Because my response to a tragedy, after the initial shock wears is off, is not to turn away, but to search for answers. Whether I can find an answer that satisfies me or not, I keep searching for a way to respond. That, too, is an answer. I cannot undo tragedies, but I can help prevent new ones. I can try to help bring peace to those who were affected. I can try to show that those who have suffered and who have died in suffering did not die in vain, that their lives and deaths have not gone unnoticed, but have gone on to have impact on many people, people like me.
Because to me, grief is more than just tears and hand-shaking. It is also rooted in desire to prevent more pain from happening, to change something somewhere for the better.
Because it's too easy to turn away and do nothing, to succumb to my own private pity party, to dwell only on my own misfortunes, and see nothing else. And because the easy way is not my way, for better or for worse.
Because I seek to fill every day, every hour, every minute, every second of my life with meaning.
Because life is short and my mission in it is to be the best person I can be, and do the most I can do.
Because I am the only person that stands in my way of me making an impact.
Because making an impact doesn't have to be something huge. It doesn't have to becoming a ruler of a country, a military leader, or discovering the cure for AIDS. It could be something that's within my own day-to-day capabilities. It can mean not standing by silent, and speaking out. It can mean awakening others to discover that there is more to life that their personal day to day troubles, of showing others how to reach out and help someone else.
Because sometimes having an impact just means listening to a friend who is hurt or asking a stranger who seems upset if everything is ok. Because living a better life is waking up each morning asking yourself "What can I do today to help someone else?"
Because just sitting and complaining and making cynical statements won't get anything done, won't change anything, won't solve any problems.
Because I have it in me.
Because I can, and I want, and most importantly, I have the WILL.
Because somehow, despite all the tragedies, and pain, and suffering in the world, we still have to wake up in the morning and go on.
Because life is beautiful, and challenging, and interesting, and rich, and multi-faceted, and sometimes difficult, and tempting, and trying, and incredible, and worth living.
And most importantly, because I PROMISED.
I promised to those who went too early. I promised to my grandparents, that I will continue carrying on their legacy of reaching out and helping others. I promised it to myself.
And so...
It is our pleasure to introduce you to:
The Samaritans of New York (www.samaritansnyc.org/abou
(For Quick Signup Click Here: http://www.samaritansnyc.o
...
A premier non profit organization that operates NYC’s ONLY 24-hour, Suicide-Prevention Hotline for 25+ years, and answered 69,000 calls last year. The Host Committee is working with them as they need help with money, publicity, events, sponsorship, in-kind donations. We invite you to Supporting Samaritans of New York City Supporting Others!
WHERE
La Pomme NYC
HOW: http://www.samaritansnyc.o
$25 minimum donation required to attend
$36 after February 17 – or $40 at the door.
Performance by City Haze & Beats Myth
Music by Demby, of J2M Events
Amazing Raffle Prizes!
Midnight Black diamond earrings -- courtesy of
Denis Mahgerefteh, CEO of UDE collection and celebrity jeweler
Pair of sexy Christian Louboutins
Louis Vuitton charm bracelet
AND FOR MY MALE FRIENDS , I have something for you too.
***100% of proceeds go to The Samaritans of NYC!!!
Here's what the organizer of the event, Anel Quintero has to say about this...
It is our pleasure to introduce you to:
The Samaritans of New York (www.samaritansnyc.org/abou
(For Quick Signup Click Here: http://www.samaritansnyc.o
...
A premier non profit organization that operates NYC’s ONLY 24-hour, Suicide-Prevention Hotline for 25+ years, and answered 69,000 calls last year. The Host Committee is working with them as they need help with money, publicity, events, sponsorship, in-kind donations. We invite you to Supporting Samaritans of New York City Supporting Others!
WHERE
La Pomme NYC
HOW: http://www.samaritansnyc.o
$25 minimum donation required to attend
$36 after February 17 – or $40 at the door.
Performance by City Haze & Beats Myth
Music by Demby, of J2M Events
Amazing Raffle Prizes!
Midnight Black diamond earrings -- courtesy of
Denis Mahgerefteh, CEO of UDE collection and celebrity jeweler
Pair of sexy Christian Louboutins
Louis Vuitton charm bracelet
AND FOR MY MALE FRIENDS , I have something for you too.
***100% of proceeds go to The Samaritans of NYC!!!
WHY? By attending this event or by making additional donations, you are helping the problem of suicide that is getting a lot of attention in the news these days, through such stories as the death of British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, passing of Bernard Madoff’s elder son and Hillary Clinton’s speaking out on the suicide of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi. Even the music business has its stories, such as the suicide of Def Jam executive Shakir Stewart, or Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige talking about depression. We were really surprised to hear from the Samaritans that more people have died from suicide in this country in the last few years than from AIDS or homicide. It seems obvious that we should all be doing our part to help out so we are helping put together this fundraiser so you can help too.
WHO? My name is Anel Quintero. I was involved with The Samaritans Organization for a great amount of time after I lost a best friend to suicide. I knew my friend was going through a tough time but never imagined he would feel it was the end of his world. I’m not going to focus on the struggles he was going through because “everyone struggles” but rather the emotions that were eating him alive. The feeling of anger, loneliness, anxiety, helpless, hopeless, scared and insecurity wrapped him around like a blanket every moment of his last days. People often make the mistake to believe that the war against us is outside. The reality is the battle against us is outside and the war lies within us. I hope you can join me and my All star host committee in giving people who are feeling hopeless a fighting chance for their lives.
ALL STAR HOST COMMITTEE:
Anel Quintero -- Dev Haut -- Florence Haut -- Irina Tsukerman – Alina Fayer--Yehuda M. Neuman -- Kal Holczler --Jonny Ross -- Samson Meyer Freundlich -- Julia Safar -- Michael Adam Chervony -- Michael Richter --Denis Mahgerefteh aka Diamond D.
***
I am doing this for Matthew David Jacobson. And for Bill Zeller. And for thousands of others whose names I do not know, but who end their own lives in despair each day, not knowing that there ARE answers, that help is already on the way...
May there be no more.
One day, I hope to wake up in the world where everyone chooses life.
With love and determination,
Irina/Nissan
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