It's a start

I've always seen service to others as a given. It's something that we should all do and really the only thing I've ever known I've wanted to do. From a young age I exhibited characteristics of a caregiver, although my siblings I'm sure would sing a different tune. Some may say nurturer is a natural female trait, although I've worked with children for several years and I can tell you that young girls are often the toughest crowd.

I remember my senior year of high school having to put together a portfolio. This portfolio was supposed to highlight your successes throughout the four years spent in high school and outline how you plan on using those "skills" to pursue your future career. How anyone can think a teenager is 100% certain what career they want to pursue is mind boggling but, it was a requirement none the less. As is still true today I remember writing that I wasn't sure what I wanted to be when I grow up or what job I wanted to have but one thing was for sure, I promised to continue to serve others. The teacher I was presenting to paused and marveled at that. He told me that it was an amazing thing to have such clarity at a young age in such a pure mission.

After I graduated I kept my promise. I continued volunteering. I worked for organizations dedicated to serving the community. While I have valued each and every experience, I have begun to wonder whether any of it really makes a difference. If any of the time or energy any of these people put in really counts in the grand scheme of things. I began to work with cynicism. Rather than feeling optimistic and connected to the communities I was serving I began to feel jaded.

How was any of the genuine work of so many going to make a difference?

That's how I thought of this idea. Some times it can get very easy to focus on the negatives. It can be easy to see all of the things that are missing and lacking and wrong. I'm starting this project with the selfish hope that it will restore my faith in humanity and maybe, help us all to see more opportunities and ways to make the world we live in a better place.

This blog will honor those working, in their own way, to make our world better. I plan on posting at least one story a month sharing the goodness of others. I'll be keeping my eye out for moments of good and share them here, but I don't want to do this alone.

If you know someone doing something great (big or small) nominate them to be featured here! We should all be supporting and recognizing the positive work being done. I hope this blog reminds readers that community is about support and connection and allows us to savor the moments when everything aligns and we all have clarity enough to see that.