It is no understatement to say that 2020 has not been an easy year. It’s been a dark year for many of us. Where masking up, social distancing, sheltering in place were odd phrases in 2019 they’re the norm now. Emails are sent with “during these crazy times” and end with “stay safe.” There hasn’t been much to cheer about this holiday season.
We’ve seen an erosion of trust in our leaders. People we look to for inspiration to do the right thing, to LEAD. These failures in leadership have spanned across the across the political spectrum, across states, countries, and cities.
There have been many mistakes from these leaders, with few admitting fault. But none of that is in our control. We can't tell leaders how to act and behave, just as much as we can't control our neighbors actions. But what you can do is take control of your own actions, and that is where there is hope.
Where our leaders have failed. Where instead of doing what’s right they squabble and give way to tribalism. We have seen noble humans rise up. Here are some inspiring stories of people being noble in 2020.
- Jason Erdreich, a teacher in Madison, New Jersey, used his 3-D printer to turn his home into a PPE factory. He not only created the PPE’s he incorporated the work into his lesson plan for remote learning, teaching his students along the way.
- Restaurants, who as businesses have probably been hit the hardest throughout all of this still managed to help less fortunate. Like Lefty’s on Greenwood in Tulsa Oklahoma, who provided 200 free meals a day to anyone who needed one, no questions asked.
- Around the world people have shown their appreciation for the healthcare workers battling COVID on the front lines. Like this sanitation worker turned bartender.
- This East Nashville Tennessee Kroger gave a homeless woman who was sleeping in their parking lot a job. It only took her a month to get her first promotion.
- This 10 year old from Connecticut sent more than 1,500 art kits to kids in foster care and homeless shelters during the coronavirus pandemic
- This anonymous patron left a $9,400 tip at a Texas diner.
Everywhere you look, people are stepping up to the occasion. Good deeds are everywhere, it’s great to see.
We want to wish you all a Happy New Year.