Pepsi Everyday Freedom Heroes

I think it's terrific that Mary Shuttleworth, the founder and president of Youth for Human Rights International, was named as a Pepsi Everyday Freedom Hero this year.

What Pepsi says about this award is:

"A Freedom Hero is an individual or group that takes action to protect or extend freedom. The action is often as simple as speaking up, working as a catalyst for change or encouraging others to learn, grow and contribute. Freedom Heroes come from all walks of life and may affect any form of freedom including race, gender, religion, speech, press, educational, social and/or economic issues. We honor the individual whose innovation, involvement and intervention redirects fate."

Mary recently completed the third annual Youth for Human Rights World Tour, where she visited 30 cities and released human rights public service anouncement - one in each city - covering all 3o articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

These ads, which are really short films and works of art - were directed by Mary's son, Taron Lexton, who was the director of the award-winning United human rights music DVD.

Here's what they say about Mary on the web site:

Mary Shuttleworth grew up in the Apartheid days of South Africa. She grew up with a passion for human rights and a desire to share the passion with young people. Mary moved to the United States where she became a school principal and children's advocate. She launched Youth for Human Rights International as an education program for children so they would understand and embrace the importance of human rights and religious tolerance. Mary shared this passion with her son, Taron.

The Wrong Heroes

I think we tend to idiolize the wrong people in this, our "enlightened" 21st Century.

If our favorite magazines and TV shows are an accurate measure of who we revere, I think we've missed the boat.

His Holiness The Dalai Lama

"Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free."

His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Unsung Heroes

There are many heroes.

Anyone who goes out of his or her way to help others is a hero, in my books.

Nelson Mandela

"No one is born hating another person because of the color of their skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."

Nelson Mandela

Teachers

Teachers are really unsung heroes.

They are the worst paid of any professionals of their level of skill.

We entrust them with the very lives and success of our children.

And many teachers are real humanitarians, who make all the difference in the lives of the children they care for.

My dad was a teacher, and wherever we went, anywhere in the world, this is the kind of thing that would happen. Walking down the street, or filing out of a concert, or standing in line for a sports event, some stranger would walk up to us and say "You probably don't recognize me, but you were my teacher in 1948 and it was because of you I decided to...." and from there he or she would tell us how he/she had become a doctor, lawyer, a success in sports, artist or, yes, a teacher like him.

Great Story

I heard the coolest story the other day.

A friend of a friend, years ago, was driving down the Freeway in LA when he saw a very good looking well dressed Black woman who was pulled off on the side of the road, obviously in need of help.

He drove his car off onto the shoulder and ran back to where her car was parked, and found out she had a flat and didn't know how to change the tire (this was before cell phones so she couldn't just call for help).

He changed her flat and was about to take off when she insisted on knowing how to contact him -- she wanted to show her appreciation.

He told her he didn't need any acknowledgement -- he was just happy to have been able to help.

A few days later a big-screen color TV was delivered to his home. He couldn't figure out what this was about and told the delivery person that this was obviously the wrong address - he hadn't ordered a TV. But the man pulled out a letter and handed it to him.

It was the woman whom he had helped.

She thanked him again for being willing to stop and help her.

And the letter was signed "Mrs. Nat King Cole"!

And another ordinary hero

Oprah talks of "Random Acts of Kindness." This first time I ever heard her say this I thought - what a great concept.

I don't know if this originated with Oprah or someone else - I just heard it first on Oprah.

But there is something even MORE special than such a kindness. And that is an EFFECTIVE random act of kindness.

How many times have you wanted to help someone? (What a loaded question!).

Have you ever had a friend who needed someone to listen to, or some moral support, and you were there, even though it was inconvenient and might even have cost you something else you really wanted, to be there and help them?

But did it really help? Were they back down in the dumps again over the same thing a short time later?

That's where effective comes in.

If you'd like to add "effective" to the subject, check out the Scientology Handbook.

I bet you'll find something on that site that helps you REALLY help others.

Somtime there are ordinary heroes

Sometimes the most ordinary people can be heroes. Like these people. Members of the Scientology-sponsored "Say No to Drugs - Say Yes to Life" campaign, they work to save kids from the ravages of drug addiction.

