People are Good -- A New Year's Reflection

It seems that all we hear about are the evil, the bad and the corrupt these days.  We hear a great deal about greed and selfishness.  Even with friends, I find our 2009 conversations have been about frustration, wrong-doing, the downfall of our society, the incompetence of leadership, unjust war and inconsiderate colleagues or neighbors.  (BTW: Any colleagues or neighbors who read this, I don't mean YOU! Ha!)

But this holiday season has once again inspired me to believe in the goodness of the vast majority of mankind and to reflect on simple blessings.  Here are just a few:

1. Warming the tree:  In our church a hundred packages of warm clothes were wrapped and placed under our tree to be given to the needy, and this was multiplied in places of worship everywhere.
2. My 86 year-old mother was so genuinely up-beat and grateful that everyone is so kind and thoughtful.
3. Volunteers from Durham (and all over the country) still travel to Louisiana, stay in tents and help finish home restorations from Katrina.
4. Raleigh and Durham and Cary schools make great progress in teaching tolerance among races, creeds and students from all socio-economic backgrounds.
5. People get more cheer from giving than from receiving.
6. Helpfulness remains a cultural treasure in The United States.

Let us move into 2010 recognizing our true blessings, while rising to the immense challenges that face us all. 

Let us choose kindness. 

Let us choose thoughtfulness. 

Let us hope.

Let us choose to believe in the goodness of others.

Happy New Year