making a difference!
Shot@Life’s Blogust Campaign Saves 10,000 Children From Preventable Diseases
making a difference! • moms making a difference
We did it! We just saved 10,000 lives. How? Who? Let me share...
Over the past 30 days, I participated in the United Nation Foundation's Shot@Life's Blogust:
The great news? Yesterday, we hit our 10,000th comment. Thanks to all the thousands of people who showed their support through commenting. That's 10,000 children saved. Saving that many children's lives is something to be amazingly grateful for.
Gratitude: The Key to a Happy, Joyful Life
And on that note... Let's talk about gratitude for a second.
Throughout this campaign, I've been pondering a lot about gratitude. I find it very appropriate that we hit the 10,000 comment mark yesterday, just in time for me to share my thoughts.
Raise your hand if you want to lead a happy and joyful life?
These children do. They live in a slum in the heart of Nairobi and are the minority... children receiving an education. Look at their smiles. Aren't they beautiful? Their gratitude and joy was almost tangible.
Brene Brown shares that the secret to joy is gratitude. Could it be that simple? I didn't think so. I mean, people endure so much suffering. Life really isn't fair in so many situations. How could gratitude really be the answer? Here's what Brene says...
We can spend our entire lives in scarcity . . . just waiting for for the other shoe to drop and wondering when it will all fall apart. Or, we can lean into the uncertainty and be thankful for what we have in that precious moment. When I'm standing at the crossroads of fear and gratitude, I've learned that I must choose vulnerability and practice gratitude if I want to know joy.
How to Have Joy in the Midst of Pain and Suffering
Last summer, I went to Africa. Kenya to be precise. One of the places where many children never make it to their 5th birthday due to preventable diseases.
While there, I discovered a lot of pain and suffering. Children on the brink of death. Families facing hunger. Communities living in crowded quarters without bare necessities. I thought I had seen a lot of that in my previous travels. But what I experienced there was different... more dire, more desperate, and more hopeful. Yes! You read that right. More hopeful.
I scratched my head at the joy I saw and wondered how, in the most dire of circumstances, the Kenyan people could exude emotions like peace, forgiveness, happiness, and joy when they were facing hunger, ups and downs in terms of civil unrest, insufficient medical care and education. Oh! And I forgot to mention... death.
And that's when I discovered it was Brene's quote in action: Gratitude! Evidence of it was everywhere—in the light of the children's eyes and oozing out of every move and from every sound in the welcome dances and songs. I didn't get the sense that the Kenyan people didn't realize they were hungry or were simply pushing their dire circumstances under the rug so to speak. They were just able to recognize all that was beautiful in the midst of all that was painful. And because of that, they were beautiful, amazing, happy, and hopeful.
3 Keys to Leading a Grateful Life
What I learned from the Kenyan people about gratitude was:
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Find joy in the details. Happiness doesn't depend on life being perfect. In fact, things can be downright difficult, almost unbearable. I'm not encouraging anyone to skip the grieving process as it plays such a vital role in moving through life's toughest times. But whenever possible, really look to find joy in the smallest of details. They are there... in Africa, in the US... and in the corners of your home where you work through your darkest days and take joy in your brightest hours.
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Stop for a moment. Look around. I'll wait. What detail in your life are you most grateful for in this moment?
X - Have a gratitude practice. Regardless of where you live, time is a precious commodity. Our lives are busy. Make time for gratitude, which can be shown in many ways: through prayer, writing a gratitude journal, reflecting on your blessings, and sharing with others what you're grateful for.
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What can you do today to practice gratitude?
X - Give back. Serving others helps you focus on another's needs and can cause you, even if for a small moment, to forget your own troubles. The very act of lightening another's load can lift your spirits. As evidenced by the Shot@Life campaign this month, you do not need to go further than your own front door to make a HUGE difference. What started with a single blog post and a single comment just gave 10,000 children a shot at life. Talk about gratitude!
X
Now, think of someone who has done something kind for you recently? Who was it? What did they do? Have you thanked him or her? How can you give back to someone in need?
Let's wrap up this campaign this week with even more comments. Here's one question you could answer... gratitude practice in action:
What are you grateful for?
Help us keep the power of Blogust going by visiting shotatlife.org today.
Love it. Let’s save as many lives as we can.
It has been a pleasure being a part of this event. Thank you for your reminder today to be thankful/grateful for all we have.
So happy to leave a comment and keep the good work going strong!
I want to be included next time something like this takes place! Thanks!
My aunt has been going through rough times since my uncle passed away and I have been helping her get her life back together. Recently I received a card in the mail from her with wonderful praise and thanks. It really touched me. I am grateful for her unconditional love and that of my family’s as well. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you are words I grew up with. I believe in those words.
I am grateful for my wonderful family and my sweet and loyal dog. I am truly blessed!
This is such a wonderful cause to be involved in!
So grateful to Jyl and Mom it Forward to bringing attention to this campaign and the efforts to give children everywhere a shot at life.p
I’m grateful for my children, and this opportunity to help another child have a shot at life thru this campaign!
I am so grateful for my family’s health. Thank you for spreading awareness and helping to prevent diseases.
I am grateful for my new family. I married a man with grown children and with grandchildren. We now have a new baby girl grandchild. I got to babysit last weekend and it was such s joy!
This is amazing! Thanks for the inspiration!
