Day Seven, Footnotes of Be the Difference

Its time, Actually, its beyond time. We need to step up and be the difference.

For years I would end my morning and evening status posts with the comment, ‘be the difference’.  I believe, that I need to go back to adding that comment. We need the reminder, that right now, more than ever, we need to be the difference.

For society. 

We need to step up and realize that there are those who need us and what we have to offer. Not just our money to those standing on the side of the road with their signs. They need our time. That we step out of our comfort zone and reach out to help where we are able. Be it in helping in shelters, soup kitchens, or any of the places set up to hand out supplies to those in need. Yes, it will need be done in a safe manner, but it still needs to be done.

People are in need. The suffering need to know they are not forgotten. It is winter, the temperature is dangerous for the homeless and those who for what ever reason are without heat. If we have extra outer wear that is in good condition, or if we have the means to purchase new, it is needed. I know, it would be appreciated.

 For those who are in hospitals, any facility for the elderly, those sheltering at home, who would appreciate a note or card that lets them know, they are not forgotten.

For those on the front lines. 

All of those responding first to emergencies. Whether they are fire fighters, police, paramedics, they need to know they are appreciated. 

To all of the health care workers who have spent extremely long hours helping patients no matter what has them in need.

 To all the teachers who are having to find and create new ways to teach.

For our children 

Who are struggling to adapt and adjust to the strangeness that has become some weird existence. Who are wanting desperately to be with friends and trying to understand why they can not at the moment return to what they had done so regularly before.

For our country 

Where ever we live, we need to come together to fight the battles around us. To find ways to return to better health. To assist each other. To build and strengthen. To correct wrongs and improve right.

For each other

 To be there, ready to encourage when needed, to listen, to share, to comfort. To show that no matter what, we are important to each other.

For our future. 

We cannot go on as we have and expect better. We cannot stand back and mouth, ‘not my circus, not my monkeys’ and expect everything to be okay. We have to take a stand on the side of right. On the side of compassion. On the side of peace. We have to understand that life has a dark side, but we don’t have to live there. We can reach out to the light and build. We can stand in the light and educate. We can share the light and love. We can, should we so choose, become the difference,  be the difference and create the difference. Our future, depends on that more than ever.