Giving: How Each Of Us Can Change The World by Bill Clinton

Dear Friends,

It has been several weeks now since I saw former President William Jefferson Clinton at a book signing and I promised to post a review of the current book, GIVING: How Each Of Us Can Save The World. Now that the Thanksgiving Holiday is so close, this is a perfect time to follow-up on the review.

I think the book is very well written and I am sure it will be used like a classroom textbook for those seeking to explore the world of philanthropy, altruistic services, and creative non-profits. What I loved about Giving is the written examples of a multitude of people, adults, teens, children of all ages developing these extraordinary ideas for saving the Universe including planet earth, animals, people, art, beauty, history, - literally whatever needs saving, healing, supporting, developing, or encouraging - someone out there somewhere has come up with a plan to do so and Bill Clinton found a way to document this amazing phenomenon.

The book is divided into several categories of giving from money, time, energy, gifts, ideas and services. The book also includes a long list in every chapter of resources with names, addresses, and contact information with the idea that the reader will also want to get involved and will do so by being inspired by the examples and the book.

One of my favorite examples is the story of the famous tennis player, Andre Agassi. Mr. Agassi founded and funds the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy which is a public chartered school with an amazing record for changing the lives of at risk students. This school is an example for how we can change the world by how we treat and educate our children.

There are hundreds of heroic stories and Mr. Clinton has had some form of connection with nearly all of them. The book is written in a way that you immediately get the picture of "Bill" all over the world everywhere doing "good deeds" with the rich, the powerful, the well intended and all of course with the blessings of Hillary Clinton.

Still, I really think this is a book worth buying, reading, and giving as a gift. For more information and to buy the book go to http://www.ClintonFoundation.org/giving. You can even tell your own story of how you see giving as a tool for changing the world around you. This is a good thing!To read about my experience attending a signing for the book and meeting Mr. Clinton, you can find the post on this blog titled Giving The Clinton Way, September 19, 2007.

FIRES OVER: RECOVERY STILL A LONG AND PAINFULL PROCESS

It has been several days now since the winds and fires finally came to their tumultuous end. I did not go out for six days while the fires raged and the winds blew. The air for everyone in the Los Angeles area filled the skies with the pollution of ash, toxins and particulates blowing in all directions and for at least three days, I could not see the sun. The clouds of smoke hung like a fog bank in skies normally California blue and clear. I kept praying for safety, protection and support to put the fires out and let people go back to their homes.

I have lots of thoughts about how the responses to the tragic blazes could have been different - I always want to believe somehow this could have been prevented. But nature has a way of reminding me just how human we are - one hundred mile an hour winds, ninety degree heat, endless acres of dry brush, water starved trees, a child with matches, crazy arson people, antiquated fire fighting equipment, a lack of an inclusive plan for regional disasters, not enough fire fighters for so many fires at one time - the "perfect fire storm" - the "imperfect human nature".

Now the recovery, for some, for many, this is life changing, day by day, a struggle to just survive: a painful process. This morning the air heats up again. The Santa Ana winds are returning. We need the rain. We need answers. I need to believe what happened just days ago, will never, never happen again. But deep down, I know differently. I live in a paradise where the price of pleasure is always a possibility of earthquakes, fire storms, mud slides, a flood,a tsunami. I ask for clairity, balance and protection as I sit here at my desk in the beautiful sun, looking at gorgeous, once-again clear blue skies, lush green trees, and the flowers, which know no season, still blooming.

Thank you to everyone, friends and family, who offered us a place to stay if needed, to those who called with their concerns and prayers, you will never know how much this show of caring helped me to cope with so many days of intensity and uncertainty.

If you have been touched by the fires and just want someone to talk to, please call me at 1-626-796-8605 or email ambersilverstar11@yahoo.com. I will listen and send you positive thoughts and love that your needs are taken care of and your life can have a new and safe future.