Editorial: A message of belief; a message of love and hope
This editorial is adapted from one first published on Dec. 5, 2015.
There is, as plenty of evidence confirms, a darker side of human nature afflicted by hatred, anger and intolerance. We see this played out all too often around the globe with no good end, only suffering.
But there is a brighter side of human nature, too - a giving, loving, selfless side that looks to enhance rather than destroy, a side that inspires hope rather than despair.
Today, let us celebrate the people all around us who open their hearts to give to those in need, to lift up those facing difficulties, to comfort those who need strength.
This spirit of generosity is not just a matter of charity, although certainly that's important and part of the essence of who we are.
But it's represented in the worthwhile work so many people do - the educators who change lives, the doctors and nurses who save and extend them, all those who serve and protect and enhance, those who visit the sick and infirm and reassure the lonely and brokenhearted.
It is represented in all the many people who try in their daily lives and professions to make their communities and the world a little bit better place.
Let us recall the story of Carolyn Gable, founder of the Expect a Miracle Foundation and the benefactor who originated The Believe Project in the Daily Herald six years ago.
The Believe Project is about belief in a better tomorrow, about faith that even in difficult times, things can turn out all right.
Each day in December, with Gable's seed money, someone with a compelling story of need is sent $100 to help another. That may not be enough to change lives, but it is enough to brighten them.
The response was so overwhelming that first year that through Gable's generosity, we repeated a second year, and then another and then another.
It started as a simple idea about the good that can be done with relatively small gestures and unleashed such a broad outpouring of love and community response in the process that it's impossible not to be inspired by it all.
"I think life is all about hope," Gable says.
Such a powerful observation, so eloquently stated.
Such is the power of giving.
Through Gable's generosity, we'll be kicking off the sixth Believe Project season on Dec. 1. To tell us who you think would be helped by $100, visit https://events.dailyherald.com/believe.
There is, as plenty of evidence confirms, a darker side of human nature afflicted by hatred, anger and intolerance.
Let us not succumb to it.
Let our message be one of love and hope.