What gave you hope today for a better tomorrow?

[Jack Kerouac]

A thread has been going on about if we are angrier today than in the past. Despite the topic of anger, a lot of the individuals writing on it have been really kind, sincere, and willing to listen to others who they might disagree with. Today, I thought about asking people to share their stories where others provided them with hope, help, or just a small act of kindness. The world needs kindness more than ever. It also needs more grace and forgiveness.

I'll go first. Today, my wife and I took our boys to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. It was a warm day and over the five hours, our boys went through a wide range of emotions. At lunch, a really nice couple saw a table open up and instead of taking it for themselves, she wanted us to have it. I told her it was really kind of her and I offered to let them sit with us if they wanted a spot, since they had their food and we did not yet have ours. She declined kindly. By the time I went to sit down, another family had began to sit down. I guess if I dilly-dally, I deserve to lose a table indoors. There were plenty of other families with small children looking for tables, so I just opted to find a table outside.

Sidebar: I did see the lady who offered us the table talking with the family who took it about how there were other families with children waiting for tables before them. I thought it was kind of her to try to remind this group of adults that there were a lot of families with small children looking for a place to eat indoors. She just wanted the kids to be more comfortable, which I appreciated.

It was nice to experience some kindness on a hot day in a crowded zoo. This lady provided me with a reminder to be kind to others when they have their hands full. We go to WDW in August for ten days. I hope to pay it forward multiple times when we visit.

Also a quick shoutout to my oldest son. He used his own money today to purchase a souvenir. When the cashier asked if he wanted to round up to help the animals, he said yes. I love his kind heart.

So what is something, big or small, that has given you some hope for a better tomorrow, a better future?

 

[Notreallyaustralian]

Your post gives me hope for a better tomorrow. I mean the idea that you decided to try to start this conversation.

There's not much that brings me hope in terms of society, the planet, healthcare, civil rights, etc.

But the news that gave me hope for a better DISNEY tomorrow was the announcement that they're going to be getting rid of park reservations and the food plan is coming back. I'm also excited about the new DVC in Fort Wilderness.

 

[disykat]

I agree with above that this post is a good start. I haven't been out and about yet today, but leaning on my religious beliefs is giving me hope.

 

[PAsFab5]

What a great post! Thank you for this!

We got a foster dog yesterday who clearly has a a rough time in her short life. While her condition brought me to tears her resilience has given me hope.

I’m just 24 hours she has made such progress and if she can forgive the cruelty she has experienced and live her life like she never had a bad day, so can I. She has inspired me!

 

[Micca]

"I don't want to live in a world where someone else is making the world a better place better than we are."

Gavin Belson, HBO Show "Silicon Valley" Season Two

 

[Traveling on cc points]

A thread has been going on about if we are angrier today than in the past. Despite the topic of anger, a lot of the individuals writing on it have been really kind, sincere, and willing to listen to others who they might disagree with. Today, I thought about asking people to share their stories where others provided them with hope, help, or just a small act of kindness. The world needs kindness more than ever. It also needs more grace and forgiveness.

I'll go first. Today, my wife and I took our boys to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. It was a warm day and over the five hours, our boys went through a wide range of emotions. At lunch, a really nice couple saw a table open up and instead of taking it for themselves, she wanted us to have it. I told her it was really kind of her and I offered to let them sit with us if they wanted a spot, since they had their food and we did not yet have ours. She declined kindly. By the time I went to sit down, another family had began to sit down. I guess if I dilly-dally, I deserve to lose a table indoors. There were plenty of other families with small children looking for tables, so I just opted to find a table outside.

Sidebar: I did see the lady who offered us the table talking with the family who took it about how there were other families with children waiting for tables before them. I thought it was kind of her to try to remind this group of adults that there were a lot of families with small children looking for a place to eat indoors. She just wanted the kids to be more comfortable, which I appreciated.

It was nice to experience some kindness on a hot day in a crowded zoo. This lady provided me with a reminder to be kind to others when they have their hands full. We go to WDW in August for ten days. I hope to pay it forward multiple times when we visit.

Also a quick shoutout to my oldest son. He used his own money today to purchase a souvenir. When the cashier asked if he wanted to round up to help the animals, he said yes. I love his kind heart.

So what is something, big or small, that has given you some hope for a better tomorrow, a better future?

Thanks for sharing your experience, It is really nice to see a positive thread once in a while.

