Bad things happen. Regardless of the number birthdays, holidays, kind acts and feel-good stories of giving, bad things still happen. And in well-connected, media driven society, we hear about the bad stuff a lot more than we do the good.
The thing about this world is that I believe it has made a great deal of us cynical, skeptical and even fearful. I remember (as a little girl) when hitchhiking was not only legal, it was a way of life for some. If someone needed a ride, you stopped and picked them up. Maybe they'd spot you a few bucks for gas, maybe it was just your good deed for they day. Enough reports of lunatics on the side of the road with a shiv and meth pumping through their veins and we lock our cars doors as soon as we get in, never so much as making eye contact with the guy standing on the street corner now.
I recognize the need for safety and taking wise precautions. We certainly need to be aware of our surroundings and listen to that little voice that lets us know when things feel unsafe. However, (call me crazy) but we CAN NOT let a few (and I mean a very small few) number of disturbed individuals steer us off course. What I mean is after you've seen a hundred news reports and read 75 articles about the same horrific event, you can't just decide that this is a terrible world filled with people you can't trust. We can't run into our homes, pull down the shades, lock all the doors and resign to solely order movies on Netflix. In fact, I absolutely believe with every ounce of my being that we should do the complete opposite.
The mission behind The Birthday Project is to shake people out of their busy, daily lives and remind them to look around and to see how many ways they can make a difference. Yes, it starts with your birthday but I've yet to meet a single person who hasn't been affected the other 364 days of the year. We slow down a little, we look people in the eyes, we smile at strangers, we chat with people we don't know, we offer the gift of ourselves and we restore faith in our fellow man and woman. Instead of feeling helpless about the things that sadden us in this world, we find ways to help, to lend a hand, to offer a hug or a sympathetic ear and make it a better place.
Tragedy, pain, sorrow...those are all opportunities for triumph, healing and joy. Reports of crisis are just doors of opportunity. This world is not going to hell in a hand basket because we aren't going to let that happen. You either decide that's a completely unrealistic, pie-in-the-sky mentality or you agree and do something to make sure it happens. Whether you live in a major metropolis or a tiny country town. Whether you are financially secure or pinching pennies. Whether you are retired or in elementary school. We each do what we can...maybe even more than we think we can...to remind ourselves and each other that the bad guys don't get to win.
If you are interested in helping in the aftermath of the Aurora, CO theater shooting tragedy, here are a few ideas:
Send cards with notes of encouragement, gift cards, children's artwork, flowers, or any other form of support for victims and/or appreciation for first responders & medical personnel to:
The thing about this world is that I believe it has made a great deal of us cynical, skeptical and even fearful. I remember (as a little girl) when hitchhiking was not only legal, it was a way of life for some. If someone needed a ride, you stopped and picked them up. Maybe they'd spot you a few bucks for gas, maybe it was just your good deed for they day. Enough reports of lunatics on the side of the road with a shiv and meth pumping through their veins and we lock our cars doors as soon as we get in, never so much as making eye contact with the guy standing on the street corner now.
I recognize the need for safety and taking wise precautions. We certainly need to be aware of our surroundings and listen to that little voice that lets us know when things feel unsafe. However, (call me crazy) but we CAN NOT let a few (and I mean a very small few) number of disturbed individuals steer us off course. What I mean is after you've seen a hundred news reports and read 75 articles about the same horrific event, you can't just decide that this is a terrible world filled with people you can't trust. We can't run into our homes, pull down the shades, lock all the doors and resign to solely order movies on Netflix. In fact, I absolutely believe with every ounce of my being that we should do the complete opposite.
The mission behind The Birthday Project is to shake people out of their busy, daily lives and remind them to look around and to see how many ways they can make a difference. Yes, it starts with your birthday but I've yet to meet a single person who hasn't been affected the other 364 days of the year. We slow down a little, we look people in the eyes, we smile at strangers, we chat with people we don't know, we offer the gift of ourselves and we restore faith in our fellow man and woman. Instead of feeling helpless about the things that sadden us in this world, we find ways to help, to lend a hand, to offer a hug or a sympathetic ear and make it a better place.
Tragedy, pain, sorrow...those are all opportunities for triumph, healing and joy. Reports of crisis are just doors of opportunity. This world is not going to hell in a hand basket because we aren't going to let that happen. You either decide that's a completely unrealistic, pie-in-the-sky mentality or you agree and do something to make sure it happens. Whether you live in a major metropolis or a tiny country town. Whether you are financially secure or pinching pennies. Whether you are retired or in elementary school. We each do what we can...maybe even more than we think we can...to remind ourselves and each other that the bad guys don't get to win.
If you are interested in helping in the aftermath of the Aurora, CO theater shooting tragedy, here are a few ideas:
Send cards with notes of encouragement, gift cards, children's artwork, flowers, or any other form of support for victims and/or appreciation for first responders & medical personnel to:
| Century Aurora 16 Theaters 14300 E. Alameda Ave. Aurora, CO 80012 Swedish Medical Center 501 East Hampden Avenue Englewood, CO 80113 Gateway High School 1300 South Sable Boulevard Aurora, CO 80012 Aurora Fire Department 15151 E. Alameda Parkway Aurora, CO 80012 | Children's Hospital Colorado 13123 East 16th Avenue Aurora, CO 80045 University of Colorado Hospital 1635 Aurora Court Aurora, CO 80045 Aurora Police Department 15001 E Alameda Parkway Aurora, CO 80112 Aurora Emergency Management 15151 E. Alameda Parkway Aurora, CO 80111 |
I will post more ideas as opportunities become available. Until then feel free to add your own in the comment section. Remember, there is nothing "random" about kindness. BE INTENTIONAL.
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