Dear Reader:

The more we hear of inexplicable acts of terrorism the more we wonder what possibly could have happened (in many cases in a perpetrator’s young life) to make someone succumb to such senseless acts violence.

We keep seeing the same pattern over and over…the perpetrator is classified as ‘mentally ill’ or a non-conformist, a loner, or a ‘lost soul.’ Outside of physical problems…this leaves a wide open vacuum of causes that no one seems to be able to quite figure out.

The other day in Bob and Fran German’s book (101 Ways to Be Young At Any Age) they talked about the “invisible” people in society and how they are treated…or basically ignored by the mainstream too often.

The more I thought about it…the more each of the faces we have seen on the news or in the papers recently…had, also, been “invisible” for too long…and by committing a heinous act against society their face was finally visible…for the wrong reason.

In their article… Bob and Fran talk about how important it is that we recognize all the “invisible” people who do the “invisible” jobs that people ignore or take for granted. We need to promote recognition and kindness as a way of thanking people with jobs that too often go unrecognized or unappreciated.

“You can make someone’s day and enrich your own, by doing small but meaningful acts of kindness to people you encounter who seem to be invisible to most.

A smile and friendly ‘hello’ to food servers, store clerks, grocery baggers, delivery men and women and other usually unnoticed fellow humans can make a big impact.”

It is important to “humanize” everyone in our society regardless of social, financial, or job status. If not…it is far too easy for these individuals to begin to regard themselves as worthless and unnecessary…ending their low self-esteem  in self-destruction and/or taking out their non-acceptance status on a society they have come to resent and hate.

Everyone wants to be accepted, everyone wants love. The complexities of terrorism in today’s world is just that…complex. Still, basically love is stronger than hate and recognizing “invisible” people goes a long way to our taught acceptance of all God’s children.

I think how fortunate I am to have been born into a loving, supportive family, and been blessed to have wonderful friends. This past week, shared with the Ya’s, has just reminded me how blessed I really am.

Before situations get to the point where they make the nightly news…we can all start simply, daily… giving compliments, greetings, and thank you’s to the “invisible”  people around us who need this recognition to help them value themselves as a productive and necessary part of the world in which they live.

So until tomorrow…Thank you Father for friends and family and open our eyes to our ‘brothers and sisters’ who might not have the same support system we do. Let us be there for them and recognize them for who they are….one of Your children…just like ourselves.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

“Big Red” will welcome me home with blooms galore and a happy smile!