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Where are the hopeful headlines? 

7/16/2016

5 Comments

 
by Gwendolyn M Plano
PicturePhoto: Daily Detroit
We begin and end our day with horror stories from around the world. We cannot escape the apocalyptic messages of destruction on social media or newspapers. If you are like me, you  struggle to make sense of a world gone awry.

My desk is cluttered with notes, but against its back wall are photos of people who have lived well and in doing so, have made a difference in the lives of others. When I despair, these inspirational folks remind me of all that is possible, and all that is good in life. Recently, I added another to my hall of fame: Shu Harris.

A few years ago, Shamayim “Shu” Harris lost her two-year-old son to a hit and run driver in a blighted area of Detroit. As she mourned, a dream emerged – of what she could do for other children.

​Against all odds, she decided to transform her neighborhood into a self-sustaining community.
 
“We need to stop blaming and just get things done,” she said. “At some point people must get the power within themselves to do things for themselves and their families.”
​
If you read about Shu's project, I think you'll find her vision contagious. As the story spreads, foundations and individual donors have stepped in to help her realize her dream. The unfolding results are nothing short of miraculous.
​
One person and a dream…

I listen less and less to political pundits, to their promises and their blame. I'd rather follow the trails of hope that people like Shu are creating. If you google her, you'll find pages of links about her and what she is doing. Clearly, I'm not the only one inspired. As you explore, you may also notice an online paper HopefuHeadlines.org. ​It's become a regular read for me........


5 Comments
Jan Sikes link
7/18/2016 06:47:28

I am in total agreement with you, Gwen. It takes only one person at a time with a dream for betterment and eventually, it can spread pushing out negativity and evil. Love ALWAYS wins! Great post!

Reply
Gwen Plano
7/19/2016 12:17:58

Thank you, Jan. We all need reminders of hope, and your life story is a testimony of the power of Love. Thank you......

Reply
John Fioravanti link
7/19/2016 08:13:03

I always feel uplifted when I visit your lovely site, Gwen. Unfortunately, in democratic countries like ours, people sit back, complain, blame, and then do nothing. Politicians know that the complaints will go away and be not remembered at election time. Politicians get blamed. I disagree, and your story here underlines that fact!

Reply
Gwen Plano
7/19/2016 12:21:14

Thank you, John. You are right; we all shoulder the responsibility for change. What a different world we would have if there were more of us like Ms. Harris. Thank you again...

Reply
Yvette M Calleiro link
7/22/2016 08:12:07

I agree with you completely. I am physically tired of all of the negativity in the world. I am a bit of an empath and have yet to learn how to block the energies around me, so I do my best to avoid the negativity spewing all over social media. It isn't easy, but I try. One of my strategies is to surround myself with positive thoughts, stories, and actions. So, thank you for sharing this. You added more happiness to my scale today. :-)

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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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