Today, let's throw out some random, but useful, items...

On being able to turn a negative into a positive:
"There's no question that losing your job can be a jolting experience, as anyone who has had the misfortune of being laid off in recent years can attest. But what if that jolt could be a positive experience?
That's the suggestion to come out of recent research which looked into the experiences of laid-off mid-to senior-level managers in the United States and Australia.
The participants' overwhelming response was that the experience of losing their jobs in the previous 12 months had given them a renewed interest in living according to their values. The "crisis" of redundancy was in fact an opportunity to get to better know themselves, and reassess their priorities to lead more fulfilled, happier lives.
"All of the respondents, which surprised us, talked about the positives associated with this jolt of job loss," said study co-author Amy Kenworthy, a professor of management at Australia's Bond University.
"These people took that jolt and focused on the positives of it to recalibrate themselves in terms of 'Who am I and what do I want from life?' It was counter-intuitive with what we thought was going to take place."

Nearly every day, I would bet you that someone with Moebius Syndrome does that very thing.  Keep up the good work!

Then there's how to be a good risk-taker:
"Before any kind of endeavor, whether it's a new job or a financial investment, come up with some golden rules. Tell yourself what you are unwilling to tolerate or what will cause you to stop the activity. Adhering to strict safety standards has kept me alive in some very dangerous situations.
Whatever the issue -- maybe I've gotten an iffy feeling or just felt that a member of the crew was rubbing me the wrong way -- I don't hesitate to stop. Knowing that I can back out is what gets me in the water in the first place.
Only an expert risk taker can swim toward a particular goal and arrive within a hairsbreadth of the treasure, then turn around and go home.
Jill Heinerth is a cave diver and an underwater photographer and filmmaker. She is the author of "The Essentials of Cave Diving" ($50, amazon.com) and co-wrote, produced, and appeared in the PBS documentary series "Water's Journey." She lives in High Springs, Florida."

And--hat tip here to FB friend Sandy Goodwick for finding this--for all you Moebius moms and dads out there with a child with special needs, here are some ways to help your child deal with bullying:

"Recognize what is going on. Don’t fool yourself. If your child is different, he is going to be the butt of taunts, jokes, looks and eye-rolls. The rules of the jungle called the playground or the school hallways make them a mark for bullies. Kids are trying to find their spot in the social world. Those who are insecure often figure out that if they can’t be on the top of the heap, they can at least not be the one on the bottom if they make someone else do the job.

Build an adult support system. Make sure other adults in your child’s life aren’t in denial about the challenges your child faces every day. Meet regularly with teachers to talk about how to provide an unobtrusive safety net. Make sure there are at least a couple of adults in school who your child can go to for support. The school nurse, guidance counselor, or vice-principal often fulfills this role. Make sure they have the time to develop a relationship with your child and have the training to listen to a child’s hurts without judgment.
The more a peer group knows and understands a classmate, the more likely there will be someone who will stand up for her. Look for activities where she can be a successful member of the group. Music or art classes can provide new avenues for self-expression and can help other children be more comfortable around a child with a difference. A kid who can’t be successful on a team can help staff the snack bar at the game. Participation in such activities as Scout troops and church youth groups can be another avenue for integrating your child into the peer group, provided the adult leaders are supportive."

There's a lot more--read the whole thing.

“Giving is a universal opportunity. Regardless of your age, profession, religion, income bracket, and background, you have the capacity to create change.”---Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen -Philanthropist