Are We There Yet? vol. 76
On Monday, our company had a charity event supporting Shelter House. Shelter House, Inc. is a community-based, non-profit organization that provides crisis intervention, safe housing, and supportive services to homeless families and victims of domestic violence in our community. We purchased laundry baskets, household items, bedding, personal care items, etc. and gathered as a team to put together “move-in kits for those they support.
One might imagine that this event was in response to the earthquake in Haiti, Afghan refugees arriving in the US, people who lost their homes in fires out west or flood victims in Nashville. But it wasn’t. This was planned long before these most recent crises and demonstrates that while each of those events was a tragedy in and of itself, there are families every day going through their own personal crises and tragedies.
While we can view these events, large and small, with a very negative perspective and despair about a world in crisis, I prefer a different perspective. In each of these tragedies, there are groups of heroes and everyday people running toward the crisis to help. From first responders and medical professionals fighting the Covid crisis to organizations helping refugees get settled to the aid organizations helping in Haiti to everyday companies supporting charities and, especially today, to military personnel and aid workers helping to evacuate people in Kabul. The list goes on and on. I’m in awe and heartened by the charity and bravery shown by so many.
As I’m writing this on Thursday, I’m listening to report of the terrorist attack at the airport in Kabul and the deaths of so many, including 12 US military personnel. My thoughts and prayers go out to those families.
This week’s selection is:
BOOK:
Kindness by Ali Catterall and Kitty Collins
As written by Waterstones, “The definitive guide to kindness - a book full of inspirational ideas, quotes and famous acts of kindness, at a time when we need it most. "If you see someone without a smile today, give 'em yours." Dolly Parton This empowering guide to kindness will inspire you to make a real difference to your life and the lives of others. Inside you'll find: - over 50 stories about famous - and not so famous - acts of kindness, from Jacinda Ardern's empathetic leadership during the Coronavirus pandemic to Marcus Rashford's determination to support underprivileged children, and the real story of the WWI Christmas Truce. - suggestions for acts of kindness you can carry out yourself, to improve the lives of those around you.”