Help others meet their goals

Lend a helping hand. Sometimes, that's all it takes to get your mind off your own troubles.

After all, there's no better way to distract yourself. And, truthfully, don't we all need a little distraction every once in a while?

Remember the days after the World Trade Center towers were destroyed, or the days after the Hurricane Katrina flooded the South, or even now, as fire bursts its flames through family homes in the hills of Santa Barbara? The victims of these kinds of devastation must have something to distract them from the reality, or they wouldn't survive. Losing family in a terrorist attack or flood, losing your home? These are not tragedies easily overcome. They take time. They take faith. They take love for mankind.

As I experienced first-hand after the death of my husband in 1989, I know our minds naturally shield us initially with its numbing powers. But eventually, that numbness clears, leaving us with choices to be made. It's a miracle to have help during this time of clean up. And even if you're one of the victims, it can be a healthy thing to focus on the needs of others, even while you're dealing with your own. When chaos occurs to a community, for instance, helping others who might appear to be worse off than you can be a natural transition.

It is during devastating moments like the examples above when we are warmed by the hearts of heroes. They always seem to appear exactly when needed. These are the folks who know the benefits behind the meaning of a helping hand.

Has there ever been a time when you reached out or needed someone to do this for you? How did you respond? Did you notice that by helping others, or by others helping you, life seemed less chaotic? Perhaps you felt a sense of hope.

Hope offers the miracle cure when progress seems unlikely. It can come from within or from without. In times of need, helping others meet their goals, especially if you're having trouble meeting your own, can put you both back on the path to success.

If you have a story to share about hope, help, or heroes, please post your comment here so the rest of us can know your joy.