And I would venture to guess that the parents of any kid so saved would look on their work as being heroic indeed.

I found this story at the Scientology Press Office. I must say I like the changes in that web site!

Nazanin Afshin-Jam, Former Miss World Canada 2003, Struggles To Save Iranian Compatriot From Execution

Nazanin Afshin-Jam, Former Miss World Canada 2003, was recently recognized as a "Human Rights Hero" for her work to save the life of an 18 year old Iranian girl.

It is a very moving story which you can read here >>

The Church of Scientology International co-sponsored the event which was the 2006 Youth for Human Rights International Summit, held at the United Nations.

Scientology Volunteers

I think the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, in the work they do in their communities and in times of disaster, are heroes in their own right. They certainly make other people's lives worth living!

IAS Freedom Medal Winners

The International Association of Scientologists presents a Human Rights Freedom Award to three outstanding people (or groups of people) each year. The event is held live in the UK toward the end of October and is televised the following week in Scientology churches around the world.

I had to put in this story from South Africa - A hero from a different view:

"Shark attack survivor Achmat Hassiem will be facing his demons on Sunday morning when he returns to the scene of the attack after being discharged from hospital on Saturday. The lifeguard lost his right foot last Sunday when he was attacked by a shark, believed to be a Great White, during a lifesaving exercise at Sunrise Beach in Muizenberg. He was given a hero's welcome by family and friends when he arrived at his Strandfontein home after spending five days in hospital. Walking into the house on crutches, Hassiem was all smiles and in high spirits as he embraced family and friends.

"Cracking jokes with his friends, he quipped to one of them: "Don't you have any takkies? I only need one."His grandmother, Sulayla Lackay, was among the first to greet him. She came from Durban when she heard the news.'I'm fine, Mama, I'm alive. It could have been much worse,' he told her.He proudly displayed the shark tooth extracted from his leg. 'He wanted to take part of me, so I took some of him," he joked holding up the segment of tooth.But he hasn't let his popularity go to his head and shies away from the term hero and said: 'I'm not a hero, just a lifeguard doing his job.' His father, Moegseen said he was glad to have his boy back at home. 'I called him last night and told him just one more night in hospital and then you can come home.' His father said Achmat's character was so strong that he wouldn't let this bring him down. "He is really warm and has an amazing personality. Even when they had him on the beach and were going to take him onto the helicopter he joked with the paramedics: 'Can I have a window seat?' That's the type of person he is.' Sitting in his room, Hassiem said he was looking forward to sleeping in his own bed again. He said the possibility of a shark attack was one of the things that lifeguards and surfers always joked and talked about. 'I just went and did it, though.' His brother, Taariq, said they had, in fact, been cracking jokes about sharks attacking them less than two minutes before the incident actually happened. Hassiem said he couldn't even describe the emotions he was feeling at that time. 'You are in the presence of the raw power of nature itself and it was something you can't explain. I am just glad to have gotten away with my life.' He is very excited about getting back into the water but in the same breath said it would probably be the scariest thing he will ever have to do. 'Arriving at the beach that almost took my life is quite hectic.' ..."

Real Heroes in Java

I am so impressed with the Scientology Volunteer Ministers who went to Java to help after the earthquake.

The most impressive part is they are still there!

That's almost 3 months. And we're not talking luxurious living conditions. They are living in huts and eating the local food, and working day in/day out.

Here's just one example of the kind of work they are doing:

Scientology Volunteer Ministers helping to teach kindergarden children simple Scientology assists to help them in their lives.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers in Indonesia are assisting in many ways and many places.

The International Volunteer Assist Team in Java has been training younger children on basic techniques of how to assist themselves and others. Showing them how to do very simple Assist techniques to relieve upset, panic, and anxiety even when brought on by the natural catastrophes which have occurred in their vicinity.

It's a very unfortunate fact of life that these islands have more than their share of catastrophes. To give these kids something they can use whenever disaster hits will serve them the rest of their lives.

Youth for Human Rights Hero Awards

The final Hero Awards presentation for Youth for Human Rights International is being held at the United Nations, August 24-25th.

Modern Day Heroes

Its funny when you think about heroes in the old days. Famous heroes were usually war heros, be they in a World War or fighting the Indians in America.

