The Antidote
It's the positive antidote to all the negative news being broadcast. It's a place you can go to fill up with positive, affirming news. It's also a place for you to share your stories. When you see or hear of something wonderful going on in your community, post it here!
I'm looking for stories of people helping people they may not even know. People doing good without looking for a reward. It can be something big, or something as simple as noticing someone give up a seat to an elderly person. The entries can be a line or several paragraphs. Share links to positive news stories! Let's change our focus and start looking for all the good things going on around our communities and the world.
Thanks for your help and support in making my vision happen.
Love, Paula
Ralph Pontillo had a vision now known as Roar On The Shore. His vision has brought millions of dollars into our local communities. It has also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities. He has obviously had lots of help, but this is an example of how one person can make a big difference by just following their dream.
ReplyDeleteBeing temporarily handicapped, it's so gratifying to experience the kindness of strangers. When I'm out, people offer to open the door for me and ask if they can help me in any way. My husband is right there, but they still offer. The goodness of people is heartwarming.
ReplyDeleteIn May 2011, while traveling home from our Alaskan cruise, my husband and I had the most delightful experience at the Seattle airport. The attendant at the airline desk was pleasant, helpful, relaxed and sweet. Not the usual "all business". Then we went through security and had the same experience with the TSA. He was an elderly gentleman with a twinkle in his eye and kind words and jokes coming out of his mouth. I have to say it was the best experience we've ever had while traveling. It was the perfect way to end a perfect vacation.
ReplyDeleteI know it doesn't get much positive feedback in mass but I definitely believe that the Occupy movement is bringing positive outcomes to our society. With the Occupy our Homes movement, these protestors are physically camping themselves outsides of elderly men and women's homes to give them the opportunity to remain in their homes regardless of their inabilities to pay. I think this is one of the most giving actions that the younger generation has acted on so far. It is easy to say the generation is angry, and for rightful reasons, but these actions show that people are innately good.
ReplyDeleteWhile helping out with "The Big Backyard" project, I was in awe of all the people who gave their time, money, food, equipment, and expertise. There were so many people there doing very physical, hard labor in all kinds of weather. They weren't getting anything out of it except the feel good feeling you get when you're doing something nice for someone. The goodness of humanity never ceases to amaze me.
ReplyDeleteThis story came to me from Clare Connors. Thank you for sharing your story Clare.
ReplyDeleteThe other day I was taking two large bags of groceries to my car in a grocery cart. I'm 72 years old and very petite. Since it was very windy, I had some misgivings about the process of transferring the bags to the car. I got the trunk lid up and was easing the cart toward the car, hoping the wind wouldn't blow the lid shut.
Just as I approached the car, an SUV pulled up beside me. The woman driving it rolled down the window and said, "It looks like you could use some help." Just then, her daughter got out of the car and put the bags in the trunk for me. She was about 9 or 10 years old and full of smiles. As I was thanking her, she took the grocery cart and pushed it to the nearest cart corral, then skipped back to her car.
It was heartwarming, touching and refreshing to see a young person like her lending a helping hand to a total stranger and taking such obvious delight in doing so.
I've lived in this community for over five years now, and several times strangers have come forth to help me shovel snow, carry trash bags to dumpsters, and transfer heavy items from my car. Random acts of kindness, indeed! Bless those kind fellow-humans!
There are all kinds of organizations bringing balance back to the world. I would like to post about the one I am involved in. Because You Care takes in stray and abused dogs and cats. I joined a year and a half ago, and it has been such a positive influence in my life. I have become a foster home, and also add and take off the animals in a site called Petfinder. It has made me aware of the problems these poor creatures face every day and it makes my spirit soar to know that they are now being taken care of. I have met many wonderful people also. They give their time, money, homes and all their love to these animals. My grandchildren have become aware of the problem and help out at our home. They also have expressed an interest in taking in stray and abused animals when they are old enough. What a great learning experience for them also! As you can tell, I can't say enough about this organization. It has changed the energy not only in me and my family, but also is giving back positive energy to all involved.
ReplyDeleteI don't normally watch the news on TV because it's always so depressing. But last night I was busy doing something and I couldn't change the station or turn the TV off altogether. The lead story was about the tornados in the mid-west. But the interesting thing was, besides showing the devastation, there was a side story about the hundreds of people that came from all over the country to help out. I'm not talking about The Red Cross or any government organizations. I'm talking about average, ordinary citizens (men, women, and children) who came from all over to bring food, clothes, water, love, and compassion. They came to help move debris and do whatever else they could do help out. It's a lot of hard work with no reward except the good feeling of one human being helping out another human being. THAT'S what I'm talking about. I so firmly believe in the goodness of humanity and this was a confirmation of that goodness.
ReplyDeleteLast week my husband and I went to The Olive Garden for dinner. I'm still non weight bearing so I have to use a walker. As we were leaving the Olive Garden, a teenage girl saw me going to the door. She ran over and opened it for me. That was so sweet. A young, stranger was right there to help me out. It was very appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThis morning I had a doctor appointment. Tom left me off at the door and then went to park the car. The office building has those panels you push to open the doors like they have at hospitals. I was getting ready to go over to push one when an elderly woman came up behind me and offered to help. Again, a perfect stranger offering to help. People are so good.
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