That was super kind of that lady to give up the table and offer it up to you.
That is where her “kindness” should have stopped IMO. We will have to agree to disagree that is was kind of her to take it upon herself to let the adults know that families with children were also looking for a table. I would be very put off if this woman walked up to my table trying to guilt me into giving up my table that I got to first for what she perceives as a more deserving guest.

Kudos to your son for donating his own money. That is awesome!

 

[Jack Kerouac]

Thanks for sharing your experience, It is really nice to see a positive thread once in a while.

That was super kind of that lady to give up the table and offer it up to you.
That is where her “kindness” should have stopped IMO. We will have to agree to disagree that is was kind of her to take it upon herself to let the adults know that families with children were also looking for a table. I would be very put off if this woman walked up to my table trying to guilt me into giving up my table that I got to first for what she perceives as a more deserving guest.

Kudos to your son for donating his own money. That is awesome!

I realized I need to start focusing on the positive aspects of life, and I thought others may too. Thank you.

I agree with you about her kindness to give up the table. I want to think her heart was in the right place by talking to the other family. Even if it is not me and my family who got the table, there were many other families children, and so I think she was thinking of all the children who could have used a break from the sun. When we had finished eating, part of me wanted to thank her again for being so kind (to offer us the table) because it was such a kind gesture that seems rare these days. But I did not want her to think I was condoning the part where she talked to the other family, because there is always the chance my assumption about where her heart is, is wrong.

When I said I want to pay it forward at WDW, I hope it will be kind, gentle gestures, such as offering up a table or a better spot for the parade (there was one poster on the angry board who mentioned two occasions where others gave them their place for the parade so they had a better view). I won't be telling a family they stole a table as a way to pay it forward.

And thank you for the encouragement and kind words for my oldest. I appreciate it.

 

[Jack Kerouac]

Your post gives me hope for a better tomorrow. I mean the idea that you decided to try to start this conversation.

There's not much that brings me hope in terms of society, the planet, healthcare, civil rights, etc.

But the news that gave me hope for a better DISNEY tomorrow was the announcement that they're going to be getting rid of park reservations and the food plan is coming back. I'm also excited about the new DVC in Fort Wilderness.

Thank you!

I too am really hopeful that Disney is heading in the right direction with these changes. We are planning on visiting WDW in August, January, and next May/June via DVC. I'm excited to give my boys some of the experiences I had growing up.

If you have DVC, where is your home resort?

 

[BrianL]

I realized I need to start focusing on the positive aspects of life, and I thought others may too. Thank you.

I agree with you about her kindness to give up the table. I want to think her heart was in the right place by talking to the other family. Even if it is not me and my family who got the table, there were many other families children, and so I think she was thinking of all the children who could have used a break from the sun. When we had finished eating, part of me wanted to thank her again for being so kind (to offer us the table) because it was such a kind gesture that seems rare these days. But I did not want her to think I was condoning the part where she talked to the other family, because there is always the chance my assumption about where her heart is, is wrong.

When I said I want to pay it forward at WDW, I hope it will be kind, gentle gestures, such as offering up a table or a better spot for the parade (there was one poster on the angry board who mentioned two occasions where others gave them their place for the parade so they had a better view). I won't be telling a family they stole a table as a way to pay it forward.

And thank you for the encouragement and kind words for my oldest. I appreciate it.

I will be in back at the happy place tomorrow, and while I know the world can be a crazy place, when I'm there all of that melts away. I will be smiling and quietly singing along:

There's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow,
Shining at the end of every day,
There's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow,
And tomorrow is just a dream away,
Man has a dream, and that's the start,
He follows his dream with mind and heart,
And when it becomes a reality,
It's a dream come true for you and me,
So there's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow,
Shining at the end of every day,
There's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow,
Just a dream away!

 

[Dan Murphy]

So what is something, big or small, that has given you some hope for a better tomorrow, a better future?

I woke up this morning and this website, along with all of you, were still here.

 

[dreamer17555]

My kids.

I’ve shared but my son is special-needs, and was completely nonverbal until he was almost 4. Today? He presented an oral report to me about the Soviet Union’s military tactics during WWII (we homeschool).

I Viscerally remember those years when I could not always reach him. When I would hold him while he thrashed and I would cry while praying that anything I was doing with making a small bit of difference. And I was given so much help so much help. Many people came together to help him- so many teachers and specialists.

And they gave me the ability to sit at a table with him and have him tell me about how he is doing and what he wants to accomplish in the future and I have to tell you for the first half of his life, I never thought that would happen.

