The world is in such a state of chaos that sometimes it is difficult to see the goodness that is always around us, even in the most chaotic and challenging moments. We often have to force ourselves not to despair when we see so many images of man’s inhumanity to man. Such times are also when we are most likely to see heroes, good people who dive into the fray to be helpers. Such souls are always quietly among us humbly and quietly using their kindness and their talents to ease pain. They are the souls who run into disasters rather than away from them. They open their hearts and their homes and their pocketbooks to suffering souls anonymously. The do not seek glory, but instead earnestly spread their compassion simply because they know it is the right thing to do. Sometimes they even sacrifice their lives in the quest to comfort strangers in need.
They are the people like my neighbor who demanded a murderer to release his frightened children into her care after he had killed their mother. They are souls who volunteer at soup kitchens and food pantries. They are the former school administrator who rushes to Haiti after an earthquake to provide aid and succor. They are the colleague who has built a school and cultivated a community farm in Africa. They are people who do not see others as members of unseen masses, but as beautiful individuals with the same hopes and dreams that each of us hold dearly in our hearts. They are the young person who puts his reputation and safety on the line advocating for the misunderstood.
Good people are all around us, going about their lives like the rest of us. Sometimes we do not even know the extent of their goodness until they have died. Their goal is not to achieve status or glory, but simply to respond to the cries for help that they encounter. I had a cousin who died much younger than the rest of us. We loved him and laughed constantly at his silly jokes, but we had little idea of the saintly man that he was until the testimonials of his charitable heart informed us of his largess. We were stunned to learn of his ceaseless devotion to performing works of mercy.
My own mother suffered far more than most people ever will and yet her love radiated out in all directions like rays of sacrifice and joy from the center of her heart. She gave of herself intensely and more often than not she was totally misunderstood because of her many illnesses and lack of worldly riches. Still, she touched the hearts of many people who might otherwise have been forgotten. She really saw people that others may not have ever noticed.
My uncle William was another such person. He was quiet, unassuming and sometimes seemingly invisible beyond the borders of his home. Those of us who knew him often took his goodness for granted because there was nothing flashy or exciting about him. He simply went about his days spreading boundless love, even to the mother of a mass murdere whom he happened to know because of his work as a postal carrier
People sometimes overlook the wisdom and glory of the quiet people who respond to the needs of others. We elevate those who seem strong and powerful rather than noticing that it is the legion of faceless helpers who change the world for the better, not the blustering showboaters whose goal is to maintain power. We only notice the guy with a tiny boat when rains inundate our homes and he comes to save us.
If we stop long enough to watch and to see beyond the wars and the shooters and the haters our vision will clear. Suddenly we notice the woman cleaning the rooms of the sick, the doctors and nurses who won’t leave a hospital even as bombs detonate around them. We see the police and firefighters and volunteers who race into a building that is about to collapse to save those attempting to escape for the flames. We hear of chefs bringing food to places where most of us would not dare to go.
Sometimes it seems easier to give up hope than to join the legions of ordinary people with extraordinary altruism and courage. We worry about the state of the world instead of finding a way to be kind, to do good, to create the changes that will benefit all. We sit in our tiny worlds and see only masses of suffering rather than noticing each individual. We forget that what separates us as humans is small and insignificant. Often we do not even notice all of the things that unite us.
We have the power to rescue people from harm but sometimes seem to lack the will. It is easier to only see the world as a game of them versus me. We demand simplistic solutions that do not endanger our bank accounts or our comfort. We walk through life avoiding any person or situation that makes us feel uncomfortable and yet surely we see the real heroes, the people unafraid to make a difference without concern about the sacrifices that may be required.
Take some time to look at even the most horrific places where war and destruction exist. It is in the ashes that you will find the unknown souls who always respond to cries for help. Look at them. Know them. Be them.
All It Takes Is A Little Love 