The light of gratitude
In a world full of challenges, it can be tough to remember the importance of gratitude. But it can be a meaningful force for good in our lives.
Brilliant fall foliage on the Woodstock Village Green last weekend. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
In a world full of challenges, it can be tough to remember the importance of gratitude. But it can be a meaningful force for good in our lives.
Overall, gratitude can throw some much-needed light into our day, providing a foundation for hope — a quality so important these days. In many ways, being grateful goes against the grain now. The noise out there in the world — whether through the news, social media, or shared opinion — can leave us feeling trapped by negative elements. However, gratitude is a good way to rise above them, build positive energy, and cultivate the hope that you can help make the world better.
I often try to remember that, even on the hardest days, there's something positive going on in the world — somewhere. Similarly, there's always something to be grateful for, whether it's family, friends, or a project in the community that’s benefiting others. Sometimes, we have to dig a little bit to notice these things, but it’s a worthy effort that always leaves us in a better place.
When we find and express gratitude, it not only helps ourselves, but others around us as well. That positive energy ripples out and touches them, like the far-reaching effect of one little stone being cast into a pond. Just imagine the positive impact this could have, with so many of us lifting up the goodness in life each day, together. It’s a force for good we can all help build, starting right now.
— Gareth Henderson
Life-changing compassion
A story about someone helping somebody else might give us a little hope, like a ray of light.
Fall foliage glimmers in the sunlight at Faulkner Park in Woodstock, Vermont, on Sunday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Amid a news cycle like the current one, it's easy to lose heart and feel like many situations are hopeless. However, that's when a story about someone helping somebody else might give us a little hope, like a ray of light.
Today we're looking at a story from CNN, about a woman in a dilapidated home who got some unexpected help from her community in Woburn, Massachusetts. It all started when electrician John Kinney saw the state of Gloria Scott’s home during a job there, and felt compassion toward her. There were various issues, including no proper running water, a broken sink and damage from prior plumbing issues — all of which she couldn't afford to fix, CNN reported.
After he finished his work, Kinney couldn't just disappear — he had to do something. And he sure did. He and a few friends got to work on the house for free, but to pay for the major repairs, Kinney set up an online fundraiser which eventually came up with over $100,000 for Scott. Along with that, volunteers donated some supplies, and restaurants sent over meals. It was a life-changer for the 72-year-old, who had lived by herself for over 10 years, the CNN report said.
"She's so happy, she's got all types of new friends," Kinney told CNN. "She's out here making lunch for us, laughing, joking. It's just a miracle to witness."
Even in the toughest of times, there are still good people doing great things for others. As in this case, some of the most beautiful deeds are done without an initial plan in mind, but are spontaneous acts of kindness that lead to inspiring results. Every story of compassion can inspire the best in each of us, showing that anyone can make a difference by helping somebody else. That’s an encouraging sentiment to take into the new week.
— Gareth Henderson
A bit of good news
It’s always a plus to start your week with some good news, and a story of someone pursuing their dream certainly fits the bill.
It’s always a plus to start your week with some good news, and a story of someone pursuing their dream certainly fits the bill.
It was uplifting to hear about Clayton Ward, a bus driver so inspired by the kids he was driving that he is pursuing a teaching career. He’s looking to teach history — a passion of his — at the high school level and is heading back to school himself to chase that dream. He hopes to be teaching in a classroom sometime in the next five to six years, Ward tells Good Morning America. He encouraged people not to give up on their dream.
“Whatever it is, just go and chase it,” he says.
This story was a welcome break from the regular news cycle and its barrage of heavy topics. One has to be in the know as a journalist, but there truly are a lot of good things happening out there. That is true in Vermont, in New England, and well beyond the region.
One of the best things about being a journalist is having the opportunities to share uplifting news, and share it widely. We just have to keep our eyes peeled, and our ears to the ground. There’s plenty of goodness to go around, and it’s there to inspire each of us to be a force for good in the world. That’s the most natural thing we do.
— Gareth Henderson