Did you know that, according to statistics listed on the National Domestic Violence Hotline Web site (www.ndvh.org),

• 1 out of 3 women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused during her lifetime?
• 1 in 3 teens report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, slapped, choked, or physically hurt by his or her partner?
• 92 percent of women say that reducing domestic violence and sexual assault should be at the top of any formal efforts taken on behalf of women today?

Statistics like these make me believe that fear really is the worst four-letter word of all. It is horrible for anyone to have to live with huge, daily, stomach-lurching, life-threatening fear. And it is heartbreaking when that fear is felt about a person who should be a source of safety, security, and love.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we lived in a world where:   

•  Women everywhere knew that the laws keeping them safe carried stiffer penalties (and were thus more important) than the laws for tax fraud?
• There were Charm Schools for Treating Women Right, with classes like "Catcalls Are Never Okay" and "Don't Even Think about Using the B Word" required for everyone?
•  The phrase "crimes against women" never needed to be used again? 

What can YOU do to help create this world today?

Watching the news isn't always the easiest thing, especially when so many stories are focused on heartbreaking things most of us wish we could change, fix, or make better some how. Yet earlier this month, CBS Evening news ran one of the most beautiful stories I've seen on the news in a long time about an elephant (Tarra) and a dog (Bella) who managed to become best friends despite their differences. The point reporter Steve Hartman makes at the end is a great one for ALL of us to consider:

"They harbor no fears, no secrets, no prejudices. Just two living creatures who somehow managed to look past their immense differences.

Take good look at this couple, America. Take a good look world. If they can do it - what's our excuse?" 

Check out the full story and the great video of Bella and Tarra here:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/02/assignment_america/main4696340.shtml. 

Are YOU ready to look past differences?  Are YOU ready to befriend someone new?