Look for the HELPERS
It’s no question that the world has become scary over the past few days. More so than say 2019. 😊 Our family in particular has dealt with quite a few emotions with the fall of the Afghanistan government, just months after my brave husband was over there, HELPING people heal, no matter the side. Now we see more unrest, more division, more scary things, more unknowns. If there is one thing that has been a constant in how we have approached the past 2 years, it has been to look for the good, the HELPERS and to try and be one ourselves.
But as HELPERS yourselves, you angels on earth, the task at times can feel insurmountable. It can feel like a losing uphill battle. So this week, when I was struggling with the news, the negativity, the pessimist stagnation of our human experience (yes, I am a geriatric millennial); I wanted to share stories of the good, the HELPERS.
I wanted to show you, amazing charity workers + nonprofit champions, that humans are stepping up and making a difference. It might feel impossible right now but look at the small bits that will overwhelm the world. Take heart. See the GOOD. Look at the HELPERS.
BBC - Getty Images
A soldier serves soup to a Ukrainian woman in the building of the main railway station of Przemysl which has been turned into a temporary reception centre for refugees
With placards and tears, Poles are greeting refugees like family
By Mishal Husain
“Refugees from across Ukraine are being welcomed as they arrive in the Polish border town of Przemysl, but there are concerns about how the relief effort can be maintained if the war goes on.
In the main ticket hall people who have travelled long distances are holding up bits of paper and cardboard with scribbled signs: "Hostel for eight in Gdansk"; "Can take a family - Warsaw"; "40 places available on bus to Germany". Przemysl is an obvious focal point because it's on the main line across the border, with trains coming in from Lviv, in the west of Ukraine. They are listed on the arrivals board but there's no certainty any more about the timetable.
It's been striking for me to see how emotional many Poles are about the situation in Ukraine. There were tears in Pawel's eyes as he spoke about why he and Madga were prepared to stand in the station for so many hours, ready to take not only Lyudmila but others who might arrive with her. He is not the only one to have reacted that way: several people I met here broke down when I asked why they were moved to open their homes or help in other ways.
There are long links of history that straddle today's border between the two countries and familial and linguistic links too, but Poles also feel strongly because they can imagine how it feels to be up against the Russians. It is only just over 30 years since the collapse of communism here and there are longer memories too of Soviet occupation. And not everyone has confidence that being under the Nato umbrella, as Poland is, is sufficient protection from Vladimir Putin.”
BBC
Karol Swiacki launched Help from Bournemouth to Ukraine shortly after Russian troops started their invasion
Bournemouth volunteers 'overwhelmed' by Ukraine donations
The man behind a group helping Ukrainian refugees says the support they have received from people has been "overwhelming".
Karol Swiacki launched Help from Bournemouth to Ukraine last month to send supplies to Poland and Ukraine.
The group has more than 100 volunteers and Mr Swiacki says they have been "blown away" by donations.
He has since set up a fundraising page to continue supporting those fleeing Ukraine after the Russian invasion.
Help from Bournemouth to Ukraine is using warehouses across Dorset at Castlepoint, Hurn Airport and Poole.
Mr Swiacki said: "I'm getting direct requests for urgent aid. We're speaking to a children's home at the moment who need lots of bottles, formula and blankets and that's where we can help."
Pussy Riot founder heralds huge anti-war movement in Russia: ‘Much bigger than you can see’
Pussy Riot founding member Nadya Tolokonnikova tells CNN's Jake Tapper that the mass protests in Russia show that "a lot of Russians are actually against the war."
Thousands of brave Russians are against the war and are willing to face the severe consequences of 15 years of jail time to protest and stand up for their neighbors in Ukraine.
NOW, the news is only reporting now on how many have been detained or jailed but that is not positive, let’s focus on the bravery + the HELPERS. I like to tell my kids, even when the news + politicians tell us we have enemies, the reality is we actually have more in common with that countrie’s moms, dads + kids than we have differences over a conflict. Humans are beautiful, loving, caring - beings. We want to unite + stand up for justice. Our passion unites us. Sometimes the nuance, the translation gets impassioned + emboldened too which isn’t good… but at the core, HUMANS ARE HELPERS.
AND… my favorite giggle…
humans being humans
+ seeing each other
Ukrainian Man Offers Tow
This is a video of a man offering a tow back to Russia to a stranded tank convoy of Russian Solders. The man gets them to laugh and engage with him while they all remark about how absurd this whole thing is. This video is provided by The Independent on YouTube, however, the BBC, my favorite news source, has a compilation with some more less positive videos. Feel free to find it there as well but I wanted to keep this post about the HELPERS and this man HELPED everyone laugh even the Russians. He won the year!
Do you all have any good HELPER moments you want to share that can help lighten all our hearts? Share them below. Please note this is not to be political, one side or the other but rather share the positive human things happening to counteract the negative. There are plenty of other places to enjoy your banter, political intellect or perspective? I might even join you THERE. But here, it’s all about the GOOD things and the HELPERS.
