We All Should Care

Accept the call for a deeper purpose.

I was reading quotes today, admittedly one of my favorite things to do, because I’m a cool dork like that, and I happened upon a quote that my best friend, and I thought would fit Spencer Bell perfectly:

He had an artists instinct,and by some token, you also have to be an attentive lover of sorts, to your works of art for them to become masterpieces. To breathe life into anything, there has to be time, affection, and heart.
Each piece of art, is a product of something that has been etched on one’s soul. You have but to read Spencer’s words to know that to be true of him as well.
If you’d like to experience his works for yourself, then please visit his Legacy site here: The Music Lives On and just as importantly, if you’d like to make a contribution for research of Adrenal Cancer, please go here: DONATE. Every little bit helps, and is sincerely appreciated.

[[Art courtesy of ]]

I’ve been writing about Spencer Bell daily, since I “met” him, and today is no exception.
Spencer has really caused a renewal of the spark that I had for writing.
He has been an amazing inspiration, and I hope that if he were with us, it would bring a smile to his face to know that.
So, in keeping with that spirit, I’ll post a piece of my prose, and dedicate it to Spencer;an incredible writer, and a very talented young man.

If you’d like to read about Spencer, see his work, see videos, listen to his music, please go here:The Music Lives On And just as importantly, if you’d like to make a donation to help fund the research about the disease that took him from this world, please visit here: DONATE Every contribution is sincerely appreciated.

Someone that I absolutely adore, knows how much I love Spencer Bell, and so she surprised me with something very touching.
It brought tears to my eyes, and melted my heart. Now, it resides on my desktop as my background, and my phone as well. (Replacing Jackson Rathbone, no less *laugh*)
You can see it below:

If you would like to have one just like it, either email me here, or go to her blog site JODIE PLATZ and comment her, letting her know.

Thank you again JoJo, it is amazing, and I love it.

If you’d like to know more about Spencer Bell, see his work, then please go here: THE MUSIC LIVES ON, and if you’d like to donate to the research of Adrenal Cancer, then please, go here: DONATE. Every contribution is appreciated, together, we CAN make a difference.

[[Image/Background provided, and created by: Jodie Platz]]

I decided, that today, I am going to let SPENCER’S words speak for themselves:

There isn’t anything I can add to this,or say about it, without taking away from it and that is the last thing I would ever want.
Please go check out his other art at THE MUSIC LIVES ON or donate to research in his honor: ADRENAL CANCER RESEARCH Every donation is sincerely appreciated. Together, we can make a difference.

[[The original work is the creation of, copyrighted, and owned by Spencer Bell, courtesy of spencerbellmemorial.ning.com]]
[[Image courtesy of google.com/images]]

I have read Spencer’s words so many times, yet each time I do, I either happen upon a piece that I identify with, or that I finally just “get” if that makes sense.
The one I read today, that I want to post about is WHEN I PAINT (Click on the name to read it).
He talks about how he really doesn’t over think his pieces, but they make sense to HIM. I feel that way a lot, but also for me, when I’m writing, I tend to not think much at all. I let my soul do the writing, and basically what happens is a kind of beautiful magic.
Because the piece conceives and births itself.
After reading Spencer’s words, I get the odd sensation, that he felt the same way at times.
If you’d like to read more of his prose, please do! And tell a friend!
Go to THE MUSIC LIVES ON!
If you want to donate to help fund the research of the disease that took him away so young, please visit: ADRENAL CANCER RESEARCH. Any and all donations are appreciated.

[[Image courtesy of spencerbellmemorial.ning.com]]

I love this. I think what initially pulled me to this piece of Spencer’s was the color. Purple is my favorite, of course. So understandably, I’d go “oooh purple!” *laugh* But what kept my attention was the words around the outside of the drawing itself.
There is not enough imagination, compassion, thoughtfulness, creating, inventing. We should strive to create something better, a more beautiful world. Something worth leaving behind for our children, grand children, great grandchildren. Don’t you want to leave them with something that they can be proud of? A legacy that they can look back on and know that they too can be influential, inspiring, make a difference?
I wish there were more Spencer Bell’s of this world. I know he was far from perfect, that he was merely human, but even with his flaws, his imperfections, he still stood out and made a difference.
That’s all we should all hope for, to make an impact.
You want to make an impact? Go here: DONATE and donate to help support research for Adrenal Cancer. Together, we CAN make a difference in the fight with this disease.

