50 States Of Pray: Don't Look Back - Pay It Forward

Aloha,

My sincere thanks to everyone who helped promote and/or participates in 50 States of Pray today.

I'm representing the great state of Hawaii and wish everyone reading this a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Courtesy: thefw.com

They say to give peace a chance, but I'm just one guy - and that seems like a lot to ask in this crazy world of ours.

But, imagine our planet, this pint-sized world that could, and how it would change - for the better - if we shared a little more love and respect with family, friends and community.

 

 

Here’s my sincere wish for anyone needing a spiritual boost this Christmas: Don’t look back – it won’t change the past.

Courtesy: MotivationalTwist.com

 

 

 

   Instead, pay it forward.

 

 

 

Some will say I’m naïve, but I truly believe in the power of giving.

It doesn’t take a lot, we all know that. All that's needed is an open heart and a willingness to share of our time, talents and/or treasures.

Courtesy: thefw.com

 

Share a positive moment with someone.

 

 

 

Help comfort a crying baby on a busy airplane, buy a Sailor a sandwich or simply hold open a heavy door.

These random acts of kindness happened recently to our family, and I’ll always appreciate the generosity of those strangers who expected no reward.

There was, however, a return of investment :)

 



Courtesy: Melissa Maygrove

50 States of Pray was my idea – but you’ve  embraced the concept. Who knows the lives that may be touched by today's posts as they ripple out like a stone dropped in a calm lake.

 

Why not pray for a friend? Forgive a wrong-doing?

Thank a teacher, cop, firefighter or anyone who does the work you could never do.

 Give a compliment - or a seat.

The list is endless, and I believe each “share” will leave a piece of you behind.
 

Courtesy: Sharelifeny.org

Robert Louis Stephenson once wrote: Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.

So, perhaps… after all... all we need do is take a chance and give a piece...

 

Courtesy: pif1day.com

 

 

Thanks again, and may God bless you all. 

 

 

 

Met my First Blogger Buddy & Finished Last Marathon

Aloha,

Some fun news to share: I finally met one of my/our Blogger Buddies.

...whispers: You're real. You're really real :)

In February, I posted about a free writer's conference (called W.R.I.T.E) that I planned to host during the first week of December.

Although the event was eventually cancelled, (it's hard to get over here - I understand!) I had the pleasure to meet Nancy LaRonda Johnson, and her sister who travelled to O'ahu for a vacation this past week.

I met the sisters at the airport and we hung out for a little bit before I drove them downtown to their hotel.


Nancy and some bald dude with a cool T-shirt

The sisters apparently had a great time while on the island and the picture above is of Nancy and I throwing some shakas down near Waikiki Beach.

Thanks for the memories, Nancy, and for the signed copy of your latest book, SALTED WITH FIRE. I really appreciate it :)

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Speaking of memories, I did - BOSTON STRONG, baby - complete my tenth and (perhaps) final marathon last weekend, too.

Thank goodness it wasn't my first - as my race number (2571) and associated time chip - did *not* register, so there is no official record of me in the system !!!

There is, however, photographic evidence, but as I am way too cheap to spend $70 on a half-dozen pictures, the link is here.

(If the link doesn't send you direct, type "Koopmans"; "2571" and "Honolulu" as needed.)

(If you want a real laugh - and see my best impression of a Walking Dead extra - enlarge Photo 146561714 (first picture on the third row.)

That one still cracks me up :)

PS: My time is somewhere between 6:05:00 and 6:11:00, so I'm going with my "official" time of 6:08:00 :)

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Finally, I'm so looking forward to 50 States of Pray.

I can't believe Christmas Eve is only four days from now, so have a great weekend everyone - don't forget those last minute gifts and "see" you Tuesday :)

Here's a Bing Crosby version of a Christmas classic - and no, it's not that song!

Mele Kalikimaka, and aloha :)

 

 

Bob Hope - Christmas With the Troops...

