Covid, riots, protests, insurgents, politics . . . with so much stressful news making its way in to our minds, it is easy to think that there is not much good happening in the world. But, in fact, there is. There are people helping people, people helping nature, and over all good surprises that no one was expecting and it’s happening behind the sour news that seems so prevalent. Here is a recap of good things to start your day:
- Arizona has started a program that feeds the hungry while saving local farms and businesses. The Feed Phoenix program distributed healthy, cooked meals (as opposed to boxed and canned food that normally goes to the underprivileged.) The meals are warm, healthy, and use resources from local farms and businesses. It is a win program and a beacon of light, hope, and full bellies during stressful times.
- In the UK and Scotland, plumber James Anderson has been helping the elderly and disabled with plumbing issues since 2017. He stated that the pandemic has been especially difficult and has spent £57,000 during the pandemic helping people with plumbing, heating, food, PPE, and even paying bills. Asking nothing in return, James does this out of the kindness in his heart.
- Oncologist Dr. Omar Atiq lost his clinic in February 2020. The reason, no matter if a cancer patient could pay or not, the good doctor treated his patients. Although this is a sure way to go bankrupt, Dr. Atiq ran his business the best way he knew how: Treating those who were sick, no matter the cost. Although his business closed down, his patients received necessary cancer treatments. When the facility closed down, it had $65,000 debt on the books and Dr. Atiq forgave all the outstanding debt. Even though he’s no longer treating his patients, Dr. Atik found one final way to practice some kindness and compassion on their behalf. “I just hope that it gave them a little sigh of relief and made it easier for them so they could face other challenges they may be facing in their lives.”
- After an illness contracted during a backpacking trip left Reuben Schoots ill and depressed, the 27 year old became addicted to opiates. With so much time on his hands, he sunk in to addiction and depression. Until the day he noticed a friends watch. Schoots became interested in how the watch worked and pursued the lost art of watchmaking. Schoots committed much of his time to the study of horology and began the intricate process of making time pieces. During this pandemic perhaps we could all learn something from Reuben. Use the time wisely and pursue a hobby or interest. There is no time like the present.
- And to finish things off, who says crime doesn’t pay? I do not advocate victimizing other people. When someone shoplifts from a store, the owner is victimized because he loses money, trust, and security. However, what if the person stealing is also a victim? Maybe the person is simply trying to eat? Five days before Christmas 2020, police officer Matt Lima was called to a routine shoplifting call at a Stop and Shop. Once there, the officer was confronted with two women who had attempted to shop lift items so they could have a Christmas meal for their children. It would be easy for some people to hold to “a crime is a crime” but to Officer Lima, the crime was that these women felt the need to shoplift to have a holiday meal for their children. In response, Matt Lima refused to file charges and instead, gave the women $250 gift cards so they could purchase a holiday meal for their families. If a little compassion goes a long way, imagine what it could do on a daily basis? Justice was served!
Thank you for reading my article and I hope it helps to start your day off on a positive note. If you liked it, please drop me a comment telling me how it helped your day.
