Are you disheartened and afraid after the recent horrific shootings in California, Texas, and Ohio? Take a minute to refresh yourself.
The news this weekend was overwhelming. People responded with grief and anger and a variety of other emotions. All those responses are appropriate. But it’s easy to take too much of that in. If we don’t take care of ourselves, we won’t be healthy enough physically, mentally, or emotionally work the changes we want to see.
Mr. Rogers said there’s comfort in looking for the helpers, and he was right. So, take a minute and look for the helpers. Let’s get started:
A Step Toward Cleaner Oceans
Irish Teenager Wins Google Science Award for Removing Microplastics From Oceans
“He used magnets to attract microplastics from water. The project found that a magnetic liquid called ferrofluid attracted the tiny plastic particles and removed them from the water. After nearly a thousand tests, his device successfully removed about 88 percent of the microplastics from water samples.” Read more.
Community Donation Event
While shopping for sandals for their vacation, her daughter asked to buy shoes for a classmate. It inspired her mother. And her mother inspired their whole community.
“A 9-year-old girl who asked if she could buy a pair of shoes for a classmate who couldn’t afford his own inspired her mom to take advantage of Payless’s going-out-of-business sales and buy out all 1,500 shoes at a shuttering location to donate to other kids in need.” Read more.
Truly Make Believe
A woman with dyslexia helps herself by helping others. And her mission grew into Truly Make Believe.
“For most of her life, Rachel Oehlert has struggled with dyslexia, often becoming confused when looking at words on a page or seeing letters as backward or upside down.”
“When her nervousness about reading aloud in grade school continued into adulthood, Oehlert, 24, of Thornton, Colo., thought she needed something radical to jolt her out of her fear.”
“In 2016, she came up with an idea. She bought a princess costume with some money she had been given for her birthday, then arranged to visit a children’s hospital bedecked as Belle from Beauty and the Beast.” Read more.
Beaux & Paws
A 12-year-old boy designs bow ties for shelter pets.
“Darius Brown was diagnosed with developmental delays when he was 2, but a hobby creating bow ties has helped him flourish — while benefiting the animals he loves, too.” Read more.
I hope you don’t feel so disheartened and afraid. I wish I could say such horrific events aren’t likely to happen again. Unfortunately, we all know that’s not true. But, if you and I look to the helpers, we can beat the helplessness of feeling disheartened and afraid. And we can be helpers, too.