Yes, things are scary but I believe most people really want to help each other. Things can get better even when it feels like they can’t or that you’re not making enough of a difference. Everyone who showed up for me and my kids as changed our lives in the best way.

 

[RamblingMad]

I always feel great when I’m on a hike. The Earth is a marvelous place.

 

[Jack Kerouac]

My kids.

I’ve shared but my son is special-needs, and was completely nonverbal until he was almost 4. Today? He presented an oral report to me about the Soviet Union’s military tactics during WWII (we homeschool).

I Viscerally remember those years when I could not always reach him. When I would hold him while he thrashed and I would cry while praying that anything I was doing with making a small bit of difference. And I was given so much help so much help. Many people came together to help him- so many teachers and specialists.

And they gave me the ability to sit at a table with him and have him tell me about how he is doing and what he wants to accomplish in the future and I have to tell you for the first half of his life, I never thought that would happen.

Yes, things are scary but I believe most people really want to help each other. Things can get better even when it feels like they can’t or that you’re not making enough of a difference. Everyone who showed up for me and my kids as changed our lives in the best way.

I can partly relate with this, as my youngest, Robin, is three and is in early intervention for speech. He was never nonverbal, so I don't want to equate the two. He was just very delayed. After getting speech at our house and starting at our primary school once he turned three, his speech is exploding. I finally get to hear about what's going on in his mind and how his day went while I was at work.

Congratulations to your son for all of his hard work and that presentation! And to you as well for all of your hard work, patience, and love. Very cool and thank you for sharing!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I am a nurse. So, although I regularly see a lot of illness and tragedies, I also often witness kindness in action.

This weekend a patient had her family bring in some pastry just for me. I didn’t actually have time to eat it but she had me take the package home at the end of my shift to share with my family. That meant a lot. (And it was delicious!)

I worked with someone, too, who was having a rough shift. I’d brought in some lemon tea so I made him a cup and brought it over to him while he was trying to catch up with his documentation. He appreciated it. I also gave him some food to eat at his desk as he didn’t have time to take a break.

These are the types things I see and do every day at work.

At home, I was tired after working all weekend. This morning my daughter (also a nurse and grad student who is tired herself) got me coffee in bed and my son (who is out with a head injury after being assaulted at work) moved the laundry along for me. Little things that mean a lot.

If we all regularly did these types of little things that make a difference, this world would be a better place.

Good thread.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

This little guy:

That's how I found my Godson this morning. He was sitting behind a recliner in our living room. I thought maybe something had made him sad. I asked him what was wrong. He said, "nothing I'm just happy so I was hiding!" Of course it didn't make sense that he would hide to be happy, but small children will be small children. He is a kind, funny, and patient child who shows love to us without any reservation. God willing, he'll grow up into a kind, funny, and patient man who makes a difference in his part of the universe. He gives me hope.

 

[tvguy]

Being angrier is a step in the process towards making things better. Just the normal cycle of society. So seeing people angry and taking action to fix things is giving me hope.

 

[cedricandsophie]

My adult daughter with Down syndrome always makes the day of everyone who meets her better. She is sweet, charming and very wise. An example, she and her dad went to the movie last week. My husband hates the ticket machines and having to pick his seats ahead of time. He gets crotchety and irritated when he can’t figure something out. He was rude to the ticket people before finally getting the tickets. When they were seated and watching the movie he leaned over to our daughter and said he was sorry for acting like a jerk. Her sage and wise response was …tell them. So he did on the way out. She makes us a better version of ourselves every day.

 

[GAN]

I'm not exactly sure yet, but I'm sure I'll come up with something......

 

[Notreallyaustralian]

Thanks for sharing your experience, It is really nice to see a positive thread once in a while.

That was super kind of that lady to give up the table and offer it up to you.
That is where her “kindness” should have stopped IMO. We will have to agree to disagree that is was kind of her to take it upon herself to let the adults know that families with children were also looking for a table. I would be very put off if this woman walked up to my table trying to guilt me into giving up my table that I got to first for what she perceives as a more deserving guest.

Kudos to your son for donating his own money. That is awesome!

That's a very good point about the woman pressuring someone to give up their table. Who knows what sort of struggles the people at the table might have been enduring. And even if there weren't...good deeds become much less beautiful when it's because someone was pressured into doing it.

 

[Notreallyaustralian]

Being angrier is a step in the process towards making things better. Just the normal cycle of society. So seeing people angry and taking action to fix things is giving me hope.

Wow. I love this so much. And I feel the same. Anger about important things...like injustice...can bring about needed changes in the world.