Aloha,

50 States of Pray is up to 41 42 States (total), and there's eight days left to find the final nine eight U.S. and/or foreign States.

The Linky List is here - and many, many thanks for all your support.

Speaking of support, if you know anyone who served in the U.S. military during the era of Bob Hope, here's a YouTube video I think they would love to see.

This 10-minute video clip is a wonderful tribute to the men and women who served, and it shows - especially in the last minute, which highlights a wonderful, inspiring rendition of Silent Night.

It also highlights some of Bob's greatest USO-sponsored Christmas shows, and if you ain't never seen a Bob Hope Christmas Special, you've missed out... until now :)

Merry Christmas, everyone :)

50 States of Pray: 34 U.S. & 9 Foreign States signed on!

Aloha,

Hope everyone has recovered from the fun that was CheersFest, and don’t forget to tune in to Tossing It Out this coming Monday to see who Lee picks as his two winners. (I just hope that Elise is making a Brown Jacket that Mini Alex can wear :)

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Speaking of next week, the 50 States of Pray event is only eleven (shopping) days away, so here’s an update – as of Christmas Eve, 2013.

·         We have a total of seventy-six participants !!!

·         Thirty-four U.S. States are already represented

The “missing” eighteen seventeen sixteen States are:

·         Alabama

·         Arkansas

·         Idaho

·         Iowa

·         Kentucky

·         Maryland

·         Mississippi

·         Nebraska

·         New Mexico

·         North Dakota

·         Ohio

·         Oregon

·         Rhode Island

·         South Dakota

·         Tennessee

·         Vermont

·         Washington

·         Wyoming

 

So far, eight nine Foreign States are represented

·         Australia

·         Belgium

·         Canada

·         France

·         India

·         Jamaica

·         Mexico

·         Republic of South Africa

·         United Kingdom

 The U.S. States most represented, as of Friday morning, are California and Florida (both have four reps.)

The Foreign State most represented, as of Thursday, is the United Kingdom (four reps.)

 If you know anyone who’s interested in repping for one of the elusive sixteen, or to increase the nine overseas, please send them my way – or send them to the Linky list here!

(I'll continue to update this post as new states come in.)

Sincere thanks to everyone concerned for all your help in promoting and sharing information related to 50 States of Pray. This has been such a positive experience and I’m really looking forward to reading your posts.

 

See you on Christmas Eve :)

 

Santa & Mrs. Claus at the Honolulu City Lights
 

50 States of Pray - Linky List is open :)

Aloha,
About two months ago, I had a random thought.
Normally, these get me into trouble, but this one sounded like a great idea:
Why not set aside a moment to reflect on the year that was and share some hopes for the next year?

I’m calling it the 50 States of Pray event and I’d love to find at least one person (but the more the merrier) from each U.S. state to participate.

But wait... as they say on TV... This is absolutely open to anyone, anywhere. Imagine if we got one person from 50 independent states (countries), too. That would be amazing!

All that’s required is to take a moment and about 100 words. Then, on Dec. 24, 2013, please share a prayer, a thought, a memory, a hope and even a regret about the past and/or a wish for the future.

If you can’t post on the day... it’s Christmas Eve, Mark... (I know, I know :) feel free to schedule your post to go live on the 24^th.
I'm *NOT* expecting people to comment - my only hope is that people can stop by to read, relax and reflect for as much time as they can spare :)

Simple rules:

A.    When clicking the Linky List "You are next... Click here to enter" button, you'll first be asked for the link title (your name) or blog title. Please add a hyphen and the two-letter state abbreviation AFTER your name/blog, so I can track which state you'll be “representing.”
(e.g. Mark Koopmans – HI)

A1.     If you’re representing a foreign state or country, please add the 2- or 3-letter Country Code, so I can track which country you’ll be representing (e.g. Harold Pottear – ENG)

(As a courtesy, I've added the names and states/countries of those who've previously responded - but if I've misspelt a name or added the wrong state, just let me know!)

