One of the things that I love about social media and Facebook is the opportunity to connect with friends that I have lost touch with over the years.  I am constantly amazed about the things that they are doing.  Over the past year, I have been following my high school friend, Charity Beck, as she and her friend, Jen Hellman, launched a new magazine and website called Positive Impact Magazine

I just received the inaugural issue this past week.  It is a sharp publication that highlights charitable activity both domestically and internationally.  I hope that it catches on.  You can take a look at their first issue on their website at http://www.positiveimpactmagazine.com.  

Charity and Jen describe their venture as a desire to impact the world through inspiration and a positive message.

“It is our mission and vision to reach out through Positive Impact Magazine to inspire, encourage and foster the creative ideas that will result in a long-lasting positive impact on the world.

Online and in future printed issues you will find stories about, artists, athletes, authors, celebrities, children, teens, musicians, and heroes; information about micro community efforts and international initiatives; and reviews of books, music, events, sports, charity, business and more, all that cross gender, geography, culture, and generation.

A pretty lofty goal, isn’t it? We know. But we’re going to try, and we are going to have an effect, because we believe that the smallest action, done with positive intent, is life-altering, even if just for the person taking that action. A single raindrop creates a ripple causing an effect, no matter its size, and no matter the size of the body of water it impacts.”

Yes, Charity it is a lofty goal but one that is needed in a world that often dwells too much on negativity and tragedy.  This venture reminds me of the quote–

“The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible. —-Anonymous”

I have had a few of what I call small world experiences while on my journey over the past two months.  I mentioned in previous blogs how I bumped into a friend from the dorms at MSU in Antigua, Guatemala and how I sat next to a couple that I had tailgated with at the airport bar in Miami.

The most recent one happened in the small town of Ushuaia, Argentina.  Ushuaia is known as the end of the world as it is the port city for trips to Antarctica.  We were walking down the street and I looked over and saw a friend and colleague, Mary Kramer.  Mary is the publisher of Crain’s Detroit Business News. She had served on the Michigan Nonprofit Association board when I first started working for the organization.  We also worked on a joint partnership with the website- www.michigannonprofit.com.

Mary had just finished her trip to Antarctica on the same boat that I was about to board for my half marathon.

Here is to another small world experience!