Helping Heal Hearts at the DMC - by Kristy

This is defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh's first season with the Detroit Lions and he definitely isn't shy about getting around town and making his presence known in the community. Besides being a fan favorite on the field, he's quickly becoming a role model off the field as well. He's made countless appearances for charities, autograph signings, and has attended other Detroit sporting events, such as Pistons and Red Wings games in the short time he has been in Detroit so far.

Just last week he paid a visit to the Detroit Medical Center downtown. He had a tour of the rehabilitation center and the children's hospital. He was also able to interact with a few patients and help lift their spirits. He plans on coming back as much as possible in the future.

This 6'4" 307 pound man surely has the heart of a lion, no pun intended. ;)

Click here for the DMC blog's full story with pictures.

Be apart of the Thanksgiving parade - by Monica

Read the original article by Oakland Press writer Gina Joseph on the Oakland Press' website or visit after5detroit.com.

When I was little, I used to dream of taking part in America's Thanksgiving Parade. I drew a picture of my own design -- a "Little Mermaid" float -- and also auditioned to be one of the kids who announced the floats on Channel 4, unfortunately not getting picked.

Now Big Head Corps, the company which obviously creates the big head masks you see at the parade, is inviting people to become part of their team and feel more a part of the Thanksgiving parade like many of us dreamed of as little kids.

Big Head Corps is an organization that offers young professionals the chance to get involved with America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and offer fun programs and networking opportunities. Former Grosse Pointe native Jim Dailey is the co-founder of this group.

To become an official member of Big Head Corps costs $200, and their benefits include breakfast on parade morning, shuttle service to the parade, being able to actively participate in the parade, two VIP grandstand seats, two VIP pancake breakfast tickets, four passes to the annual Parade Company Preview Party and Big Head Corps apparel. What I think is most exciting is the chance to ACTUALLY WALK IN THE PARADE YOURSELF. To me, that is worth the $200 in itself.


If you do want to be apart of this Michigan tradition, hurry up because open enrollment ends tomorrow. For more information on how to become a Big Head Corps member or The Parade Company volunteer, visit www.theparade.org or call 313-923-7400.

Now, if only they could make me a "Little Mermaid" mask...

Caring in Children - by Kristy

Today browsing inspiration stories on Values.Com, I came across one that I really liked and I wanted to share.

Title: My Son's Spirit
We often do not realize how monumental the briefest moments in our children's lives truly are and how much they reveal about their true character. I am sharing this story in honor of my 7 year old son who is so often my guiding light. I received the following email message from the mother of a child at my son's elementary school. "Today, when my son and I went to pick up my daughter at school, my son was upset about something (probably the change in routine). He was crying and screaming. Your son came over, sat next to us, and tried to console him. It was one of the most wonderful things I was able to witness. My son is autistic so we always worry about how he will be treated by his peers. Your son made my day. My daughter also shared the story of how your son helped her by being her crutch when she hurt her knee. Thanks for raising such a great kid!" As a mother, I can only pray that these moments of caring continue to accumulate and make him a compassionate man throughout his life.


Story submitted by: Donna

See more great stories just like this one on Values.com under the "your stories" tab.

Team Coco - by Kristy

Nine months after comedian Conan O’Brien left NBC, he will be back on television tonight on TBS. In January, Conan was paid millions of dollars from NBC to give up his time slot to Jay Leno, an act that stirred a lot of controversy. Many Conan fans were distraught at his leave from late night television. However, anticipation began to build in April when TBS announced they were going to pick him up. This story shows that with enough determination, you can always come back on top.

One guilt-free hour - by Monica

In the middle of the night this Sunday at 2 a.m. is Day Light Savings Time! So, before you go to bed on Saturday night, set your clocks back one hour. This one is my favorite Day Light Savings Time -- when we gain an hour instead of losing one. But make sure you change your time, or your whole schedule will be off, and you'll wonder why you're going an hour early to everything you do.

So, I advise for you not to spend this extra hour working or doing housework. Think of this as your one guilt-free hour. We live in a world where we are constantly in rush, and feel bad for doing nothing. If you are one of these people, let this hour be your hour to do whatever the heck you want to. Here are some of my ideas of what you can do with your extra hour:
-Sleep (my personal favorite)
-Watch television
-Read a book
-Go to the bar with your girlfriends or with the guys (after-all, the bars will be open one hour later on Saturday night...just make sure you drink responsibly and find a DD!)
-Eat some of that leftover Halloween candy
-Call a friend, especially one that you haven't kept in touch with in a while because you "haven't had time." You can't use that excuse on Day Light Savings Time.
-...or write a letter to someone you care about
-Take a long, hot shower
-Dance around your bed room to music
-Or write your own song
-Bake a cake
-Give yourself a manicure and pedicure

No matter what you do -- just RELAX!

Post with any other ideas you have of what to do with that extra hour.

Compliments - by Monica

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you really feel down about yourself? When you feel like all you hear are the negative things, and it, in turn, you feel like there is nothing you can do right?

Why does it feel like people take so much time pointing out the bad things instead of focusing on the good?

Yesterday I was seen on television (or at least my voice) for the first time in my life. The Oakland Press was covering the election, and we were on the local channel CMNTV. And, well, everything that could go wrong did. My results didn't come in until after deadline, my webcam wasn't working, my reception on my phone was static-y and the whole show was running behind.

But then, when I went in to work today, one of the reporters, Karen Workman, told me she was proud of me.

And that's all it took to make my day.

All week I was scared that I wouldn't be good enough and that I would screw up. And in different areas of my life, I just felt like I was looked down upon.

Yet just one compliment made me feel like I am good enough.

Why does it feel like it's easier, sometimes, to criticize rather than to compliment.

I challenge everyone to compliment today instead of criticize. It will make a world of a difference.

I found this article on the Port Clinton News Herald and reporter Catherine Hadley said,

The compliments that have meant the most to me are those that showed the giver actually noticed me, sometimes in ways in which I had not seen.

The compliments themselves were wonderful to hear. The fact that the givers were paying attention to me on several deep levels was not only equally flattering, but also surprising to me...

A perceptive compliment can change someone's life. I believe it is the most effective way to nurture a loved one's strengths. That, in turn, could give that person the power to overcome his or her weaknesses.

Vote - by Kristy

Just a reminder for everyone to get out and vote tomorrow! Check out this story for some information.