World of Good, Catblogging Style

The World of Good (WOG) is about the way the world really works. Small acts of kindness adding up to big progress for all of us. Here’s another example.

Laurence Simon is the originator of the Carnival of the Cats. It is one of the longest-running, most successful blog carnivals in the world. Every week it gives catbloggers like me a chance to share our furries. It wasn’t always thus. For a time, the Carnival had few participants and didn’t look like it was going to survive. Laurence considered shutting it down.

Mog is a catblogger. She does more than just post about her cats. She gives support to those who need it.

Keefe, snoozing.
When I first started out, Mog was one of the first people to link to my blog. It was a very big deal to me and I’ll never forget it. I had nothing to offer her, but she did it just the same. I had no idea who she was, but I felt the warmth of Mog from far away.

When the Carnival of the Cats looked like it was about to fold, Mog encouraged Laurence Simon to keep it going. Her support kept it alive to become the popular Carnival it is today. A small act, but a crucial one. That little bit of kindness from Mog has allowed catbloggers from all over the world to connect.

Think about that for a bit. Some kind words in an email have enabled us to meet once a week on the Internet and smile as we see pictures of each others’ cats. Our days brightened by this little interaction, we go on to treat the people around us a little bit better. A small act of kindness from Mog has had a ripple effect across time and distance.

Meowza, gettin some lovin'.
Mog has MS. Sometimes she blogs about it. Recently she had a flare up that put her in the hospital. Out of sick leave and short of cash, she is now struggling to find ways to cover her medical bills and get back to work. Laurence heard about this and took action. He is well connected in the blogging world and made sure that news of her problems circulated that she might get some help. Other bloggers took up the cause and posted about it because Laurence Simon, like Mog, has been a source of support and encouragement for many of us. Laurence suggested that Mog set up a PayPal account so we could send her support more easily.

Such is the way of the world. It is in these small actions of kindness that we all contribute to each other. We're all going to die someday, the healthy and the strong and the weak and the frail. One hundred years after that, no one will know which was which. Everyone will feel the effects of those who gave of themselves and loved and feel the warmer because of it. Karmic global warming, if you will. In this case you can see the little ripples spreading out from the warmth of Mog every Sunday when another Carnival of the Cats goes up.

Izzy, laughing at some secret joke.
Having corresponded with Mog by email, I can see that the Carnival of the Cats is just a single, small instance of what she has done. When I started writing this, I had no idea of the other things she has done with her life. That little act of warmth has been repeated throughout time and place in the people whose lives she has touched.

Although you’ve never met, it’s a good bet that you’ve been the recipient of Mog’s kindness reflected in someone you know. MS is a harsh master and her difficulties still exist. Maybe you could help.

Over at her blog she has a PayPal donation button on the right hand column. A few bucks would help.

Another nice way would be to visit her Cafe Press shop and pick out a trinket. It's not much money, but it would mean a lot. Here's my favorite.

The world is full of good people. After you visit Mog's blog, check out some more WOGs here.

For more feline fun, visit this week's Friday Ark and Carnival of the Cats. Stop the ACLU has open trackbacks this weekend as well.