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Alpa Phi Alpa, an historically Black fraternity in Howard County Maryland, recently celebrated ten years of helping young African-American males achieve academic excellence. In the process dropout and teen pregnancy rates have decreased, while pride and self-esteem among the Alpha Achievers increased. How wonderful to hear about a group of dedicated men making a huge dent in what seems like a gorgantuan problem! Now that’s something to stomp about!
Many of the problems in this world seem overwhelming- poverty, disease, war. The scale of these issues can leave those wanting to make a difference feeling powerless. You wonder, “What can I do with the little bit I have to give?” And so sometimes we do nothing. We give up in frustration, even despair. In my new book Be Encouraged there is an essay called Planting Seeds. Small acts can lead to great things. Even a small seed can bear fruit that fills up empty lives and make a huge difference.
One woman did not let what little she had to give stop her from thinking big. Sonia Waters could not simply walk away from the needs of a tiny African village. When you think you’re too small to make a dent in a huge problem just remember- have the faith of a mustard seed!
“When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.”
–Abraham Joshua Heschel
Sunday January 21st is National Hug Day. I hope you celebrated by sharing lots of hugs yesterday! If not you still have time. In fact, everyday is a good day to show affection to the important people in your life. You never know, one small gesture could bring sunlight to what was otherwise a cloudy day for another person.
January 27th is National Compliment Day. Show appreciation by telling someone just how special they are this coming Saturday. We all need to hear a compliment. Regular doses help build the self-esteem of children and brighten the day of adults. Aside from just being a nice and kind thing to do, paying compliments is healthy for the giver and the reciever. Scientific research shows being kind has measurable physical and mental health benefits. Allen Luks documented the findings of one such study he conducted in his 1991 book The Healing Power of Doing Good: The Health and Spiritual Benefits.
Read about how acts of kindness were put into action across the country
This week all around the country people are honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream. Even more folks aren’t just talking the talk, they are walking the walk. I found stories that are just two examples of people who are putting King’s dream in action on a daily basis. Here’s the really fantastic news- they are just one of thousands, maybe millions all around the world determined to be working dreamers. So when you feel down about the world after listening to the news- Be Encouraged! There are good people everywhere holding back the night in their own way by letting their little lights shine like beacons.
He Never Let Go
January 30, 2007 in Commentary | Leave a comment
There comes a time in all our lives when we’re at the end of our rope. We feel so hopeless that we don’t have the energy to tie a knot and hang on. Even when we’re going through a rough spot we can help somebody else. The tendency at those times is to turn inward, to focus on your own sorrows and bad breaks. Some even become selfish thinking, “Nobody helped me so I’m looking after me, myself and I. Don’t ask me for nothin’!” This happens especially when you have been hurt or disappointed by those you thought would be there for you. Even more reason to resist this particular temptation. As my pastor said in a sermon your experience may be God’s way of preparing you to bless someone else. Don’t let your own troubles blind you to the opportunities to help someone else. Hard as it might be, don’t withdraw into bitterness, cutting yourself off from those around you. Reach out. You might even save a life. Read the story below and think about this, a man forgot his own circumstances and didn’t let go.
Hold On!
Here is a wonderful article on reaching our full potential as human beings: Understanding