Kindness in Another's Trouble

LIFE IS MOSTLY FROTH AND BUBBLE,
TWO THINGS STAND LIKE STONE,
KINDNESS IN ANOTHER'S TROUBLE,
COURAGE IN YOUR OWN.

~ Adam Lindsay Gordon

Of Note: Marc Gold is a philanthropist in a genre all by himself. Four months of the year he raises money to give away the other eight. He does not have a fancy office or raise millions to feed the poor. His model is quite different: raise a small amount of money every year and give it away in small portions to people he meets on the streets as he travels the globe. Gold's only possessions are a couple of duffel bags and boxes, which he keeps in his modest Bangkok office-hotel room. A former San Francisco teacher, at age 61 he lives off retirement savings and a modest pension. His mantra is simply this: "You give it to me, I give it to them." Examples of his largess included the repair of a rickshaw, which collapsed as he was riding in it. The driver broke down in tears explaining that this was his livelihood and home. $40 later, the vehicle was repaired, and Gold's only requested that the driver use the rickshaw once a month to carry someone in need. Another time he bought $1 worth of medication that saved a child's life, who lived in a Tibetan home where he had been invited for tea. Since he began this journey, this altruist has touched the lives of 50,000 with small amounts of money but in big ways. 4,000 people now contribute each year to his efforts. Others have caught the bug and are following in Gold's footsteps. One acolyte wisely said: "It changes you inside when you have a chance to give." And that's the point, isn't it?

Today's Weather Report: Snow was falling this morning ever so lightly, and it accumulated in spots. At 32 degrees Fahrenheit right now, it will most likely melt pronto. Although I have to say, if we are going to have a sunless day, it might as well be snowing. A snow day is quite relaxing to watch as the whirling flakes descend in random patterns. Mesmerizing, really.