Tithing Tuesday, 042313: ISF: The Ian Somerhalder Foundation

Welcome back to Tithing Tuesday! =)

How's your week going?

Today's post is about a foundation that I support, and would like to shine some love on, and get the word out a little bit more on: ISF: the Ian Somerhalder Foundation.

If you love your Mother (Earth), are inclined to earnestly live a green lifestyle (or are trying to implement one), and/or have a soft spot for animals of all shapes and sizes, then you want to know more about ISF! =)

The foundation was started by the incredibly compassionate and conscientious actor Ian Somerhalder, and was a project he launched on his 32nd birthday, stating "Instead of gifts this year, my birthday wish is that we come together and raise funds to support projects that protect our habitat and nurture our furry friends."
 

And ISF was born! =)

The foundation's mission "aims to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures."  The site has campaigns of information and ways to get involved targeted at every age level, and is especially interested in making the youth of the world more aware of issues impacting environment (in every sense) and showing them the power they have to help make the world a better place for everyone. =)

ISF works to help people look from all sides at the challenges we and our planet face today.  They bring campaigns to light in areas of habitat, energy, and animals~ hitting home the concept that we are all connected and live on this planet together, and that in order to continue doing so, we all need to get involved and approach the topic from a 'whole picture' standpoint because all of the issues and challenges we face are interconnected, just as we are. 

One of ISF's latest campaigns is a unique one.  Ian and his team want to build an Animal Sanctuary.  No, that's not particularly unique for projects that strive to protect animals, but ISF has a bit of an interesting and wonderful twist on the concept.  The ISF Animal Sanctuary would take the healing of the animals it rescues one step further: partnering rehabilitated animals with children challenged with behavioral issues.  The idea is to address and positively impact the devastating affect of bullying on today's youth by encouraging healthy relationships, and teach kids who may not understand the concept, what one involves and why it's so important.

In Ian's own words, he describes the problem(s) and the solution:

“I’m so tired of the lack of compassion in our world and watching kids grow up in it.  If we can give animals a home, we can also take kids who have behavioral issues… bullying other kids, and bring them together to learn compassion from one another.  If you have compassion for an animal, then you’ll ultimately have compassion for another human being.”

If you would like to see the ISF Animal Sanctuary come to life~ or find out how you can make a difference in numerous other ways~ please check out the website! =) http://www.isfoundation.com.

Until next time...

May your imagination light your way,
~xo~ StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]

Tithing Tuesday, 040913: #EndItMovement

Modern-Day Slavery Is Rampant

27 Million Men, Women, and Children are Affected Everyday

Today's Tithing Tuesday post is about an issue that many people believe was taken care of long ago, kid themselves about or turn a blind eye to, pretending it's not really a problem anymore~ or not their problem, at least. =/ 

The EndItMovement.

Yes. Slavery still exists.  But, in this day and age, do people generally understand what slavery even is?

Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property ~to be bought and sold~ and are forced to work, against their will, and in the worst of imaginable circumstances... Deprived of rights, dignity, and free will.  It is human trafficking, it is bonded labor and indentured servitude, it is forced labor in numerous industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, as well as prostitution and sexual exploitation.

Slavery has been around in many forms since the beginning of recorded time.  And it is time we grew enlightened enough as a species to END IT for good.

Here in the United States, slavery is generally thought about when reflecting back on the beginnings of our brand new nation, during the Civil War Era, and the efforts of President Abraham Lincoln and others in the Abolitionist Movement to abolish and outlaw slavery and slave trade in and with our country.  

In 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which declared that freedom from slavery is an internationally recognized human right, reading "No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms."

Even though slavery is now outlawed in all countries, there are more slaves around the world than at any other time in history.  27 Million men, women and children, in 161 countries worldwide~ INCLUDING The UNITED STATES~ trapped in less-than-human existences, in brothels, in factories, in fields, and in quarries around the world... All to make someone else more well off.  27 Million people.  That's basically the entire population of the New York City metropolitan area.  And that's obscene.  And it has to stop.

