I feel like George Bailey from the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life (apologies to Jimmy Stewart for the picture). I swear I’m one of the luckiest men on Earth now, for two reasons: one, because I’m still alive after a car accident and, two, because the kindness I have been shown after I put out a call for help has been overwhelming.
Right after my accident, I cried because I was just lucky to be alive and unhurt. But it wasn’t long before I cried because of the willingness of others to help.
More than a few people said that they were willing to donate to help me get back on my feet because I had been a big help to them over the years as they read my blog or my tweets. They felt good giving something back for the value they got out of their relationship with me. I knew I needed to raise a chunk of cash quickly, or my family would be in big trouble. The words of these donors had given me an idea: I could do something that would be valuable and worth a donation. I didn’t want to sell something like a product at a fixed price.
I wanted to be clear this was me trying to pay it forward by giving others a chance to pay it forward. I would present a live blogging webinar on Ustream. That webinar is tonight, by the way, at 8pm Eastern time. You don’t have to donate to see it, but you can if you want to. I very much felt this had to be about giving and giving back, not buying and selling.
The Power of the Social Web
Well, word got out about this over Twitter and people even blogged about it. The help that poured in was unbelievable. Some people gave over $100, some gave a couple of bucks. The dollar amount didn’t matter as much as the “heart value” because I knew those small donations were all that could be given. Times are tight for many, after all. That made the small donations even more meaningful and precious.
This is a clear demonstration of the power of the social web, and how to live with it in your life: bring value to others and help others with no expectation of getting anything in return. I had no idea the response to my request would be this great. I only hoped I could get enough help to get through this. So far, I am, but it’s still very close.
You Can Change the World
Margaret Mead said:
Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
But I say that it really all begins with one person. How does a group create change without one single person making a decision and taking action? And what is social media but a hyperconnected group?
Being Good to People Matters
I doubt very much that any of this would have happened if I had been a selfish jerk to people. But because I try help others and provide value, people who know me have enough room in their hearts to have helped when I really needed it. And yet… I absolutely have no right to feel that I deserve this or that I could have just expected it to happen this way. These notions are paradoxically both true, and I think there’s a lesson here for everyone about how to be in the world.
You Can Still Make a Difference
There is still time to either help me because you want to, or to get a really great how-to-blog webinar for a price of your own choosing, depending on how you want to look at it. If you want to learn more about the situation before today, learn more about the webinar, or see a picture of my crashed Jeep, check out: How I Totaled My Car and You Get a Blogging Webinar.
Link for the Webinar
The live show will be on Ustream.tv at 8pm Eastern: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/remarkablogger-live
Forgive the link, Michael, but I think people should also read this today.
One, because it’s about you and two, because it shows just what sort of power we can have if we help each other out.
http://menwithpens.ca/do-you-have-the-courage-to-ask-for-help
@James – You (and anyone else) can drop a link that’s relevant any time. I’d say this qualifies. Thank you for writing that. I’ve commented on it, as well. Good stuff, man.
The social power of the web is phenomenal. I only wish I could do ten times more. Best of luck, Michael. I’m glad you are loved.
That’s like my favorite movie.
So glad that you’ve been positively impacted by the whole experience, Michael.
Knock ‘em dead tonight.
Most of use think about Social Media is a great source for traffic first. Now I see that is a worst thought.
Your situation reminds the words Christ said: “Do unto others as you would others do unto you”
Thanks for your helps.
Great Thoughts. LOVE THE PICTURE!
@Writer Dad – Thanks, Sean. When people do what they can, the amount doesn’t matter.
@Easton – It’s one movie I can’t watch without crying every time. The “impact” could’ve been very different
. I’m so glad it wasn’t.
@Phao – Yes, traffic is a side effect of other things. Those words of Christ are demonstrated by people no matter the methods of communication (web, phone, face to face).
@Franklin – Thanks, man! The picture was fun.
Michael,
A couple of minutes after I wrote privately to you, I read this post and realized that you’d gotten the same feeling I did from the warm aftermath of your personal difficulty—that your friends hear the call and rush to fill that table you’re standing in front of.
Having or not having my contribution in my pocket won’t change my day much, but together with many others, it can change your day.
Social media makes it possible to recapture something, ironically, that we’ve almost lost in our “real” lives. It’s the digital age’s “human touch”… that community that Frank Capra caught on film.
In a zillion viewings of that film I’ve not often wondered what it was like to be on the other side of the table. I’ll be the housekeeper, if you don’t mind: “I was saving this for a divorce if ever I got a husband.”
It’s a good feeling to put it to better use than that.
Be well,
Kelly
Michael,
I just got a chance to catch the stream, an hour late. While I can see your lips move, I can’t hear a word you’re saying. It’s not your fault, or the fault of UStream … it’s that I have three 4th graders, a 7th grader, and a toddler in the room.
When everything’s finished, I assume you’re going to send out a remarkanote about where we can see the recorded version?
Michael,
Sorry I missed the Webinar.
Geez, what to say. Just so darn happy that you’re all right. You’ll have lots to be thankful for this holiday season.
And I’m so impressed you asked for help. As a leader, and someone who paves the way for others, so touching that you reached out…you reached out and asked for help, not knowing what assistance (if any) you would find. And then you saw how amazing people can be
And your story…man, you can write! My heart was beating just reading it. After such an event you had the power to write so well.
I’m just so darn inspired that you took that leap of faith, and asked for help. That takes lots of courage, and I applaud you for that.
I also applaud you for doing your Webinar. Talk about “life giving you lemons and making lemonade.” AND you did it to help those who helped you. Good karma.
And to James @ Men With Pens: awesome post you had about Michael and his story. Awesome. Well done, and well said.
Michael, Thank you for a fantastic webinar and 3 hours of sharing your thoughts, feelings and knowledge about blogging, SEO & Social Media. Who would have imagined that your car accident would result in more traffic?! It may have taken you off the road temporarily, but it brought people together tonight online. Thanks for hyperconnecting us on UStream and for being such a grateful soul!
[...] Remarkablogger’s post Social Media has the Power to Change Lives, and I Should Know, he shared his thoughts about the power of Social Media. This is a clear demonstration of the power [...]
Michael you could digg your post about donation on the most powerful social media like Digg, Mixx, and stumble upon and see what they have yo say, i’m sure you’ll have a lot of good response, if you didn’t then shame on those retard people >:(
[...] So I came up with the idea of holding a live internet seminar on how to blog. Anyone could attend for free, but a donation in any amount was appreciated. People amazed me with their responses. I went from being the luckiest man alive simply because I was alive to being the luckiest man in the world because my friends came through for me in such a strong way that it is nearly unbelievable. I had over a thousand dollars in sudden expenses that needed to be paid immediately, and my friends came through. [...]
I didnt become a reader of this blog until about 2 weeks ago so I wasnt here to help. I can give testimony to the power of helping others though. I live in Louisiana and as everyone should know my area was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. During that time people from all over the country poured into the area to donate their time and money to helping us rebuild. Until this disaster took place I was always skeptical of charities like Red Cross but after the impact they had on me I am forver greatful, like you most likely are Michael. I now try to donate to these types of charities when I can simply because I now understand just how big of an impact they can have on those in need.
@Chris – I appreciate the sentiment, nonetheless, and sorry you had to suffer through a hurricane. My little crisis is settled and passed.