B. I appreciate everyone’s help so far, and would so love some more extra help promoting 50 States of Pray.

        B1. On Twitter, please promote the event by tweeting this post and/or using #50StatesOfPray hashtag.

        B2. Any help with sharing this post via Facebook would also be much appreciated.

The response from the Blogging Community (and beyond) has been wonderful and I’m looking forward to reading and sharing with you all.

In closing, here’s my simple goal behind 50 States of Pray:

Is there not a better time to help make the world a better place than Christmastime?

Deep down in my heart, I truly believe someone, somewhere will absolutely benefit from your words.

Merry Christmas, thanks for helping spread the word, and I hope to read you soon :)

And that’s it.
The Linky List below is now officially open!

50 States of Pray event update - thanks to all :)

Aloha,

It's been three weeks since I announced the 50 States of Pray event and I wanted to share an update.

I've had a ton of positive interest, several (cleared) misunderstandings and no negative feedback.

With less than two weeks to go before the Linky List opens, there are already twenty people pledged to represent their state and one person representing a foreign state.

Full details about the 50 States of Pray event are here, but the basic goal is that I'd love to find at least one person (but the more the merrier) from each U.S. state to participate.

But wait! (as they say on TV:) This is absolutely open to anyone, anywhere. Imagine if we got one person from 50 independent states (countries), too. That would be amazing!

If interested, please join the Linky List Monday, Dec. 2, 2013 and then on Christmas Eve, take a moment, (and in about 100 words), share a prayer, a thought, a memory, a hope, a regret about the past and/or a wish for the future.

Posts can obviously be scheduled ahead of time (at least on Blogger) and I'm not expecting people to comment on a lot of blogs - it's Christmas Eve! - but I believe these posts will have the ability to bring some comfort and/or peace to the right reader at the right time.

Thanks for all those who've pledged their support and I would ask that folks continue to help me spread the word through Blog mentions, Button grabs, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc.

Hopes. Dreams. Heart.

Hosting a "50 States of Pray" Event on Christmas Eve

Aloha,

New Year's Eve, 2012 seems like such a long time ago and it's scary to think that in a couple of months, another year will be over.

Sunset at Barbers Point, HI - Dec. 31, 2012

As always, a lot has happened. I'm sure 2013 will turn out to be a long year for some, and a fun ride for others, but as we sit here, less than eight weeks from Christmas, I thought why not set aside a moment to reflect on the year that was and share some hopes for the next year?

I'm calling this the 50 States of Pray event, and I'd love to find at least one person (but the more the merrier) from each U.S. state to participate.

But wait! (as they say on TV:) This is absolutely open to anyone, anywhere. Imagine if we got one person from 50 independent states (countries), too. That would be amazing!)

Today is just a "Save The Date" notice, but here's the simple goal behind 50 States of Pray:

On Dec. 24, 2013, take a moment, (and in about 100 words), share a prayer, a thought, a memory, a hope, a regret about the past and/or a wish for the future.


I will make the official announcement and open the Linky List Monday, Dec. 2, 2013.

Banner Courtesy Melissa Maygrove :)

I have four three things I need help with - if you're so led.

A. If you plan to participate, please let me know via comments below - and tell me which state you'll be "representing." (This way, I can load the map ahead of Dec. 2 :)

B. I need help promoting 50 States of Pray.

On Twitter, please help me promote the event by tweeting this post and/or using the #50StatesOfPray hashtag.

Any help with sharing this post via Facebook would also be much appreciated.

C. If anyone can come up with a 50 States of Pray button that would be awesome :)
THANK YOU, Melissa Maygrove - really appreciate your time and help making the banner :)

D. If anyone can help spread the word via an announcement Dec. 2 on their blog, please let me know.


Any questions, shoot me a comment or an email.


Cheers, and aloha :)