What should I do? How can I help?
Uff, the news is tough now. When we hear about people being hurt and killed, there is a tremendous amount of sadness our communities share. When the lives of children and our vulnerable are ended or permanently damaged, we feel a loss that can’t be easily removed.
So what do we do? How can we help?
Did you notice how the questions changed from the first line? From I to we. Yes, first I take care of myself. Then we look beyond ourselves and care for our community.
There is no fixing what has already happened, but we can look around us and see who needs our support, our consideration, patience, time and a fair shake. Even as I write this, tears build from the losses in our beautiful nation.
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
--Soren Kierkegaard
Between backwards and forwards is now. Might I suggest we take the moment to pause. Breathe. Sincerely reflect on what has happened and consider what we’re going to do next. Let’s make conscious choices that will lead to a peaceful and beautiful place for all of us to live in safety.
Our library offers materials that give ideas on how to locate peace during chaos or at least be reminded of its existence. The library shares these materials with patrons in hopes that there is a bit of comfort found in them. There is not an easy journey through tough times, but a smile goes a long, long way. Here are a few suggestions to find at the library:
Kids
Can you Say Peace? by Karen Katz
Children around the world wish in many different languages for peace // Easy KATZ- When We Are Kind by Monique Gray Smith
How the simple act of being kind affects all aspects of a child's life // Easy GRAY SMITH - Peace by Wendy Anderson Halperin
How to promote world peace and find peace within oneself // Easy 172.42 HALPERIN - Wangari’s Trees of Peace by Jeanette Winter
How one woman’s passion, vision, and determination inspired great change // Easy 333.72 WINTER
Adults
Human(Kind) by Ashlee Eiland
How reclaiming human worth and embracing radical kindness will bring us back together // 241.4 EILAND- The Power of Kindness by Piero Ferrucci
The unexpected benefits of leading a compassionate life // 177.7 FERRUCCI - Wild Communion by Ruth Baetz
Experiencing peace in nature // 155.91 BAETZ - A Walk Around the Block by Spike Carlsen
Explore the ordinary things we take for granted in our everyday life // 031.02 CARLSEN - World of Wonders by Aimee Nexhukumatathil
In praise of fireflies, whale sharks, and other astonishments // 590 NEZHUKUMATATHIL
Even a painting!
We can all be strong at times and have other times when a shoulder is needed. I have confidence in our community to offer that shoulder when needed. If each of us finds and offers a tiny bit of peace each day, our actions will help guide our elected officials, school administrators and employers to focus on keeping our communities safe.