One of the rainiest summers in history, gun violence in our cities at a record pace, innocent lives lost in numerous accidents related to I 65 construction and detours, racial tensions between law enforcement and citizens, and day after day of news of child molesters preying on innocent children. Just in this past week we have seen the death of a race car driver, a home invasion in Indy then a hit and run spree with 4 victims, stock market volatility, and a news crew gunned down on live television. In your own personal life you may also be dealing with stressors from work, an illness or injury, or relationships. It is easy to get discouraged with all these dark things around us.

I wish the news could get ratings with positive stories, in proper proportion. We see those things all around us too. A single parent raising their children with guidance and love, parents spending endless hours supporting their children’s activities, people caring for their aging parents, volunteers who serve others, or people who simply treat people with random acts of love and kindness every day. We see it in those who foster or adopt children, those who save pets from animal shelters, caring medical people who see us on our worst days, public servants who risk their lives to keep us safe, those who are involved with various recovery groups, or those who simply pray with those who are in need. I am very proud to know many people like this. These are the everyday heroes in life. Somehow the light these people bring into the world can get overshadowed in the day to day dark events of the world.

We cannot control all the events of this world, but we can control our perceptions and how we react to it. We also have a great deal of influence on the mood we pass on to our children and loved ones. It is very easy to fall into a trap of negativity, especially with all the events in the news. Choosing to be positive and thankful for the good does not mean we do not care about the bad. It does not mean we don’t grieve when bad things happen. It also does not mean we are passive and don’t take action and get involved to change things either in our personal lives or with greater causes. It does mean that we don’t take for granted all the good. If you are breathing and reading this, you have at least one thing to be thankful for today. That one thing may be that you can be the good in someone else’s life.

This is the 26^th week in a row that I have written this weekly blog. Just about every week now I wonder if I have run out of relevant topics that may help others. I have learned early in the week to be patient and listen. Every week something seems to emerge that has value in communicating and the words come. I write them, but often it feels like they come from somewhere else and I am just a conduit. I can’t explain it. I have always said that if this writing helps just one person, just one time, then I am flattered by it. But it is not about me. It is about doing something that serves someone greater than me. I am even thankful for all the brokenness in my life and how that has served as insight and raised awareness to help others. I am very blessed. I only hope I can bring a little light, so others can be too.