was the man only visible to the young and the elderly?" Were they the only one's that were not too busy to see another person who may be hurting? How had my generation become so insensitive and self absorbed that they could not even SEE someone who may need them? I got out of my car, and headed towards the man. I stopped and said, "Is everything okay? Do you need some help?" He looked up from the wall, smiled a toothless grin and said, "I'm just trying to figure a few things out on this cell phone, but thanks anyways." I said, "Good luck, they can be a little tricky in the beginning, have a great day!" He said, "You got that right, thank you, you too!" He seemed so happy that someone had spoken to him. He continued to smile as I headed into the store. The invisible man did not need my help today, but what if he had? Did it take a lot of effort on my part to look at him and see if he needed some assistance? I hope that we can be like the young children and the elderly....that we will be able to SEE someone directly in our path. You may be the one person who can brighten that persons whole day. It requires only a little effort, concern, and time....but the rewards you will receive from a simple smile on a sad, tired, broken face, is amazing! Go out and notice the invisible men and women standing right in front of you! 
Permalink Comments (0) Does Somebody Need You?Posted Friday, May 09, 2008 (60 days 10 hours ago.) Viewed 19 times. I was driving home after rushing to pick up my son's Tux for his Prom, when all of a sudden all of the cars in front of me started to slam on their brakes and rapidly change lanes. I thought, "Now what? It never fails, when I'm running late something always goes wrong." My husband had already called me three times telling me to make sure I was home on time for our very first class on "Finding Your Life Purpose". I quickly swerved into the fast lane as I noticed the hazard that was causing all of the commotion. A beat up, old, dark brown van with patches of rust, which made it look as though it had been spray painted with polka dots was directly in my way. I made it safely into the fast lane as I stepped on my brakes to avoid hitting the car in front of me . I noticed a man who had torn, dirty jeans, an old, poorly fitted, black suit jacket, and disheveled hair pushing the car from behind. The driver's side door was open and a heavy set woman, in black shorts, a black tank shirt and messy, shoulder length brown hair was also pushing and trying to steer the car across the busy intersection to the side of the road. I passed them and thought, "Maybe I should help them." Then I remembered I was late, but the thought kept nagging at me as I came up to the next light. I immediately made a u-turn and headed back. As I was making another u-turn to park in front of them I noticed they were arguing, and they both seemed very upset. I parked my car and got out and asked if they needed me to call a tow truck? They said, "No, but do you have a gas can, we're out of gas?" I told them that I didn't but I would go and get them gas and bring it right back. They both looked very relieved and the man tried to hand me a $5.00 bill. I thought...that will only get them one gallon of gas. I said, "Don't worry about it." I was close to my house so I drove home, pulled into the driveway and ran into the garage. I grabbed a gas can and told my husband what had happened and that I felt I needed to help them. He said, "We can't be late for our first class!" I said, "I'll be back in ten minutes and we'll just have to eat dinner after the class." He wasn't too happy but said, "Please HURRY!" I pulled into the gas station and started to pump the gas when a lady who was getting gas next to me said, "Is everything okay?" I said, "Yeah, there is just a couple down the road that ran out of gas so I'm going to take it to them." She said, "That's awesome...I don't usually do things like that because people are always looking for a handout, but I did one time and it felt pretty good." I told her, "I always try to picture myself in that situation and feeling desperate and would hope that someone would help me or my children." She said, "That's a good idea...I'll need to remember that next time I see someone in need." I just smiled and told her to have a wonderful weekend. I felt sure that she would probably have an opportunity to put her words into action over the weekend. I finished pumping the gas and ran into the store to take out $20.00 to give to them, knowing that they would need to get more gas than just the two gallons and they obviously didn't have any money. We only had $60.00 to last us the whole weekend and I knew that taking some of our money would leave us really tight, but it was the right thing to do, they had even less than we did. I jumped in my car and drove back to the spot that they were stranded. The smile and relief on their face told me that they were wondering if I was really going to return. I handed the gas can to the man and he said. "Thank you so much!" He started to put the gas into his tank as the woman walked up to me and I reached into my pocket and gave her the $20.00. Her eyes welled up with tears and she said, "I'm really sweaty, and dirty but would you mind if I gave you a hug?" I said, "Of course not!" As she hugged me she said, "God Bless You!" At that moment I felt like I should tell her what a stranger had told me a couple of weeks before when I was having a really bad day and feeling very down and stressed. So, with tears in my eyes, I said, "Just remember that the Lord loves you." I then got into my car and headed home to attend my first class on "FINDING MY LIFE PURPOSE." I wanted to share this story with everyone to remind you that there is someone waiting for you to reach out to them every single day. You only have to open your eyes to see the opportunity to be the change in someone's life. Finding your life purpose can be as simple as looking beyond your own personal needs and desires and reaching out to others who NEED YOU!
