Will our leaders seek the HIGHER GROUND practiced by our founders or continue the rampant lying and cheating?

A judge allowed a governor to remove 11 of the 12 mailboxes in a large county so many people would be unable to cast their ballots.

And we’re getting a constant daily diet of misinformation in today’s political ads.

One of the political parties placed phony ballot boxes around large metro areas while hoping people will put their ballots in so they can be destroyed.

This was not how we built this “SHINING BEACON ON THE HILL” that gave hope to the world!

We must seek HIGHER GROUND by encouraging people to always tell the truth.

We must seek HIGHER GROUND by extending kindness to everyone.

We must seek HIGHER GROUND by lifting up all those who are suffering.

We must seek HIGHER GROUND by always being honest in our business dealings.

We must seek HIGHER GROUND!

If not today, when?

During the pandemic, households with a first responder or healthcare worker do not need to be thinking about getting their yard work done.

That’s why a national non-profit, which is fueled by volunteers from landscaping companies like Weed Man, show up at the homes of essential workers like Logan Gillen, an ER nurse, who can then spend hours with his family when he’s not at work.

So far, the project has delivered manicured lawns to front line heroes in six states.

“The Green Care Program for front line workers has given us at Weed Man Fresno an opportunity to show our appreciation and help those who dedicate their lives to helping others,” said owner Jeff Kollenkark.

“We have a total of nine customers in the program and are blessed to be able to give back to the hard working front line workers who put their lives at risk every day.”

NOW, THAT’S LOVE!

Teaching during a pandemic is challenging for Eric Hale, but he knows many of his students are facing far bigger obstacles in their lives.

He knows because he’s been there.

“I know how hard it is to go to school when you’re hungry,” he said.

“I know how hard it is to go to school and focus when you saw your mom get beat by your stepdad last night.

I know how hard it is to go to school when other kids say you smell bad, but you know it’s because your water was shut off last week.”

In a phone interview with TODAY, Hale, 40, explained how his own childhood trauma has informed his emotional approach with his students and propelled him to become a top teacher.

He was named Texas Teacher of the Year last week, the latest in a string of accolades, but a particularly special one:

He’s the first Black man to ever receive the award in the state of Texas. (www.today.com)

Like many elderly Americans, Gloria Scott lives on a limited income.

Sometimes, that means making hard choices. If money’s tight, home repair and maintenance are often the first things to fall by the wayside.

When her overhead light fixture went out, however, she decided living in the dark wouldn’t do.

So, she called in electrician John Kinney to make the necessary repairs.

Deeply troubled by the extreme state of disrepair he found Scott’s house in, Kinney couldn’t get the woman’s desperate situation out of his head. “No lights, no running water.”

Rather than walk away, Kinney went back to Scott’s place and started working on some other much-needed repairs—free of charge. But he didn’t stop there.

Kinney set up a “Nice old lady needs help” Facebook page to solicit other local tradespeople to lend a hand as well. The enthusiastic response was pretty amazing. (thegoodnewsnetwork.com)

Lift someone up!

If not today, when?

We were going into Kroger Marketplace one day and saw gentlemen riding in one of the electric chairs the store provides.

It was raining and he had a basket full of groceries.

I felt this need to help him.

So I went over and asked if he wanted help putting his groceries in his car. He happily agreed.

I noticed he had a Korean War Veteran hat on so when he asked if I would take $5 for my help, I told him no, his service was thanks enough.

He was surprised. I told him to have a good day and took the electric chair back inside. (thehopeline.com)

Be sure to thank veterans for their service. They may have experienced terrible trauma on our behalf!

If not today, when?

First graders Vincent Butterfield and Zac Gossage were best friends.

They loved hanging out at school and being silly together. But then, tragedy struck.

After feeling tired and sick, Gossage was diagnosed with leukemia.

Even though the treatments exhausted him, Gossage continued going to school.

As a good friend, Butterfield decided to learn about cancer, and told Inside Edition, “It’s when your white blood cell and your red blood cell fight.”

He learned that the treatments were expensive and donated $200 to help Gossage’s family pay for his treatment.

Then Butterfield took his support a step further by shaving his head.

He explained that he did it to help Zac “feel like he’s not the only one without any hair.”

A reporter from Inside Edition asked the boys, “What is friendship?”

Butterfield responded, “A beautiful thing.” (thelist.com)

Kindness has no boundaries!

If not today, when?

Everyone of us has a temper that can be aroused from time to time!

Sometimes, it is probably justified.

The big danger, however, is that we may say something in anger that we will always regret.

Once the words are out, all the apologies in the world can’t bring them back.

I have a simple solution.

When someone says or does something that makes you angry, COUNT TO 10 before responding.

This gives you an opportunity to get control of yourself and avoid using words you’ll regret!

The words we use throughout our lives either enhance or destroy our relationships with loved ones, friends and co-workers.

Choose your words carefully.

If not today, when?

This July, despite chemotherapy treatments, doctors told the 45-year-old father he had only a few months to live.

Gjoraas decided to spend what precious time he has left at home with his wife and three kids.

One thing Gjoraas was determined to take care of before time ran out was to make sure the family home got painted blue—a color his wife loves—even if he wasn’t there to do it himself.

Gjoraas turned to his friend Doug Rinken. “I just asked him if next summer, which I probably won’t be here for, if he can paint it for my wife.”

Rinken did better than that.

The following Saturday, a painting crew comprised of Gjoraas’ former coworkers arrived armed with donated brushes, sprayers, drop cloths, and paint.

Five hours later, the facade of the once brown house was light blue. (Readers Digest)

Sometimes, “It takes a village!”

As I walked through the parking lot, all I could think about was the dire diagnosis I had handed my patient Jimmy: pancreatic cancer.

Just then, I noticed an elderly gentleman handing tools to someone working under his stalled car.

That someone was Jimmy. “Jimmy, what are you doing?” I yelled out. Jimmy dusted off his pants.

“My cancer didn’t tell me not to help others, Doc,” he said, before waving at the old man to start the car. The engine roared to life.

The old man thanked Jimmy and drove off. Then Jimmy got into his car and took off as well. 

Take-home this message: Kindness has no limits and no restrictions. (Mohammed Basha, Gainesville, Florida.)

Even confronted with a fatal diagnosis, some people still think of helping others!

How about you?

If not today, when?

I saw a dress in a consignment shop that I knew my granddaughter would love.

But money was tight, so I asked the store owner if she could hold it for me. 

“May I buy the dress for you?” asked another customer. “Thank you, but I can’t accept such a gracious gift,” I said.

Then she told me why it was so important for her to help me.

She’d been homeless for three years, she said, and had it not been for the kindness of strangers, she would not have been able to survive.

“I’m no longer homeless, and my situation has improved,” she said.

“I promised myself that I would repay the kindness so many had shown me.” 

She paid for the dress, and the only payment she would accept in return was a heartfelt hug. (Stacy Lee, Columbia, Maryland)

It is in giving that we receive!

If not today, when?