          

"As many as 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States annually. That’s nearly 48 people a day who have become slaves on the very same soil where it was abolished 150 years ago. And the average age of these people? 14 years old. Think about all the things you did when you were a teenager. Being sexually exploited probably isn’t one of them." [enditmovement.com] 

So how can you help?  How can anyone help??

It all begins with you, and me, and our friends, and their friends, and their friends.  Look, you know in your heart that slavery~ in any form or fashion~ is fundamentally WRONG.  And so do I.  Never underestimate the power of two or more people united together in a common vision...

"It doesn't cost you anything to get involved. You can fight for the release of those who cannot fight for themselves by taking up the cause and making people aware. You can give money, if you like, or energy or tirelessness. You can go fight through social media, through local or national government, or through the alarm bell of awareness. You can shine a light on slavery. You can END IT." [enditmovement.com]

Check out the #EndItMovement website... There is lots of information and resources to educate and arm yourself with.  There are tools and help on how you can spread the word and raise awareness.  You can donate there, if you're interested in doing that.  You can learn about the movement's coalition partners, all organizations working on attacking the problem from different angles, with real-world solutions- and how you can use your spending habits as a form of protest.  Also, you can visit the EndIt Shop and check out the merch that they have available, with all proceeds from the purchase of any product directly supporting the END IT Movement.

I pledged to Be In It to End It!  ...Will You Join Me??

Until next time... "X" : Shine A Light On Slavery

May your imagination light your way,
~xo~ StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower] 

Symphonic Saturday, 012613: What the Force?

Happy Saturday!! =)

Welcome back to Symphonic Saturday!

Okay, so, please excuse me while I geek out for a bit...

Whatever your stance on the Universe that is beyond the 'Stars'...  Whether you are a Trekkie, or you stand by The Force~ there is no denying that recent events have got several generations (especially mine, having grown up through the original Star Wars Trilogy) buzzing!

It is also undeniable that, as someone who leans to toward the Galactic Republic side of The Force (though admittedly, I have enjoyed a fair share of boldly Trekking through the Stars, too), I am barely digesting the news that my beloved Disney and the reverent Star Wars Universe have "joined Forces," let alone been able to wrap my head around the fact that the Paramount Studio's director of the last two Star Trek franchise movies is now taking over the Star Wars franchise!!  ...Rodney King would be so proud...Aaaah!!!.... [breath]...

In honor of all that craziness, I am devoting this Symphonic Saturday to some of the sassier sides of the Star Wars Universe...  Enjoy!  This is all GOOD STUFF!! ;oD

"Cello Wars", by The Piano Guys

Angry Birds Star Wars Cinematic Trailer

"Call Me Maybe," Star Wars Parody

The Fastest and Funniest LEGO Star Wars Story Ever Told

"The Star Wars I Used to Know"

And, just for some more giggles...

Dance Off with the Star Wars Stars, 2008

For the VW crowd ...

The Force: Volkswagen Commercial

And of course, you can't have one without the other...

The Dog Strikes Back

OH, okay, just ONE more... [heheheh]

WoOoW!... That's A LOT of Star Warsin' The Force!! ;oP 

OkAy, Geek-out moment over [for now]... ;)

Until next time...

May your imagination light your way,

And May The Force be with us All,

~xo~StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]

Red Friday, 012513: An Unresolved Issue

Welcome to our first "Red Friday" post! =)

 

Friday's here at Beholden To None are a day of tribute to our nation's military members serving, or have served, around the world, as well as keeping showing off my patriotic pride. =)

For this inaugural Red Friday post, I am going to highlight a post I did over on my other blog: TDB1D: Living The List. You can see it here.  It's worth reading about this challenging issue facing so many of our nation's defenders today.  

If you support our men and women in uniform, have a read, and let me know what you think. =) 

Thanks!!

Until next time...

May your imagination light your way,

~xo~Stacy Lynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]