Thursday, November 20, 2008
Redefining Home
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Living my own Dream
Word Count: 154
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Engaging v. Confusing
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Family Ties
When I reminisce about my childhood what I remember most is fighting with my older brother. We were at odds since before I was even born. He was jealous of all the attention I was getting in my family as the new baby girl. We were always arguing or brawling in some way, usually about the most trivial things. I never played the right way or built the forts we would make with our other siblings correctly. By the time we were teenagers we had absolutely no relationship and continued to not get along.
When I was sixteen, he was twenty one and managing at a restaurant and reluctantly got me a job. Although I wanted the job, I was not looking forward at all to spending any more time than I had to with him. But an amazing thing happened: the more time we spent together, not so much in our brother and sister role, but as coworkers, we were able to relate more than ever. We bonded about all the things we did not like about the restaurant, coworker gossip, and finally about our family. A friendship with my big brother developed for the first time in my life. He lives in Louisiana now, but we have remained close, rarely fought, and have actually taken on the sibling relationship that we missed out on while clashing all of those years.
With my other siblings those relationships were not so strained. My sister and I are two years apart and, ever since we were roommates and played Barbies for hours on end, have been the best of friends. We could escape from the boys and just hang out with each other. My younger brother by four years has always been a source of laughter for me, lightening up any mood with a joke or just acting out of his lack of common sense. As we have aged and matured, our ages seem irrelevant as we relate to each other more and more, feeling as though we are all equals.
I will never take for granted the special relationship that only a sibling can provide. Through everything—successes, disappointments, breakups, friendship problems, the best of times, or the worst—family is what will hopefully always be there. Not everyone I know is lucky enough to be so close to their family, and I will forever cherish the tight knit bonds that I have with mine. I believe that the love and support that we constantly give to each other is incredibly important and valuable. No matter who comes in or out of my life, I will forever appreciate my brothers and sister who will always be there. They make me want to be a better person so that I can always be a positive role model and friend in their life. My siblings have helped mold me into the person that I am and will always be a guiding force in my life.
(493 words)
Monday, October 6, 2008
Generation Carefree
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Secondhand Brand
“A hand up, not a hand out” was the message that Reverend Edgar J. Helms proclaimed when he started the first Goodwill in 1902. At a time when brands were taking force, learning how best to get customers roped in, and make tremendous profit, Helms saw the needs that were not being adequately fulfilled. He started a brand that would defy the purposes of all the others, with his intent on increasing welfare rather than bank accounts. He not only aimed for inexpensive goods, but for work opportunities. The positive impact and growth of the company makes it still successful today, not only in America but around the globe.
Edgar Helms began this endeavor by collecting goods from the more affluent areas in Boston. He then turned to the poor areas where he trained and hired unemployed people to fix these goods. The donations were then either given to those workers, or resold for a very affordable price. This system is the foundation for how this company still runs today. Goodwill has continued to run on donations that are in good condition which are sold at such reasonable prices that most people can afford to shop there. They also provide a huge number of jobs that are dependable with a decent income. They employ many people that might not be hired at other places, such as special needs or older people.
Goodwill helps to alleviate many of today’s issues, such as the environment and globalization. Instead of disposing goods to continue to pack landfills, this company recycles these goods to get the maximum use of them. The impact of human waste on the environment has degraded a lot of our land and resources, and Goodwill is doing what it can to help prevent further harm. Also, with the impact of many other brands globalizing and effecting people across the world, Goodwill is making a positive impact on that front as well. Goodwill has put stores, and made connections with similar companies to give assistance to other communities across the world who are in need of inexpensive goods and reliable jobs.
Goodwill is a nonprofit brand that stands to only benefit others and provide for the less fortunate. It attempts to help with whatever social, economic, and environmental problem that is happening. A brand with such a positive message is something that I can relate to. While other brands are in the business for their own benefit, I am happy to support a brand that does so much good for others.