By this time, I'm sure everyone has heard of the horrors happening overseas in Paris and Beirut. Hundreds of people were killed and injured in the bombings in both cities. The world came together to pray for.... Paris. Paris was headlined all over the news for hours. Facebook had the option for temporary profile pictures with the French flag. The hashtag #PrayforParis trended everywhere within minutes.
Amid all of the Paris distress, everyone, including the media, seemed to forget about Beirut. All of a sudden people were pushing the two tragedies together trying to claim one was more "important" than the other. All over social media, people were bashing each other for their posts on either city. Yes, we are all praying for both cities, as well as the other places around the world that faced other tragedies.
While the world focuses on the negatives of everything that happened, in order to bring hope to the world, we need to look at the good. Now, don't take that as there was anything good in what happened. However, the world seemed to come together the night of November 13, 2015. While the Eiffel Tower went black in remembrance of those who lost their lives, all over the world buildings lit up with France's colors.
Anymore, the "norm" when something horrible happens is to say that you are "losing faith in humanity." How about instead of focusing on the negatives we try to restore our faith in humanity? Look past the horrors the media only wants you to see and focus instead on the people in the back rushing in to help. Police, firefighters and even everyday citizens risking their safety to make sure the others around them are safe.
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
This quote was said by the one and only Mr. Fred Rodgers. Mr. Rodgers was one of the first people (besides our parents) who wanted us all to be neighbors. To treat others with respect. Mr. Rodgers' mother was completely on point with her comment.
We need to look for the helpers in any situation, whether it be a terrorist attack or a natural disaster. There are always those who are selflessly giving of themselves and proving to the world that just one person can restore your faith in humanity.
While we would all love to hope and pray that there would be no more terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or accidents, we know that they will happen sooner or later. So while the media tries to only show you what they want you to see, look past everything and find those proving there are still people in the world who care about others and will restore your faith in humanity.