Permalink Comments (0) A Mother's Day Poem - Through A Mother's EyesPosted Friday, May 09, 2008 (60 days 10 hours ago.) Viewed 64 times. We often ask, why me dear Lord? Who am I to receive such a reward? The child you've given is a blessing from above Sent down from heaven to be showered with love I am weak, sometimes scared, to make a mistake I press on with the task...you chose for me to partake Who am I to receive such a reward? To raise a child of my own accord Each step I take I hope is the right direction As my child follows behind with pure innocent affection I am a mother, who will offer her lifelong love and protection Who am I to receive such a reward? I am a mother...trusted with a life to mold Until their gifts begin to unfold Then I will take a step back and behold My child has become the person I helped to shape Who am I to receive such a reward? I am a mother who was given a gift so rare...a life to raise, guide and share I am a mother........
Permalink Comments (0) Play Vocabulary Game - Feed The HungryPosted Wednesday, April 09, 2008 (90 days 16 hours ago.) Viewed 51 times. What if you found a way to play a fun vocabulary game with your children and with each correct answer you were able to feed a hungry person? I know many of you will wonder, "What is the catch and how much will it cost me?" My answer to you is, "ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, it's FREE and it's REAL?!" I always write about trying to make a difference in the world. Each day we should make an effort to help someone, offer a kind word, help an elderly person in the grocery store, smile at someone who is having a bad day or give a small bag of food to a homeless person. Well today at work one of my bosses came back from lunch and told all of us to go onto this great website www.freerice.com he said it is amazing and he just found out about it from his 12 year old son. I couldn't believe that something this fun, educational and easy even existed. To think that while my family is learning and increasing their vocabulary knowledge, we would also be making a difference in the world by feeding a hungry person. Here's how it works: They post a word at the top, you click on a word below (4 choices) that best defines the word. If you get the word correct you get 20 grains of rice in your bowl (which is conveniently placed on the right side of the screen), if you miss the word, you will then be given an easier word. You will later be given the word you missed so you now can pick the correct answer and improve your memory. There are 55 levels but most people rarely make it to level 48. You get to watch your grains of rice rapidly increase with each click of the mouse. As the grains of rice in your bowl fill up, so does your knowledge. A high level of vocabulary has great benefits, you will read faster with greater comprehension, get better grades, write better papers and/or letters, score higher on tests (SAT, GMAT, LSAT, ACT) and improve your job performance. The rice is then donated for the United Nation World Food Program to distribute, which is the world's largest food aid agency. They work with over 1,000 other agencies in 75 different countries. The United Nations estimates that to end world hunger and diseases it will cost approximately $195 billion a year. There are 22 countries who have joined by contributing 0.7%, less than 1% of the national income. You can play the game and check to see how your country is doing compared to others. You may be wondering who is paying for this rice? The advertisers at the bottom of the vocabulary screen pay a fee to advertise and www.freerice.com uses ALL of the money to purchase the rice...they run the site at NO PROFIT. THERE IS A WARNING: THIS WEBSITE IS ADDICTING AND WILL INCREASE YOUR INTELLIGENCE... PLAY WITH CARE. www.freerice.com Don't forget to share this with your friends and family (with your new larger vocabulary you will want those around you to be able to understand you!)
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