My TV viewing is very limited, but I happened to have the 2017 CNN Heroes show on while I was doing something else. I really needed to hear about people doing good for others out of love and caring. People of all ages, people with widely different backgrounds, and people who saw a need, were highlighted by CNN for making a very big difference in the world. They all started from where they were. They made a difference. Their motivation was compassion, or personal experience. Remembering a painful childhood motivated one person to find a way to change childhood for many kids who faced what he had faced.
The school boy from Tanzania who made creative puppets to cheer children fighting cancer has impacted people around the world. Not only with his puppets, but by raising enough money to send affected families on cruises around the world … all by using a sewing machine in his bedroom.
The policewomen who took an empty room and made it into a safe place after school for children surrounded by violence. There was an Iraqi vet looking for relief from mental pain after returning home from war. He found his only relief when he was on a surfboard. Not only did he help himself, he showed other veterans how to surf and feel relief as well.
Purpose
Most people I know want their life to have purpose. I know I do. It is easy to think it is far away or abstract … maybe even not attainable. To see people finding purpose that was right in front of them, and changing the world, says almost anyone can have purpose. Most started small, and it grew, which is great. The truth is that meaningful purpose does not need to win a CNN Hero award. Impacting even one other life is meaningful. Some simple acts can improve the lives of those you work with … particularly when done from a place of caring and compassion. We all spend a lot of time at work. Most of us would like it to be a kinder place. Maybe a few more people can take on compassion at work as their mission in 2018. The videos made me think that it’s possible.
The CNN stories helped me move to better spirits for the holidays and increased my optimism for 2018. I hope you find time to watch some of the stories, and that it will improve your HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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