From the Author

Monday, September 17, 2018

Trials and Struggles

I have been keeping in touch with relatives who are weathering the hurricanes in the Carolinas. While I am grateful for their safety, I am concerned about all of those whose lives have been upended.  It is so sad to think of the lives that have been lost; the homes, livelihood, and security that have been compromised.

"The most beautiful people I've known are those who have know trials, have known struggles, have known loss, and have found their way out of the depths." Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

It is these individuals who have triumphed over adversity who are everyday, powerful examples of true heroes.  They are taking one day at a time to make the best out of a difficult situation.  The other heroes are the individuals who are risking their lives to rescue all of the people who are victims of this violence of nature.

The greed of a world places lives at increasing risk because of financial disparity, of disdain for our environment, and lack of resources for the devastation of natural and unnatural disasters. I hope that, as a country, we will allocate money, workers, supplies, and assistance with resettling for all who are left homeless, without power, safe water, food, clothing and hope. 

Please remember all of those who are suffering in our prayers and provide whatever help we can including donations and support. I hope that in the midst of suffering, we can find our humanity and "a way out of the depths". 

Thursday, September 6, 2018

How Much You Care

"There's an old saying: "Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care." I've discovered that this is an accurate statement, and one that is worth remembering."  Gordon W., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

"It was my first night caring for an elderly patient. When he grew sleepy, I wheeled his chair as close to the bed as possible and, using the techniques I'd learned in school, grasped him in a bear hug to lift him onto the bed.  But I couldn't clear the top of the mattress.  So I grabbed him again, summoned all my might, and hoisted him onto the bed.

When the night shift nurse arrived, I recounted what had happened. "Funny," she said, looking puzzled.  "Usually I just ask him to get in bed, and he does."  Erin Dockery, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Caring means looking deeper than facts and "book knowledge" and explore the feelings involved in day to day decisions.

"Every day, I recognize the power of kindness to change the world.  I've never been so convinced that kindness is the essential antidote to the divisions and disconnections we're seeing."
Daniel Lubetzky, founder of Kind Healthy snacks and the Kind Foundation which fosters communities that are healthier and more empathetic worldwide

Remember to be kind first and knowledgeable second!  If we can change our immediate world now, maybe change is possible for the rest of the world in the future.