Tuesday, April 23, 2013

serious hope

A Chicago Tribune columnist, Mary Schmich, wrote in Sunday’s newspaper:
“Targeted mass violence — bombs at a marathon — is more frightening than any other kind of violence.”
Boston bombing, ricin letters, Chicago shootings, Canadian train plot, and the list can go on for much too long. These tragedies not only frighten but harden your view of mankind. Is mankind kind?

I struggle at times like this to hold on to the idea that the vast majority of the world’s population are good, decent, and would rather help than hurt. Even in the chaos of violence you can find the accidental hero rescuing and helping. (remember the 1992 movie “Hero”) The common person who becomes courageous without realizing it as they run toward danger to help strangers in need.

If you can clear yourself of the fear and anger generated by these senseless horrors, you can still find people helping people around the world. Some dedicate their whole lives to charities. Some leave their careers and begin second ones as volunteers. Over the years I’ve done a little volunteer work and donated money to many causes. One of my favorites is Habitat for Humanity.




All this goodness convinces me we have a bright future. I have serious hope for the world improving. I suspect we will have more tragedies. I hope they become few and far between.

Here in Chicagoland two brothers displayed a courageous example of caring for fellow strangers. Ken and Dan were driving home from their restaurant when a horrible expressway accident exploded in front of them. It involved a semi-truck, two cars and large flames. The two brothers managed to pull three people from the burning wreckage. You can read the story and watch a video here.

These caring people didn’t wake up that day and decide to be a hero. They reacted to the situation by helping. I guess adrenaline helps too.

My blog visiting today had two posts by bloggers that I don’t think know each other. Hopefully, they will get connected better now. One, Peggy, living in Australia informed me that Thursday, April 25 is Pay It Forward Day. A wonderful idea for making our world better. The second, Laurie, wrote about the poor children she helps everyday in Honduras.
 

Could it be that there are many bridges over troubled water throughout the world?
I'm on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down


20 comments:

Laurie Matherne said...

Thanks for the mention, Lisleman. Tomorrow is World Malaria Day. I am hoping to find time to write a post from the perspective of the bloodsucking female mosquito, quite possibly the most dangerous animal on earth. If you want to help a cause, find an organization that distributes mosquito nets. They save lives in Africa, Asia and Central and South America.

miruspeg said...

Yes there is a lot of goodness in the world Bill. Ken and Dan certainly were courageous in rescuring those people from the flames....bless them.
Thanks for sharing my post on Pay it Forward Day and connecting me with Laurie.
Always serious hope my friend.
Hugs
Peggy xxxxx

missliz said...

Great post, Bill! I've lived by "Pay It Forward" since I learned of the phrase years ago. If more people knew how good it felt to do this, I think we'd hear more about it! Love the music, too!

Cheryl P. said...

I agree all these violent types of media stories can harden us and it becomes harder to remember how kind people can be. That was very brave of those brothers. It's one thing to help in an emergency but fire coming out of a wreck is scary.



Interesting coincidence...I put together a post about "acts of kindness" but I haven't launched it yet as I haven't gotten it quite right yet. Do bloggers get blogging telepathy.

miruspeg said...

Cheryl I am sure blogger get blogging telepathy. I'll be interested to read your acts of kindness post. xxx

Pat Fortunato said...

That song says it all. If everyone had support and love like that, we'd be in better shape. And I agree with you, we're in pretty good shape as it is.
Don't get bitter! http://www.i-cant-believe-im-not-bitter.com/

Bee said...

My brother was a recipient of Pay It Forward Day today. I didn't realize it was an actual day.

lisleman said...

I know Bill and Melinda Gates have spent money on that cause. Your post idea is interesting. Insects and viruses do kill more than many of the killers that get reported. Drinking water is also a big problem around the world. thanks

lisleman said...

Thanks for giving me the idea. all the best

lisleman said...

thanks - being nice and positive makes for a better day. I try and have felt that good feeling but have slipped into being grumpy at times.

lisleman said...

I'm not sure about "telepathy" but I have noticed group thinking among bloggers. I'm sure we share many views on the world. We know how to and want to communicate. Maybe we just tune into the same ideas about the same time. Would you call that telepathy? I'll just call it a blog mystery for now. thanks

lisleman said...

thanks The hard part is getting everyone thinking in a positive caring way. If we all could sing along then - wait didn't Coke Cola try that already? Sharing a laugh is good start.

lisleman said...

I didn't either until I read Peggy's post. So I thought surely other people didn't know it either. thanks

Laurie Matherne said...

World Malaria Day is Thursday, May 25. I was mistaken. The Link i is here. http://www.worldmalariaday.org/home_en.cfm

lisleman said...

thanks

Antares Cryptos said...

The vast majority of people are decent. Even if they don't actively help, they would not cause harm.

lisleman said...

Yes. Do you think enough people think that way? Certainly easy to think the opposite when violence occurs. I agree and wish more of us did.
thanks

Bearman Cartoons said...

I am hoping I am never a hero because that means I witness a tragedy

lisleman said...

I think most of the accidental heroes feel the same way. thanks

lisleman said...

good logic. thanks

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