Shannon R. Brown

I awoke this morning to the horrific news out of Las Vegas. The act of one evil man has robbed at least 50 people of their lives, injured 500+ concert goers and impacted the lives of countless others. And that’s just the beginning of this story. We will know the true toll exacted by this man’s act of terror in the coming weeks and months.

Nowadays, it seems that every time I turn on the TV, there’s another reason to be upset. Politics, natural disasters, wars, threats of war, terror attacks. It never ends. And social media is only worse. Not only is the news of the most recent tragedy splashed across my feeds, there are the commentaries and arguments that inevitably follow. Everybody has an opinion about everything. It’s almost enough to make me want to bury my head in the sand and disconnect from the world – either that or lose all hope. Almost.

Instead of allowing current events to lead me into a pit of despair, I have decided to focus on the good I still see in the world. Even in the midst of tragedy, there is hope. In the midst of division, there is altruism. In the midst of loss, there is new life. Until the world stops turning, there is a new day around the corner.

I decided that today, I am going to list just a few of the things that bring me hope and remind me that life is still worth living, that there is more good than bad out there, and that there is joy to be had. I hope it brings you a little hope today.

• My coffee pot went off on time this morning, permeating my whole house with the aroma of the elixir of life before my feet hit the floor.
• My girl and her dog had a safe trip back to school.
• My father not only battled cancer, and a resulting stroke, he has regained his ability to drive, returning a piece of his independence we feared had been lost forever.
• A friend of mine was one of the hundreds of volunteers that took their own boats down to Houston to rescue people impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
• Another friend was able to get his sister and her children out of Venezuela.
• I live in a country where I am free to speak my mind. Protected by individuals that willingly place their lives on the line to ensure my continued safety and freedom.
• I have mocha chip cookies, made by my son, in my kitchen.
• My house smells like fall thanks to my handy dandy wax melters.
• I got to enjoy a walk in the sunshine this morning with my dog. And she didn’t poop while we were out.
• A friend does not have to move to Arizona, thereby keeping her close.
• I have witnessed my neighbors helping one another out continually on the neighborhood Facebook page.
• I get to see my son perform on stage again in a couple of weeks for the first time in a long time.
• There is a group of people praying for a friend’s friend (whom few of them have met) as she recovers from a very difficult surgery.
• Cooler weather is finally in the forecast.
• I woke up feeling better today than I did yesterday.
• I woke up today.
• My husband still makes my heart beat faster.
• My rolodex, I mean mobile phone, is chock full of people that will come running if I need anything.
• I get to share a pot of tea with a friend this afternoon.
• God loves me. There is no greater joy or hope than that.

Because of these, and countless other, things I remain hopeful. And when current events try to rob me of that hope I have one response: Not today world, not today.