Our family has not had health insurance for 3 months due to my husbands job change. The stress that it has brought us was crazy, but our situation is STILL nothing like these children. I know if we NEEDED medical attention, we could have received it. This really puts into perspective how blessed we are to have so many things that not only enrich our lives, but save them. So, today, I am thankful for my healthy children and the doctors who care after them, and my insurance that is starting in 3 days!
Love you Jyl and all you do, you are such a great example to me!
-Cousin Wende
Wow, what an inspiring post! I am also a Shot@Life Champion who has been working tirelessly with the program before its launch. I have a passion for travel, advocacy and global volunteerism and have seen first hand the experiences of others living in impoverished nations. It was a life changing event for me and if everyone of us took the time to give back, no matter how small, the world would truly be a better place! Thanks for sharing and I look forward to following your blog! thirdeyemom
This is such a great thing! Thank you for sharing!
I am grateful for helpful and willing hands when you realize you can’t do everything yourself. Also as conceited as this may be, I am grateful that I have the compassion to give and care. There are some people that just don’t care about the miseries of others. I think I would feel bad for not feeling bad! Perfect focus Jyl!
Yes!!!!! Thanks for your help with this. xoxo
You are so welcome, Beth! I needed the reminder too
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We love having you drop by, Coryanne. Thanks for your sweet comment! xoxo
We are hoping to do some more fun and meaningful things this fall. Wait for more information… coming soon. Thanks for your interest and today’s comment!
Love this post. Sounds like your aunt is getting through her tough time with your help. So nice of you. And wonderful of her to practice gratitude by sharing how grateful she is for you.
Thanks so much for sharing this comment.
xoxo
Ahhhh! Love that, Annette. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! xoxo
Thanks, Ellen! It has been a great campaign. I appreciate your part in it through this comment. xoxo
Thank YOU for supporting this campaign, Danica. I love that our friendship has its roots in social good. We need much more time together. xoxo
Children are the greatest blessing, aren’t they? Thanks so much for stopping by and making a difference through your comment, Emily.
I was just thinking the same thing. We haven’t always enjoyed amazing health, but the past few years have been good to us health wise and we are also grateful for that.
Thanks for your sweet comment! xoxo
Ahhhh! My grandma was my favorite person in the universe. I bet your grandkids heart you!
Thanks so much for commenting and for supporting this cause! xoxo
Thank YOU, Stephanie! xoxo
Thanks for leaving a comment and supporting this campaign. It’s awesome to see my family in this thread of comments.
I am so glad you’ll be getting insurance soon. I know how those types of things can be stressful. I’m glad your kids have enjoyed health in the time you’ve had to wait to get it. I’m sending good vibes your way that everyone can continue to be healthy until the policy is in place.
Love you! And YOU are the example
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I can’t wait to get to know you better, Nicole! It sounds like we have a lot of the same interests and passions. Keep in touch and let’s partner on some upcoming social media for social good projects.
Thanks so much for leaving a comment!
xoxo
You are welcome! Thank YOU for stopping by and commenting. xoxo
You are amazing, Cambria! I LOVE having you be part of Mom It Forward. Your giving spirit blesses the lives of so many. xoxo
I am grateful for the loving family I have. I look around at my daughters and am so happy to be here with them living this life. My husband is supportive and loving, he’s my best friend. I am grateful for this life.
So true, Kristin! Family really is one of our greatest blessings. Love that! Thanks for your comment.
Great cause. Thanks!
Such a wonderful campaign! I am so grateful for modern medicine (like vaccinations) because two of my children would have died during their newborn months from rare conditions if they didn’t have the testing and medicine they needed. Such a blessing to live at this modern time and near medical facilities.
What inspiring blog! I am grateful for living in a country where people united her efforts and work together to support and help their fellowman. I am a former nurse that was born and raised in a developing country and I saw poverty and many children sick because lack of vaccines. I am grateful for all of you and your voices to help the ones who can’t speak from themselves. I am grateful to the United Nations Foundation for their shot@life campaign.
These children are beautiful, and so happy, in spite of their challenging circumstances. A great lesson for us all!
This is a wonderful thing to be a part of!
This is such a great campaign. The idea that one comment can save a life – I marvel at this blessing!
seriously amazing.
I am thankful for parents who get their children immunized to be honest. We just had a case of pertussis at our elementary school and nothing bothers me more than to know that it could have been prevented if their parents would have just gotten them immunized instead now hundreds of other children in our schools are at risk for getting it. So many children have no access to these types of life-saving measures and then we have parents who don’t utilize them. It annoys me
An outstanding post, Jyl
I am grateful for this community… for the difference we are able to make… And I am grateful for what you shared. Daily life wraps us up in the daily tasks and it’s easy to lose sight of how very much there is to be grateful for… and today I am especially grateful for my children… they are healthy and happy… and they are my heart’s delight 
I’m so glad you’re partnering with this organization! I’m so thankful for the little things in life and when i can give back to others, it makes my life so full and joyful. As a mom I’m entirely aware of how important immunizations are.
Jyl you were one of the first bloggers I met and still to this day, one of the realest people I know. God Bless you! I am grateful to know you.
I am grateful for my immunized children!!! Great program, great story! Thank you for sharing.
I hope I’m not late – I love this organization and what they’re doing for immunizations! Let’s save lives!
I hope I’m not too late. I love what this organization is doing for these children! Please count my vote!
You’re so cute, Camille! You can never be too late. I appreciate you stopping by! xoxo