[[Image courtesy of spencerbellmemorial.ning.com]]

When I saw this piece of art, I kind of clicked with it. Like I have said many times, I’m sure I don’t take away exactly what the artist has in mind, when I look at art, but I love to hear the varying interpretations of my work,so I can hope that others feel the same way.
Spencer Bell was an amazing artist, is a beautiful soul, and this piece was something that like so many other things I’ve seen of his, may stem from something so few of us learn that young in life.
The key to peace, to acceptance, to unconditional love, to ending racism, or bigotry of any kind,the key to tolerance, starts before birth, essentially. It lies with your parents, the creators of your PHYSICAL form. That is not to say, that if you’re raised around bigots, or fighting, that you can’t make the decision for yourself to be different, I did just that. However, parents are very influential,and some people can’t bring themselves to fight against narrow-minded mentality,even if it’s their own. Hell,most especially if it’s their own.
This world is made up of diversity, none of us are exactly alike, and I find that beautiful. I don’t care what religion you are, what color your skin is, whether you’re tall or short, chunky or thin, everyone has the potential to be beautiful. Beauty for me, is about peace,love,understanding,empathy,compassion,tolerance,knowledge,intelligence, so many things rolled into one.
When will we,as a HUMAN race, understand that the Key to Peace is within reach, it is within ourselves?

If you want to see more of Spencer’s Art, click on his name above,and if you’d like to contribute to research about Adrenal Cancer, the disease that took his life, please, go here: RESEARCH All donations are greatly appreciated.

[[Image courtesy of spencerbellmemorial.ning.com]]

You know how I feel about Spencer Bell, so I’ll spare you the same tired spill, he deserves more than that. His spirit deserves far more than I could ever manage, but I did write something for him, and hope that somewhere he’s reading it and thinking “That doesn’t suck so bad.”

His being taken away so young, is very heart-wrenching, but it has made me very aware, of how many times we miss out on the beautiful souls of this world, take them for granted as if they’ll always be there. Those are the ones who leave us far too soon.
It also made me aware of Adrenal Cancer. A type of cancer that even I (as much as cancer has touched my family) knew nothing about.
If you want to show Spencer some support, go HERE and purchase his merchandise, read his poetry,lyrics, people’s blogs about him. Bask in the afterglow that his spirit has caused.
If you want to act on a larger scale, then by all means, go here: Adrenal Cancer Research and donate to the cause in his name. The more we research about this deadly disease, the closer we come to finding treatment.

If you can’t read the above image (it is a scan of his actual hand written piece, you can find it here: WE ARE ETERNAL): I’ll post the words for you below:

These words, are so true. Any pain we endure, anything we experience, no matter how bad it may feel right now, it doesn’t last forever. We aren’t defined, nor immortalized by our physical body, but by our actions,our words,the difference we make in the world, the memories that others have of us.
That is what makes us eternal.

Spencer Bell knew that very early in life. I’m saddened by his death, yet know his soul lives on. If you want to find out more about Adrenal Cancer (the disease responsible for taking Spencer Bell), then you should go to:Adrenal Cancer Research, and if you can find it in your heart, and wallet, donate to the cause.

[[image courtesy of spencerbellmemorial.ning.com]]

We all know Jackson Rathbone from his role as Jasper Hale in the pop culture phenomenon TWILIGHT, or his roles on The Cleaner and Criminal Minds. Possibly you’re even aware that he is also an amazing musician and is in a band, 100 Monkeys,but are you aware of the softness of his heart? Since I decided to do this “post a day for celebrity charity” I have come to know our celebs on a more personal level. As I write this, I have realized that I no longer have a girlie crush on Jackson, no, I am in complete awe and admiration with him. When skimming pictures to post of him for my last Jackson Rathbone post, I happened upon a picture that was of course gorgeous, and captivating, no doubt. What I noticed other than that, was the blue puzzle piece on his lapel. I am very familiar with the charity that it represents AUTISM SPEAKS. I am raising my god daughter (who is mildly autistic), and helping to raise my god son (who is severely autistic,and living with his grandparents), so anyone that is involved with this cause, has my utmost respect. I started searching, and what I found surprised me, he wasn’t bragging about any of his charity work, with this cause or any other. But he did attend the Autism Speaks 6th Annual Acts of Love event. The only thing I can even find on it, is his picture, which tells me, when he gives, he doesn’t just give out of pocket, but from the heart.
That is what brought tears to my eyes. Jackson has also been linked to supporting another cause that touches the deepest place in my heart CUPCAKES FOR CANCER which was started by a brave cancer survivor, 13 year old, Blakely Colvin . After having lost so many family members TO this disease, and seeing how many lives it affects first hand, it is so beautiful to see even the youngest survivors and supporters working to do their part to help find a cure.
Jackson Rathbone has been added to my list of my real life’s quiet heroes.

[Image by Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos]

[[This article of mine was originally posted at TEN GOSSIP]]