Different Ways of Serving Others

When we think of service, many times we think of just paid staff whether at home, or restaurants, or companies with a customer service department. 

How many of us think also of unpaid individuals who voluntarily "serve" others for the sake of just helping out? 

Below, you will find links to articles about people who, either in a group or on their own, have served others by taking action. These are what I consider "positive headlines."

From the Good News Network:

1. The Gift of Love: 

Teen Floundering in Foster Care Finally Gets to be a Sister With Real Family for First Time  
Aug 7, 2023

1. The Gift of Nutrition: 

GNN Readers Donate 20,000 Meals to Hungry Kids in Partnership With Nutrition Company 
Aug 6, 2023

1. The Gift of Caring: 

Hero Post Office Worker Saves Senior From Sending Thousands of Dollars to a Scammer 
Aug 6, 2023

1. The Gift of Reading: 

CNN Hero: Man Helps Barbers Fill Their Shops with Books to Help Kids Find Excitement in Reading 
Aug 3, 2023

When one gives to others without expecting anything in return, there is a joy to be found that fills one's heart. 

Acts of service can be done every day. Many times, there is not even the need to spend money. Many times, these acts of service don't need to be big; they just need to be performed: a smile or a hello to someone walking by; a door held for someone, anyone...; picking up something that fell, or was thrown to the ground, and putting it back where it belongs. You get the idea. 

Our act of service might never make the news and be posted somewhere for someone to read, but I assure you that it will be recorded in someone's heart and your day will be better for it. 

After all, as the scriptures say, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Matthew 24:40 (from 20 Bible Verses to Inspire You to Help Others)

So, let's get out there and act, serve, and love. Positive headlines will be written in our hearts and in the hears of those we reach. 

And We Just Call Them Animals

Sometimes, I feel ashamed of being human. We look at the other types of animals (after all, we are part of the animal kingdom ourselves) and we consider them subpar. We think that they are not capable of emotions, love, anger, or what have you. Yet, animals have feelings too. And many times, they behave better towards members of the same species (and sometimes of different species) than we do.

Point in case, this article about four chimpanzees rescued from a circus who, when finally rescued and placed at a sanctuary, embraced one another:

"Footage shows the four chimps joyously coming together with hugs and grooming sessions in the quarantine area, where they will remain in quarantine for two months before integrating into one of the sanctuary’s 12 chimp islands that in total span 150 acres."

They were happy to be together and safe. Oh, how I wish I could have been there in person. I love people, but I love animals even more. They teach us so much and if someone were to tell me I behave like an animal, it would be an honor. 

You can read the whole article on the Good News Network.

I wish all to behave a little more like animals. 

Friendship Over Victory

 I was watching the news last night and they ran a story about two young women who were competing for the national title and a go to the European finals in fencing.
Gaia was winning 12 to 9 against Emilia. As Gaia backed up, she fell and hurt her ankle. Emilia could have gone for the win but, with only a few seconds left, she realized that Gaia would have not been able to keep going and defend herself. So, Emilia decided to do what she thought was only fair: let the time run out and allow Gaia to keep her winning score. 

Emilia could have won the national title and go on to compete in the European finals. She chose friendship over victory. In a world where many are thinking of themselves, Emilia showed us integrity, compassion, and love. 

Below is the translated article from Quotidiano Nazionale.

Fencing, when friendship counts more than victory. A story of fair play and emotion
Gaia gets hurt in the final one step away from the Italian title, her rival Emilia does not attack her and gives up beating her: "Today she taught me a lot". And she bursts into tears

Vercelli, 16 April 2023 – There are golden defeats, gestures that are worth more than an Olympic medal because they remain in the heart forever. Like what the young swordswoman Emilia Rossati, from Ferrara, did yesterday: in the final for the Italian championship under 23 in Vercelli the national title and also a pass for the European Championships was played against her friend and rival Gaia Traditi, from Rome.
At one point Gaia slips and hurts her ankle. The first to help her is Emilia, then the doctors arrive. There are 17 seconds left in the match and Gaia is ahead 12-9 in the score. The blow is painful, Gaia is already in tears when she takes off her mask and receives first aid.
They put her back on her feet, but obviously she is not able to defend herself: she barely stands up. At that point Emilia decides in a moment to give up shooting, moves away from the opponent and lets the time pass, scoring the most winning of defeats. "I made this decision in agreement with my coach", says Emilia, "it was the right thing to do, I would do it a thousand more times".
Afterwards, tears flow with emotion, because Gaia is the first to understand the greatness of the gesture of fair play of the sporting rival: "Today this girl taught me that friendship is worth more than a victory". Not only to you, Gaia, not only to you.

