“Things are hard at this moment. Immensely hard. COVID-19 came in and suddenly, life as we knew it was changed. As if the daily threat of being exposed to a virus with no known vaccine and limited healthcare resources isn’t terrifying enough, the overload on our mental health is just as devastating. People are isolated. People have lost their jobs. They are missing loved ones and friends. Weddings are being postponed. Graduates, who have worked so hard for their chance to cross that stage in front of family and peers, are having to do without. Parents are now balancing the daunting task of educating their children while trying to still make an income at home. Educators are working tirelessly, teaching lessons through Zoom and YouTube, offering support to weary but incredibly, grateful parents. Guardsmen and women are diligently answering the call to keep food distribution channels flowing and drive-thru testing sites operating. Nurses, doctors, hospital admin, and staff are literally in the trenches, wearing invisible-to-the-eye superhuman capes.
It’s beyond comprehension at times. The amount of hard we are all waddling through together while apart. But we’re resilient. We are getting more creative and selective about the things that truly matter to us.
That’s why the good has to be planted. Seedlings of goodwill have to be spread in any and every form they can throughout our communities. It gives us hope. It gives us a sense of connection during a time when coming together is imperative. It gives us fulfillment, a purpose, knowing we can ease another person’s stress, even just for a moment. Spreading seeds of good reminds us that all of this is bigger than ourselves.
I have heard from countless people in my own community of the good they have planted during these challenging times. It has deeply solidified my faith in humanity. One example of a good seed came from a close friend of mine. She shared that she was inspired on her way home from her essential job one day. She emphasized she used the word ‘inspired’ intentionally because the train of thought just appeared to her like a gift. What if she could plant a seed for a neighbor who has the odds stacked against her; a single mother with now zero income. What if this seed she plants could be shared with other neighbors and allow them to cultivate the seed? What if, with their support, it could flourish? My friend made some calls, had advocates in her corner, and got to work anonymously setting up a safety net of basics for this single mother. A few texts later, others got involved. The seed blossomed. That one tiny idea was shared and it sprouted another similar safety net for another single mother. One of the most beautiful parts of watching something grow is to see the vines traveling to other destinations to help more things sprout.
Here are a few more ideas of good that were recently shared with me if you ever feel inspired to get planting:
Do you happen to have a green thumb? Share some of your plants with a neighbor.
Maybe you have chickens and an abundance of eggs that can be shared too.
Have too many seeds? Perfect time to share with a neighbor!
Cleaning out closets or rooms? Did you find treasures you no longer need but know someone else can benefit from? You could drop it off on their front porch.
Meals and baked goods left on others’ porches almost taste better. The added ingredient of thoughtfulness is a wonderful flavor.
Did you clean out your pantry and find an abundance of flour, sugar, or canned goods? Share where you can.
Making a trip to a store? Check-in with an elderly family member or neighbor to see if there’s anything you can grab for them too.
Come in contact with an essential worker? Tell them thank you. Shout it from the mountain tops. Trust me, your appreciation makes their commutes to work that much easier.
Check-in with your friends and family often.
Ordering printed photos? Order extra and have them sent to family members as a surprise. Nothing surpasses tangible photographs.
Making homemade play dough with your littles? Make extra if possible to share with another parent to help keep their kids busy.
Love to sew? Sew a few masks (maybe even child-size) and leave them in your community’s little libraries
Create window, sidewalk, or other street art to make someone smile as they pass it to get fresh air.
Paint rocks however you’d like and leave them for others to find.
Offer to walk neighbor’s dogs.
Mow your neighbor’s side of the yard.
Does your family make donations monthly to non-profits? Reassess those funds to make sure your dollars can be most beneficial in your community right now.
When you shop, shop local. This is critical more than ever. Those mom and pop stores have the ability to support the local farmers and producers. In other words, help pay your neighbors bills and put food on their tables.
When you order take out (same logic as above), order local take out.
Local artists and musicians are self-employed. With galleries closed and no concerts being held, they cannot earn an income. If they offer an online shop – shop if you can. If they offer online lessons or stream music – now is a perfect time to learn to play or pay to hear them play.
Check-in with local shelters to see what is on their critical lists. They haven’t been able to raise funds in the same manner as before. Fancy galas are not happening. Help where you can.
This list is just a start. A mere fragment of the amount of good that can be planted in this growing season we all find ourselves in.”
This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Carly Marie Brettmann, 33, 0f Olympia Washington. Follow her journey on her website here. Do you have a similar experience? We’d like to hear your important journey. Submit your own story here. Be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.
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