Wisdom is Doing Good Stuff

I subscribe to the idea that putting the truth into life, as action to help others, is wisdom. 

A lot of what comes over the band width pipeline isn’t all that wise. Some isn’t true, some doesn't help and a lot is, well selfies, which are by definition self focused.

Here's two great opportunities from the diabetes community do be wise this weekend before “The Game.” 

Diabetes Art Day is one. I am a big fan. It turns the undeniable and often inexpressible truth of the emotional baggage of living with diabetes into something to share, inspire that is positive too. There is a trifecta. Make art this weekend, then eat nachos and watch the Super Bowl commercials. 

Spare a Rose is another. The diabetes online community is coming together this Valentine’s Day to, "Spare a Rose Save a Child." Lack of insulin is the leading cause of death for Children with type 1 diabetes around the world. Insulin is needed in developing nations. The international Diabetes Foundation Life for a Child program is a sustainable way to save kids lives. It cheap too. Five bucks keeps a child alive for a month. About what a fancy Valentin’s Day rose cost. Be wise, buy fewer flowers this year and keep kids alive. 

Both these efforts seek to bring community together, do good things, for others. Sure it fun watch TV poke fun at the Biebs and Rob Ford. Maybe doing some good is a wiser use of the time. Sure it's fun watch TV poke fun at the Biebs and Rob Ford. Maybe doing some good is a wiser use of the time.

USDEURGBPJPYCADAUD	Spare 1 Rose = $5 = 1 month of Life for a Child2 Roses = $10 = 2 months of Life for a Child3 Roses = $15 = 3 months of Life for a Child6 Roses = $30 = 6 months of Life for a Child1 Dozen Roses = $60 = A year of Life for a Child2 Dozen Roses = $120 = Two years of Life for a Child

One of Three

To Perpetuity.

Diabetes doesn't end. This fantastic piece from the Diabetes Art Day collection, by the Gulo family, makes that clear. 

Diabetes is a disease not a character flaw. A disease that 25 million american live with, significantly more than that if the undiagnosed are includes. Some estimates put that 'significantly more' as ONE in THREE Americans.

FDA is is holding patient meetings to provide "a more systematic approach to obtaining the patient perspective on certain disease areas." Diabetes isn't on of them. Let's Change that

1 in 3

diatribe.org/petition

 One in three of us have it and the other two loves someone who does. I have asked FDA for a patient meeting on diabetes. Join me, sign the petition, get two loved ones to sign too.

Be one of three

Diabetes Art Day Fans - A Favor Please?

I love diabetes art day. It's brilliant.

The good folks at the local news posted a web print story about it. Let's bury it with positive feed back. Make them want that kind of response again and maybe do an on air feature.

Go comment on this story - say something nice. http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news%2Fhealth&id=8974534 (registration required)

Diabetes Art Day 2013

Today is Diabetes Art Day.

Take some time, create something.

This year my contribution is called Two.

Twice the fun. 

Diabetes Art Day is Moving (Soon)

Diabetes Art Day is Moving to February. After three successful years in the fall it is moving to the 

First Monday in February. Great news of a way to shake off the February Blues! 

Diabetes Art Day 2013 is February 4.

Just a few weeks. 

Start Your Art

Celebrate Diabetes Art Day! #DArtDay

Celebrate Diabetes Art Day!

Click the picture. Browse the Galleries. Enjoy.

Celebrate. Today is  #DArtDay.

Diabetes Art Day is Celebration. Not of diabetes but of the diverse individuals who live with it. Diabetes is a daily challenge. Living well with diabetes requires connections and creativity. So does art. Today is the day to stretch that creativity in different ways. 

Join the fun. See thing differently. Celebrate creativity. 

http://www.diabetesartday.com

Here is My Piece

Diagnosis Detonation

A diabetes diagnosis seems like a massive blast. A mushroom cloud of confusing terms and responsibilities seems all consuming. All kinds of strips, sets and scrips seem to create a cloud that blocks out all else. Hopefully, in time that cloud shrinks. This one less than a foot tall and was made with laughs and smiles as well as strips, sets and scrips. 

Here's to shrinking explosions.  

Make Art This Weekend.

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for. ~Georgia O’Keeffe

Diabetes Art Day is a web-based initiative for the Diabetes Online Community to “tell a story” about life with diabetes though creative visual expression. It’s a way for us to tell our stories so we can connect and share with each other and with our loved ones. It’s a way to generate diabetes awareness outside of the DOC by sharing artwork on Facebook, Twitter, blogs and community websites. Diabetes Art Day is for people young and old with any type of diabetes and their families, so children, spouses, parents, siblings, or anyone who is affected by diabetes can participate. For this one day, you’re encouraged to break out of your linguistic comfort zone, bust out some art materials, and make a piece of artwork – painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, an installation piece, a mixed media something or other, or whatever you can imagine. Whether you have lots of experience making art or none at all, Diabetes Art Day is for you to show the world what it’s like to live with diabetes in that “a picture is worth 1000 words” kind of way.

Diabetes Art Day 2012 is September 24.

Please note that starting in 2013, Diabetes Art Day will be the first Monday in February. The next Diabetes Art Day will be February 4.

Diabetes Art Day

At our house art involves cameras. The new camera shoots video too so art involves video. We rant about writing, editing and design and too. Opinions over acting are fighting words. Here the Emmys and Oscars are full contact sport just served with guacamole. Come to think of it cooking is an art we are passionate about too but I digress.

So staying in character our submissions for art day are some of our favorite diabetes videos.