I have to admit that this article (just like the TV news last night) brought tears to my eyes and a renewed sense of hope. 

BlinkNow

 As I was searching for something good to share, I came upon an article written at the beginning of the COVID pandemic last year, 2020. One click led to another, and another, and... I ended up on the BlinkNow webpage. Below is the beginning of their story, taken directly from their website:

OUR   STORY

Our journey starts on a dry riverbed in the foothills of the Himalayas, where one young woman decided to help one young girl, hoping to make one small difference. In the blink of an eye – and with a lot of hard work from a lot of people – that hope turned into a home, a school, and a community dedicated to building a world where children are safe, educated, and loved.

To read the rest of their story and the changes they are bringing about, please click on BlinkNow. The work they are doing is incredible. We can help their work in various ways, and we don't have to leave home either.

If, however, this is not your cup of tea, look around you and find ways to touch the lives of those in your vicinity: hold a door, smile to a stranger, sincerely compliment a friend or coworker, help carry/load groceries. The possibilities are endless. Yes, some people may look at you in disbelief and, perhaps, concerned that you might have ulterior motives. Do good anyway. You never know the ripple effect a random act of kindness might have.

From CNN/MSN

Today's positive news comes from CNN posted on MSN.

This news is about a high school senior who is planning to donate the money he saved up for college to another high school senior.

You may wonder why he wants to give away his money...
The reason behind his decision is a full ride scholarship to the college of his choice. He has the first year covered and, if he qualifies, he will be receiving this scholarship the following three years. 
With the price of college these days, this is a very sweet deal.

Kudos to him for earning the scholarship and double kudos for deciding to turn his savings over to another student. 

You can read more about this student on the MSN page. 

Alena Analeigh

You might ask, "Who is Alena Analeigh?"

Alena is a wonderful 12 year old girl from Texas who just graduated from high school. Yes, you read that correctly: she graduated from high school at 12 years of age. She is planning to attend online classes at the Arizona State University with the goal of achieving a double major in chemistry and a branch of space science. 

                                                          This picture is from her FB page

Since she was a little girl, she dreamed of working for NASA as an engineer. NASA has already contacted her, although no details are available at this time, and Alena is hoping to be working for them, once she has graduated from college at age 16. 

What makes her so special is not only marked by how smart she is but also by, among other things, how she unselfishly thinks of others. She has "launched the Brown Stem Girl website to encourage other girls with similar interests to focus on fields from which they’d been historically excluded." (from Good News Network) 

I invite you to click on the Good News Network link and read more about her. 

She truly is an amazing and inspiring young woman and I can't wait to see where life will take her.

If you do a Google search for her, you will see that she has Facebook and Instagram accounts, YouTube videos, and other articles covering her story. You will not regret learning more about Alena Analeigh and being inspired by her actions and feats!

The Power of Yet

 I would like to think of  "The Power of Yet" as the good news for today.

I know I have been silent for quite a few years. Teaching full time (versus being a paraprofessional) has surely taken up all my spare time. However, this hiatus has not been in vain. For example, one of the things I have learned about is "The Power of Yet!"

What is the power of yet? It is a great way to turn a negative thought into a positive statement.
Let me demonstrate!

I love bread. I really do.... however, I am a terrible bread baker. I am capable of burning even the frozen rolls that you buy at the store and all they need is cook time in the oven. 

Picture taken from Being Ron

Now, I can say "I cannot bake bread" and feel miserable about it OR I can say "I cannot bake bread, yet!"

What is the difference?
The first statement is a negative one. Who wants to keep on trying after this kind of thinking?
The second statement is a positive one as I am just reminding myself that I can learn and I can become a good bread baker. I am just showing kindness towards myself and allowing myself time to learn. 

This power of yet can be applied not just on ourselves, but also for those around us: "he/she does not (fill in the blank), yet!

Such a short word with such a powerful impact. It can help us be more patient with ourselves and others. It teaches us to keep on trying as the time will come that we will succeed. It is a word that gives hope, looks into the future, and encourages us to endure. 

I believe that allowing the word "yet" in our lives is awesome news. What do you think?

Picture taken from SCAS Connections