January 22, 2010: Wait Until You See This!

I keep coming across more amazing news related to Haiti.  You'll definitely want to check out these stories which will make your heart sing:

First off, if you think you have nothing to give then you'll want to be inspired by this amazing story out of Philadelphia.  Homeless men gathering a local shelter have set out to gather donations for the Haitian people.  They're going door to door picking up supplies from local businesses.  Talk about showing the world What's Possible! You have to see this one.

From the celebrity world, none other than American Idol's Simon Cowell is stepping up.  Britain's prime minister has personally asked Sir Cranky to make an album with England's top pop stars.  See how fast Simon says he can have that record produced.

Ever wonder what it would be like to get a second chance at life?  Check out this story of this American man who was buried under the rubble for days.  Even his wife back here in the States had given up hope.  Check out their new happy beginning.

And finally, if you ever wondered about the generosity of people around the world, check out this update on the amount of money that has been raised for Haiti.  We're talking big time records, folks!

January 20, 2010: More Good Stuff From Haiti

As promised, I'm keeping my eye out for heart-warming stories rising from the rubble in Haiti.

As the story goes on it shows what I already knew--that people have big hearts and open them up during times of crisis.

Want to sleep better tonight?  Catch this full-circle moment:  I told you yesterday how CNN's Gary Tuchman reported on orphans being allowed to leave the country without getting hung up in red tape.  Now you get to see something special.  Those same kids meeting their American families in Florida.  Watch here.

And don't miss the Minnesota couple who has decided to donate a big chunk of their wedding budget to Haitian relief.  Here's a couple who has their priorities straight.

And I heard from my friend, CNN's Jason Carroll in Haiti.  He had the awesome experience of helping to find a missing man's father.

I'll keep the encouraging news coming.

If you see a story you think I should feature, please shoot me a note on Facebook or Twitter.

Thanks!

January 18, 2010: Miracles Are Happening

I told you here in this blog at the start of this month that I'm focusing this year on looking for and at miracles.  I believe you see what you seek.  And they are happening.  Even in Haiti.  Don't get me wrong, I know the devastation of this impoverished country is on a scale that most of us can't fathom.  But even in that wreckage, there are wonderful things happening. 

I've been keeping an eye out in the traditional media coverage for stories that report progress and hope.  It might be easy to overlook them, so here are some you might want to check out:

My friend, distant cousin and CNN correspondent Gary Tuchman has a wonderful update on a group of orphans that are getting to skip red tape and head to their adoptive families here in the United States right away.

MSNBC.com is running a similar story about a young man making his way to his forever family in the Midwest.

The Washington Post has two articles worth your time.  The "On Faith" column features news that, "The religious differences that sometimes separated Haitians have come crashing down." 

Also, The Post has a very interesting article that shares an idea that is almost un-PC to mention.  That out of this rubble might actually come Haiti's greatest chance ever. The possibility that "a corrupt and now devastated country might be transformed into a self-sustaining nation."

I know the idea of corruption has some folks frustrated about where their dollars might actually make a difference.  Here are some updates on programs that I've either featured here on DarynKagan.com or friends of mine are personally vouching for:

I've told you about former Playboy Centerfold Susie Krabacher who has been doing amazing work in Haiti for years building orphanages and medical facilities. Her husband, Joe, sent me an email last night reporting that Susie and her team have arrived in Haiti. They have found the orphanages in a shambles.  The staff that usually is taking care of the children and babies has all but disappeared.  As they assess greatest needs, Joe says monetary donations will help most, as it would be practically impossible to ship donated supplies in at this time.  They say 100% of cash donations go straight to helping the children.  You can keep up more with what they are doing at HaitiChildren.com.

Are you feeling like you want to DO something, not just send money?  My friend Patti Tufty Olt tells me about a group called Bright Hope that is sending in med packs.  This can be a great project for churches, Sunday school classes, scout groups and homeschoolers.  You can find out more at their website.

Finally, on this Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, my friend, Gil Tyree brings my attention to the Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Foundation. Gil writes, "This cause is near and dear to me. The late Rev/Dr. Sullivan  was a noted civil rights leader.  To help, all you have to do is text the word 'Summit' to 90999.  $5 will go to helping the people."  Sullivan was dedicated to training folks to work and encouraging economic self-empowerment.  I would imagine his foundation would support similar efforts in Haiti.

So, a lot to digest today.  I'll keep the encouraging news and donation opportunities coming as they come to me.

January 13, 2010: Because You Want To Help

Because I know DarynKagan.com visitors are the kind of folks who don't just want to sit around and watch the devastating news coming out of Haiti, I'm gathering some resources for you.

There are ways you can help without leaving your computer.

Here are some good organizations that will make your dollars count.

You first met Susie Krabacher here on the website back in 2007.  She's the former Playboy Centerfold model who has dedicated her life to saving orphans in Haiti.  I've reached out to her people to see the latest on her facilities and kids there.  I'll pass it along as it comes in.  Meanwhile, you can support Susie's kids here.

CARE.org is already mobilizing to bring in help.

There's also UNICEF and Doctors Without Borders.  DWB writes on their Twitter feed, "Haiti teams are trying to ensure safety & continued care of patients admitted to Trinite hospital. Pregnant women, new mothers, and newborn children evacuated from obstetrics facility due to structural damage. Additional staff will be deployed to #Haiti to reinforce and assess emerging needs from the earthquake in coming days."

CNN and CBS are also compiling lists of organizations that are on the ground helping in Haiti.

These are just some early places you can focus on, I'll pass along more as they come in.

January 13, 2010: Fessing Up.  I'm Biased

So much for the sham idea that journalists aren't biased.  We all come to each day and each story with a certain set of values and beliefs.  It's what makes us what and who we are.  Nothing to be ashamed of.  Nothing to deny either. 

