I was relaxing in my “Comfy Chair,” actually sleeping, and my thoughts turned to people I call “Silent Saints & Heroes!” What do I mean by “Silent Saints & Heroes?” What percentage of the 24-hour news cycle focuses on all of the good things people do all the time all over our community, country, and the World! A minute percentage of all media-focused stories are good news. Why? I have a theory: If we focus on good news stories, people’s behavior may become reflective of the good news they are seeing in the media. Negative news may sell newspapers, ads on major news media, and offer impactful soundbites to keep people watching, but is it having a negative impact on society? I believe that it is. A great example of the impact television has on people is the launch of the television series on October 1972. The very next day, I observed kids walking to school and emulating poor copycat skills of a Kung Fu Fighter! Kids were chopping everything with their hands and, in some cases, hurt themselves, requiring medical attention. It was amazing to observe this!
Who are the “Silent Saints & Heroes?” They are first responders who run into a burning building, operate the ‘Jaws of life,’ or work one-on-one to resuscitate someone in trouble. They are Nurses, Doctors, & Caregivers who don’t watch the clock but work tirelessly to help, save, and improve a patient’s health. 911 workers, mental health professionals, nursing home workers & volunteers. Some work at a local Mission, donating their time to help others afford many items that can be found, new or like new, at a local mission. Find a Church Ministry that you would like to work with. People who care for the elderly, especially those who are homebound. Volunteers at local hospitals are a testament to people going above and beyond to help others. When an elderly woman in our community was sad that her stove had quit working and she couldn’t afford a new one, some people came together, got her a new stove, installed it, and truly helped another human being. Paying it forward, people have shared that they are in line for fast food or even just a coffee, and the person in front of them paid for their meal or beverage.
In grocery stores, someone didn’t have enough money to pay for the food items, so someone stepped up and covered the balance of the cost. Many Churches at Christmas time have a “Giving Tree,” and people can pick a card from the tree that has a Christmas Wish written on it. They go out, buy it, wrap it, and drop it back off at the “Giving Tree!” An incredible amount of helping other people happens every day. There are many ways to give, such as volunteering, donating money or items, or visiting a lonely person to simply talk and share time. Working for Charity organizations, serving on the Board Of Directors, or giving personal home care. The people who do these “Little Miracles” do not do them for recognition; they do these things because it fits their “Moral Compass” to be compassionate and to help those in need. They don’t brag about or even talk about what they do; for them, it’s enough just to do these things! It is a giving of oneself to others with no expectation of anything coming back other than self-satisfaction of doing good deeds!
If you would like to volunteer, reach out to people you know who are volunteers and ask them how they feel about their involvement. Also, ask where you might fit in. In our World, which seems out of control at times, helping people gives you a sense of connection and peace that comes with doing good works. And you will join the millions of “Silent Saints & Heroes!”
Remember, every day is a gift! Some are just a little more fun to open than others. – Joel, Author of “The Guinea Pig In The Freezer”.   [email protected] © Joel M. Vernier June 15,2025
