A wise man once said, that even in the darkest of times there is light and hope. Regrettably, it does feel as though the world around us is suffering from a great period of darkness. But still, there is light, hope and joy to be found in those we love, in little moments that bring comfort or happiness. To continue to stand up to and battle the shadows of life we must fuel ourselves with that happiness and remember to take time for self-care and reflection.
We hope you enjoy the stories we’ve chosen for you, this month. As always remember even the smallest act of kindness can change someone’s life and that you must take care of yourself in order to take care of others.
About Us
Standing with Ukraine: Family Reunited
Over the last several weeks we have all seen the horror and devastation that war has brought to citizens of that great nation of Ukraine. One of the many heartbreaking stories that that told time and time again is the separation of families fleeing violence. All too often parents are forced to send their children to safety while staying behind hoping to reunite with them in the future. Hassan, an 11-year-old Ukrainian boy traveled over 600 miles, by himself, to Slovakia to escape the Russian assault on his home. He was recently reunited with his mother and grandmother.
The courage shown by this young boy and his family is indescribable. If you would like to help Hassan and families like his consider donating to one of these charities.
Offering a Helping Hand
For those suffering from food insecurity, few things are more healing than a non-judgemental helping hand. As is true for all of us asking for help when you need it can be hard. Thankfully, organizations like Feeding America West Michigan are there to offer help to those in need with a caring smile.
If you are able to help, reach out to a local food pantry or charity and offer your time or make a donation. You can never know all the details of someone else’s story but you can help them get back on their feet.
Defying the Odds
Without question, one of the most joyous moments for any family is the birth of a new baby. All any parent wants is for their child to be happy and healthy. The Houghs were no different and when their son, Karson was boar at 36 weeks, their love for their son naturally bubbled over. For a few days after his birth, though, Karson was very sick to the point that the doctors told his family to prepare to say goodbye and planned to take him off life support. Thankfully for Karson, and his parents, he had more fight in him than the doctors thought. He was supposed to die within minutes of having his ventilator removed but defied the odds and started breathing on his own.
Every day Karson is recovering and getting stronger and it is certain that his parents and no one else will forget how he overcame such strong adversity with only days of life under his belt. May we all strive for that level of tenacity when life gets hard.
My Sister’s Closet
When you find yourself in the position of starting over, you have to back to basics and in instances of domestic violence or release from incarceration many women don’t have anything more than the clothes on their backs. That’s why Church Builder’s Bible Training Center is launching My Sister’s Closet. The program will provide a safe and private space for women in need to get clothes for court dates, interviews and other life events free of charge.
This month’s practical exercise is a bit different but I believe you will find it just as rewarding. Last month we set aside some time to enjoy and indulge in an activity just because. Now let’s explore what you did and why it made you happy.
We don’t often examine why the things that make us happy do because we focus on the pleasure of the moment. We do this because we were taught not to question our blessings, and just be thankful. This exercise is intended to help open your eyes to things you might enjoy be haven’t tried. When you know why you like something, you will have a better chance of finding other interests or hobbies that can bring you similar amounts of joy.
So think about how you spent your joy time, why did you do what you did? Did you share your time with someone else or was it me-time? Did you do different things each time or did you find yourself returning to the same spaces or activities? Is there something you’ve always wanted to try or learn that you finally did? Did you pick up a forgotten or neglected hobby?
There are no right or wrong answers, just take some time to explore what makes you happy and seek opportunities to expand those horizons.
Have a wonderful day,
Asja
Real Positive Vibes