I don't know how I can see the beauty in things like tornadoes, hurricanes, or slums, but somehow, somewhere, there is beauty in all things, as it says in the Good Book.

For one thing, I see the beauty in the generosity of people after natural (or man-made) disasters.  Take, for instance, the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. nearly 10 years ago (gee, has it been that long already??).  Kids and adults opened their pocketbooks and donated money to the victims who lost loved ones in the attacks.

Or the horrors of Hurricane Katrina a little over five years ago.  People stepped up and donated boxes upon boxes of diapers, unperishable foods, clothing, toys, etc. to the victims who had lost so much.  People even went down to the Gulf Coast states to provide comfort and to assist in the clean up efforts.

Or you see a rescue worker cradling the broken, bloody body of a child who has been buried underneath the rubble after an earthquake, praying desperately for this little one's life.  Same goes when you see ordinary strangers banding together to provide comfort to people who lost everything in fires or tornadoes.

Seeing such images does my heart good.  It makes me proud to know that there are caring people who are full of compassion towards those who are less fortunate.  It seems funny how we unite whenever something like 9-11-2001 or Hurricane Katrina happens; this is the attitude we should adopt every day. 

The world would certainly be a lot better off, that is for certain!

It would also be a great service if people would help out the elderly, the poor, or the disabled, or even our service men and women who gave so much for our country, not just the children.  I try to help anybody, regardless whether it is a child, a senior citizen, a Veteran, or the homeless bum down the street.  I guess it's the love of God inside: He gives me the love and the compassion to reach out to these hurting people, and in the end, I feel better because I have passed a bit of His love to others.

I know that God will bless me in the end for practicing the Golden Rule:  "Love thy neighbor as you would yourself".  The key word is this: LOVE.

If I can do it, then certainly other people can, too.  We have seemed to gotten away from "helping our fellow man" and provide for our own needs when there are so many needy, hurting people who can use a helping hand up.  It makes me sad, but I, for one, refuse to sit on my bottom and just let an opportunity to reach out to others pass me by.

If I can inspire others to do the same, then we'd all be a whole lot better off!