It is really easy to be negative these days.
And that is OK. There’s a lot to be bummed about.
In our jobs, seeing and telling about the worst of humanity — and being on the receiving end of it in comments left on our page or in our inbox — can be a daily downer.
But we also get to see the very best of Squamish. The folks who went out of their way to stop by our office to drop off a gift or cash for our carriers; or an unwrapped toy, gift card or money for . Some even dropped off tokens or words of appreciation for our staff.
We see goodness in the daffodils sent in to thank others for their extra acts of kindness.
In fact, when you turn your attention to all the acts of goodness this past year, there are at least as many inspiring moments as negative ones: more daffodils deserved than darts.
How about those folks behind the ? They raised over $40,000 this year for Christmas Care.
So many of you gave from the heart for others.
We saw the same generosity with donations to flood victims — from a hockey team to a costume designer who organized drives to give to those suffering.
There’s the doctors, nurses, dentists, hygienists, paramedics and other medical professionals who have risked their own health to keep us safe, run the local testing site, or give us all our life-saving injections.
Teachers, daycare educators and coaches who likely wanted to run from their obligations but instead showed up and gave it their all, COVID-19 be damned, should also inspire.
Countless business owners have navigated ever-changing protocols, restrictions, and shutdowns with grace, determination and a smile on their faces when customers walked through the door — putting their customer and staff health far above their bottom lines.
There are police officers and firefighters who went above and beyond to be kind and show compassion.
Think of the countless 麻豆社国产Search and Rescue and Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue and volunteer 麻豆社国产Fire Rescue members who got up from their family tables to help someone in need.
The same can be said for those who volunteer with many local organizations, delivering books or meals, garden or bird boxes — or a hand when needed most.
Think of all those who came out to march when the news first hit of bodies found on Indian Residential School grounds in Kamloops and then again on the first Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Or recall the 80 or so truckers who showed up for the Ross Memorial Rally and locals who lined the streets to support them in June.
Think of the many hours spent by those rescuing and protecting horses out on .
There are folks in this town devoted to giving their time to protecting birds, fish, habitat and other tiny creatures that share our home with us.
Others give up countless hours for our trail network or spend their free time picking up trash.
Others shovel for neighbours or strangers or push a stuck traveller out of the snow.
School and transit bus drivers have seen the best and worse of us through mask mandates and terrible weather, but they go the extra mile to make everyone feel welcome and safe on board.
Thousands of others of you may not have done things celebrated widely, but you got up and gave all of yourself to your kids, so they didn’t feel the weight of the stress you were under; or you stood up to a bully at school, dropped an item at the food bank, smiled at a tired cashier, hairdresser, or customer when you really wanted to curl up and cry. Perhaps you simply held a door open, comforted a friend, waved a car or pedestrian through the intersection.
Those seconds and moments matter more than you know.
There are many other acts of kindness not mentioned here, and that is a great thing.
Goodness and kindness are truly everywhere.
As a New Year’s resolution, how about we vow to see and be that goodness more often this year, despite the negative moments and actions sure to come.
