Look for the helpers

September 2017 - Mindful Moments
 
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Look for the Helpers
 
“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.”
― Mr Fred Rogers
 
It’s back to school time again and as many of us are facing the challenges of heading back into the storm of school time others in America and across the world are dealing with storms from Mother Nature. This quote from Mr Rogers is always my favorite during times of change or crisis. Whether it is at school dealing with bullying a new kid or in the middle of 15 feet of flooded water, the helpers arrive.
 
The helpers might not look like what we think they will look like. They might not wear super hero capes. (Although I personally love the Coast Guard’s uniforms ;)  They might not be people we would ever talk to at any other time in our lives. They might be people we used to think were mean or people we didn’t like. We never know who the helpers are or when they will show up. But during times of hurt, of pain, of loss, of crisis, the helpers show their faces and their hearts.
 
We have a choice if we wish to be a helper. So often we believe helping means big amazing things, because that’s what makes it on the news, right? But every day there are helpers.
 
The man who helped open the door for me at the store today was a helper. The grandmother watching her grandkids so the parents can work is a helper. The child who goes and sits next to another child at the empty lunch table is a helper. Each of these moments is important. Each moment counts. Each moment ripples.
 
I remember in high school hearing an urban legend about a teen who was contemplating taking his own life. On the way home from school a woman walked past him, looked him in the eye, and smiled. He is reported to have said that that one smile changed his mind. He did not take his own life. His faith in humanity restored because one person saw him. True or not, I know there have been people in my life who have smiled at me, even during times when I was contemplating taking my own life. They smiled. They saw me. They changed my life. I am alive today because of them.
 
Do not discount the small help you give people each and every day. The love you give to your family helps. The patience you show your children, even the compassion you can give yourself as we enter this time of transition and intense emotions does help!
 
We are all helpers. We are all in need of help. It’s a give and take every day. Sometimes it just needs to take a drastic storm to make us realize it, but every day there are helpers.
 
Thanks for all you do for your children, your family, and the world. It does matter. You do matter. And it does help!!
 
And if you feel compelled to help those in Houston and across the state of Texas I have been honored to be a part of the Hug Alliance formed from heart centered businesses. We have been contacted from teachers needing help for Houston with books, supplies, and necessitates for families affected. The info is below.
 
With love and HUGS! ~Jeannine
 
Help for Houston
I have been asked through the Hug Alliance Mindfulness Mothers is proud to be a part of for some Help for Houston schools, teachers, kids, and families with necessities and teddy bears. If you feel inspired to help, please do so!
 
They have started a fundraiser organization called TX STRONG through our partners at Give More Hugs. Feel free to encourage your kids or their school to adopt a Houston school, whatever you want to do. We are all in this together and the little gifts do matter. #hugitforward #HugsforHouston
 
www.givemorehugs.org/tx-strong
 
 
If you can help, please do! Houston teachers have reached out to the Hug Consortium (of which Mindfulness Mothers is proud to be a part of) to help.
 
You can do so here: www.givemorehugs.org/tx-strong
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