Thursday, December 10, 2009

Does going up against the odds give back to the world?

Answer the any number of the following

1- When you go up against the odds intentionally and you know they are stacked heavily against you does that give back to the world?

2- What kind of people going up against the odds impresses you most?

3- What do you think about the idea in general?

4- What do you think of this real life example?

What do you think about going up against difficult odds intentionally?
The following person is sending art only letters from San Francisco to NY out of the white pages with return envelopes. Think about what the return rate would be…. Take a guess and then visit

click here


Going up against the odds inspired this for me: Not much connection but it got me to look for .... What is possible? Do you think it is possible to find this woman a kidney?

click here



The next post will be coming before Monday, December 21st 2009.
If you look carefully at my profile you will get a hint of things to come.

34 comments:

  1. I think the answer to the first question depends on your intention. For example, if you go to Las Vegas to gamble, you are intentionally going up against the odds (sorry about the unoriginal example), but if you happen to win, you are only gaining money for yourself, which is not likely to help the world. There are many people who do help the world by going against the odds - grassroots activists (depending on their cause, of course), or someone battling a serious illness who has something to contribute to the world.

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  2. Sometimes we must go against the odds, if we really believe in something.

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  3. Going against the odds can sometimes mean swimming against the tide of opinion. Which can take a very brave soul as it is so much easier to go in the same direction as the crowd. Do I think this gives back to the world absolutely because diversity makes the world a better place.
    I am not suprised the artist has had no replies but I do hope the lady will get her kidney.

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  4. It depends on the motive. If one goes up against the odds just for the "fight"...or just for the "attention", then I'm not going to be very interested. If they're willing to try/do something that's against the odds for the sake of others, then I wish them well and hope they're happy with the results...whatever they may be.
    Too bad for the artist...doesn't look like she's hearing back from anyone.

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  5. 2. The ones that belive so much in what they think without caring that almost everybody else things the oposit and that are capabke of taking important risk due to their beliefs although they know that if things go wrong they can end up really perjudicating themself.

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  6. Going up against the odds can make you a stronger person. We tend to value more what is difficult to achieve.

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  7. I was always strangely enamored of people going up against the odds in battle. It's a sad thing to be stirred by such things but I can't seem to help it. when few stood against many.

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  8. I think everything is possible. Love the thought provoking questions!

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  9. I'm not sure the artist qualifies as going against the odds. Sending unsolicited mail of this nature strikes me more of an invasion of the stalker type. With the misspellings, the typing and the nature of the drawings, I can see why people receiving them would not respond. I fail to see how this is trying to connect with the art world, the stated mission of the project.

    I hope the woman finds a kidney.

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  10. I face the odds everyday and I am not impressed. It just wears me out.

    Love Renee xooxxo

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  11. I think we go up against the odds every day, just being alive. :-) All the rest after that is gravy. I must admit, though, I do like a certain challenge. I don't like things to be too easy.

    2- What kind of people going up against the odds impresses you most? Policemen and firefighters -- people who put their lives on the line for other people.

    Great post!

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  12. I say go for it. People that aren't willing to risk tend to live boring, meaningless lives.

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  13. Being a photographer I go against the odds for monetary success everyday. Anyone in the arts; writing, painting, music, will tell you it is very hard to make a living. It's against the odds. But my intent is not to become successful in monetary terms, although it would help, but to be successful in bringing beauty into someone else's life. In that sense I believe that going against the odds does give back to the world.

    Cheers!
    Julie
    Julie Magers Soulen Photography
    Blog of Note

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  14. Hi Tom,
    Great information! It is very hard for most people to step out of their comfort zone. I like the questions your post was asking. Self knowledge leads to self improvement.
    Take care,
    Dr. Bob

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  15. Tom I am living proof that going against the odds helps the world...not only by modeling to my son to give back and become a wonderful human being (he has gone with me all his life to charity events) but I myself have been on my won since I was 17...had a baby young no married now I have a BSN (have saved children something I am very proud of but feel more blessed to have been privileged to be there), but I graduate with my MBA next week! Thanks for all the understanding and coming to my blog for a smile!!!

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  16. Question No. 2
    The little girls in junior high who don’t fit in but brave it everyday and go on to be amazing nurturing women.

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  17. We must go against the odds for a noble cause. :)

    Best wishes.

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  18. I think the cause means more than the odds - if it is just, we must go forth.

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  19. Most people think going against the odds is wearing red nail polish when clearly the trend is pink or wearing white after labor day. It is a funny thing what people think of a sacrifice.

    I was surprised the letter lady did not get any returns. I would have guessed that there are more people out there craving some human contact.

    Did I understand that kidney lady correctly? This is the second replacement kidney she is looking for?

    Tom, Farmer Pirate

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  20. Going against the odds, can make a difference and change the world. I admire people who are not afraid to stand up for what is right, or what they believe in. I have deep respect for those who go against the grain by making choices based on knowledge and ethics rather than following cultural patterns.

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  21. Going against the odds takes courage. While I don't think the courage of one person makes a huge impact on the world as a whole, I believe one person's courage may spark another, then another and so on. Then there is a bigger impact that the world can feel. So in the long run I would have to say that going against the odds makes a difference in the world.

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  22. i i feel something is right, i dont worry about going against the odds. it makes a difference.

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  23. My daughter had cystic fibrosis and had a double lung transplant that lasted two years. She lived against the odds every day and then some. She inspired me. She lost the battle August 25, 2007 at 25 years old and she still inspires me every day, I had a front row seat. I was the luckiest person to be there.jeNN

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  24. The value of an "Against all odds" story is inspiration. It sends the message to not give up hope. I've told my kids that sometimes we go through tough situations so that we can minister to someone later on down the road who is facing something difficult. Sometimes you have to look ahead to find meaning in the present.

    We, as a family, pulled for Army in the Army/Navy football game today. Talk about against all odds... oh well.

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  25. Looks like I am the only one but I so don't get it what's this post about :-(

    Forgive me for that please.

    Thanks for visiting my blog and have a great day, cheers: Evi

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  26. I think if you really believe in something, you have to follow that drive regardless of the odds.

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  27. possible is nothing...

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  28. impossible is nothing.

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  29. hi tom... interesting blog you've got here.- I wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting on my 'wish list' -- haha, I've skiied my entire life and I have recently come to love skiboards- they make for a more exciting ride! haha. Anyway, keeping fighting for what you believe in, even if the world is against you, stand firm. But always remember to love your enemies. Have a wonderful week... ciao!

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  30. Thank you..for your writing. Thank you.

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  31. For me, it is ALWAYS about the heart and its intentions.... I never even think about the odds.

    Wonderful post!

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  32. If I understood the lady with the kidney right, this is her second kidney after twenty-one years.She has published her intention and has full belief in it. I hope she will find what is required for her to live on...

    Looking for a kidney is not quite the same, in my book, as sending out letters to anonymous people. I think he is going against all odds on that one, since most people will throw out letters such as this. It's a shame, really.

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  33. We went against the odds and tried chemo therapy for my 9 year old daughter when there was little hope that it would shrink her grapefruit sized tumor. We had to try and hope for a miracle. I would have done everything with in my power to try and save her life, but we had to let go. I believe she changed lives by the way she lived over the last year.

    Steve

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