One value bias I show up with each day is heat.

Yes, heat, hot, warm, whatever you want to call it--I like it!  More than five years living in Phoenix, the summers were never too long for me.  My biggest complaint about Atlanta--the summers don't last long enough.  Heat is like a big hug.  Cold hurts.  Snow is pretty, but something that I should visit, not live in.  Atlanta is the coldest place I've ever lived.  Snuggie, space heaters, electric blankets, scalding showers, hot soup, tea, cocoa--I'm a huge fan of them all. I probably have a few of my favorite things on my mind to borrow from Julie Andrews because it's been pretty darn cold here in Atlanta for a couple weeks now.

Sure we usually get a little snowfall or ice storm each year.  But we get to laugh it off because it's back to reasonable temps within days.  Not this year.  It's as if Batman villain Mr. Freeze is holding the city hostage. I don't think it's been above freezing for two weeks.

Go ahead.  I hear you Yankees and Canadians snickering at this thin-blooded Magnolia.  I'll take it. Along with any extra blankets you might want to send this way.  I don't pretend to be anything other than I am, a heat seeker. The teapot is on the stove.  The Super Spicy Chili Mac recipe should heat up the roof of my mouth if nothing else.

As for my heart?  Well, here are two stories that did a fine job of warming that up this week.
Not to be missed is Steve Hartman's piece on a woman who believes she's boring.  Oh my! What a miscalculation!

And for you sports fans and non-sports fans alike, here is the kind of writing that can make you weep.  Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples writes a love letter and dispatch to his late mother as he covers her beloved Alabama Crimson Tide in this year's National Championship game.  Whether or not you know or care anything about college football, this piece will shoot the warmest sunshine into the coldest shivering heart.

Andy knows all about bias.  He was raised on it.  Bias for the Crimson Tide.  He shows it's a good thing.  It's good to know your values and where you come from.  From the sound of Andy's description of his mom, he comes from a fine place indeed.

January 11, 2010: New Year, New Look!

The team and I have been working on this months.  The updated, fresh look for DarynKagan.com!

What better time to have the big reveal than this new year and new decade?

The essence stays the same--this is still your one-stop destination for inspiring news.  Now, you'll simply find more content and more stories on the home page and each of our other pages, as well.  So pull up a computer and hang out awhile.

As you click around, you'll find a few more new features.  You can now read my Twitter feed right here on the website.  Please click here to follow me.

And I've posted a new video greeting you and explaining how I made the transition from CNN to creating my own company focused on inspiring news.

You might also notice there is more advertising on the site.  At a time when many websites are considering charging you for to view content, those wonderful sponsors are making it possible for me to bring you inspiring news free of charge.  I don't know about you, but it makes me look at ads in an all new light.

So click around, get a feel and let me know what you think. We're talking about it on our social online community.

January  7, 2010: The Power Of Kindness Rocks Me

It happened again this morning.

I see a story, it goes straight to my heart, and makes me cry.

They are happy tears because this story shows me yet again that out of bad can come good. Out of a situation someone would've never picked to have happened to them, can come a gift greater than they can imagine.

79-year-old Elsie Clark can tell you that. She was simply trying to get home to Winnipeg, Canada from a Christmas visit to her daughter in Texas. You've had this kind of nightmare travel before--the kind where everything goes wrong. It was that much more intense for this grandma looking at spending the night in Chicago's O'Hare airport.

That is, until a man in shiny shoes stepped in.

Chicagoan Dean Germeyer wasn't having any of that. What could've been one of the worst nights of Clark's life turned out to be one grand adventure in the Windy City.

All because one man decided to do one nice thing.

You can see and hear their story here.

I love this story because it shows the essence of the kind of stories I love to tell and how I live my life.

It's not that bad things don't happen. Of course, they do.

Airline workers shouldn't mess up and leave a 79-year-old woman stranded in a cold big city airport. But that bad thing set up one man to commit an act of kindness. Hearts in two countries are now melting at the thought of what's possible. How one person can make a difference. How out of the bad can come something so good.

I hope you enjoy the story.

I won't mind if it makes you tear up like it did me.

And I smile wondering what other acts of kindness it will inspire in you.

January 4, 2010: Happy New Year!

I did it!

I actually remember to write 2010, instead of 2009!  Although, I have to say I'm not decided if I'm calling this year, "Two thousand ten" or "Twenty Ten."  Logic says "20-10."  But "2,000-10" sounds better to me. 

I just want to share that I'm pumped for this new year.  We're looking at some exciting new projects.  And we're finally ready to launch the first ever re-design of DarynKagan.com.  Not to worry.  Same great website.  Just means we'll be able to bring you more inspiring stories all at once.  Look for the big reveal next Monday.

The theme for my year is miracles.  I believe I will see a lot of them this year.  Since I believe we tend to see what we seek and focus on, it stands to be 12 pretty exciting months.  The fun and the mystery?  I don't know the form the miracles are going to take.  As my friend, Lee Schnebly, of Tucson, AZ has long said, "Sure will be interesting to see how this all turns out!" 

Admittedly, when I first heard that, it drove me nuts?  Just sit back and see what life has in store?  Not try to control everything to turn out the way --I-- think it should?  That's not interesting, that's infuriating!

Ah, the gift of time.  Time to see that when I let go, life tends to have a bigger plan for me than I could ever dream for myself.  So bring it on!

I hope you'll check in here often.  I'll share the miracles with you as they unfold.  Remember--we post many new inspiring stories every single day.  There's room for you to post your own inspiring stories, discussions, photos, and videos in our social online community.

You can follow me on Twitter and Facebook.