Today it doesn't seem that our heroes are as colorful or dramatic, but somehow I think over time, the early heroes had some help. Books, movies, TVs have made some of these people larger than life. Jessie James - a criminal is one such example.

Anyway, its an interesting look. Maybe in 100 years, the modern day heroes will have taken on a whole new look too.

Heroes in Great Britain

I'd say the men and women in England who uncovered and stopped the plot to blow up international airlines yesterday are heroes. How many lives do you think they saved?

Be a Hero

I was just thinking - what really makes a hero? I realized it doesn't really require doing something super-human, that's what it takes to be a "super-hero."

I looked the work up.

In the 1828 Websters it is defined as "A man of distinguished valor, intrepidity or enterprise in danger; as a hero in arms."

In the 1913 Websters it is:"A man of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering; a prominent or central personage in any remarkable action or event; hence, a great or illustrious person."

Merriam-Webster defines it today as "a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities; one that shows great courage."

These are qualities we admire. But how about being qualities we take on ourselves?

There's a Scientology course called the Personal Values and Integrity Course that anyone can study. Any Scientology church or mission has this course. You can even visit a Scientology Volunteer Ministers tent and get a copy of the booklet that's the text for the course, or read it online at the Scientology Handbook web site.

If you feel you could do with some polishing up of your person hero qualities, that's a great place to start.

Human Rights

I recently saw the public service announcements produced by the Church of Scientology International and Youth for Human Rights International.

These are an incredible weapon against intolerance and abuse.

What is incredible about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is how universal it really is. If these rights were actually enforced for every person on earth we would have no war or crime.

This fits so well with the Aims of Scientology (A civilization without insanity,without criminals and without war,where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights,and where man is free to rise to greater heights) that it's quite natural for people who embrace Scientology to also embrace human rights.

A few weeks ago, aboard the Freewinds motor vessel, David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center (RTC) described the church's human rights campaign as an essential program in bringing about world peace.

Three of the PSAs can be viewed online at the Youth for Human Rights International web site or downloaded from I Tunes, and the remaining of the 30 PSAs will also be available online soon.

Pass the work on these PSAs to anyone you know. I really believe that the Internet is the most potent human rights weapon on earth and by using it to get these PSAs out we could create peace.

New York Fire Fighters

Fire fighters are unique breed. They put their lives on the line every day. Any fire they respond to could contain a level of personal danger that threatens their lives or health.

Of course everyone wanted to be a fireman when I was a kid - ride in that big red truck with the horn or siren, wear the cool fireman's hat -- everybody has to get out of your way when you drive down the street.

But really, what would prompt someone to take on such responsibility?

I was so moved at the grand opening of the Church of Scientology of New York when
Stephan Hittman Chief Executive Officer, 9/11 Foundation and Honorary Commissioner of the New York Fire Department honored the Church for the work of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers at Ground Zero.

Here is what Mr. Hittman said:

"In recognition of the humanitarian efforts of the Volunteer Ministers of the Church of Scientology, and the help they provided to members of the Fire Department of the City of New York, in keeping with the principles developed by L. Ron Hubbard; and

"WHEREAS: FDNY and the 911 PROGRAM recognize this unwavering commitment to firefighters, to paramedics, to other rescue workers, in keeping with our proudest traditions; and be it known,

"THEREFORE: That FDNY and the 911 PROGRAM officially recognize this dedicated service to the citizens of the City of New York, and hereby bestow upon L. Ron Hubbard and the Volunteer Ministers of the Church of Scientology, the FDNY and the 911 PROGRAM's Medal of Valor and 9–11 Service Award — on the occasion of the Grand Opening of the New York Church of Scientology."

Following as it did on the speech David Miscavige gave, where he also acknowledged our work, I couldn't have been prouder of being a Volunteer Minister.

I also think the work Tom Cruise has done to make the detox program available to fire fighters and other rescue workers is such a humanitarian act. These people are still suffering from the toxic poisoning they experienced following the fall of Twin Towers -- some are incapacitated, many are having to live their lives as virtual cripples. It is so wonderful that L. Ron Hubbard's research on toxicity and how to rid the body of toxins is being made available to these brave heroes.