Wherever you see tragedy, you see bravery too, where you see ordinary people in need, you see extraordinary ordinary people come to their aid. In times of sadness, always look for the helpers… because they will always be there!
Johannesburg, South Africa (13 December 2022) – Good is going to win! I believe it. I know it. I see it. I’m actually sure of it.
Times have obviously gotten harder, and people are nervous and fearful. The last three years have been incredibly tragic, filled with unprecedented upheaval, solitude and hardships.
Like 2020 and 2021, 2022 has been a bit of a shitshow.
Tragedy has been everywhere.
I mean, the year started with Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s funeral, and then our parliament was set alight, KwaZulu-Natal faced severe storms and flooding, and “This is Us” ended. Queen Elizabeth passed away. We had to witness the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard mess (even if we really didn’t want to). Russia went to war. And for some reason, we keep giving Bheki Cele airtime (shuuuudup). Loadshedding is still here, our water pressure (in Joburg) is being restricted, a global census conducted by Charlize announced that there are only 44 Afrikaans people left in the world and for some reason, Zuma is still running around as a free man… and apparently now jolling with Schabir Shaik.
I think it’s because some of you didn’t forward that “chain email” in 2005 and now we’re dealing with the outfall.
I digress.
As tough as things are, we need to look at the other side of the coin… the good things.
In South Africa, despite all the food insecurity and poverty, charity organisations and communities support each other every single day to help feed each other. Taylor Swift’s new album is an absolute cracker. Once-endangered humpback whale populations have bounced back from the edge of extinction. The White Lotus season 2 finale was flipping brilliant. Scotland became the first country in the world (the world!) to make period products free for all. 1. Banyana Banyana were crowned African champions! The women of Iran were announced as “the heroes of the year”. And South Africa has won more awards this year than we know what to do with. Oh, we have Gift of the Givers.
Also, there are really good humans who remind us how beautiful our country is every single day.
You see, on the deeper side of things, I’m optimistic. Wherever you see tragedy, you see bravery too, where you see ordinary people in need, you see extraordinary ordinary people come to their aid. In times of sadness, always look for the helpers… because they will always be there!
Trust me on this one… this year alone Good Things Guy published over 2,500 stories of “good things” happening in our beautiful country!
Right now – today – some South Africans are giving their time and energy and hard-earned cash to people who they’ll never meet but whose pain and fear they feel and want to fight… a reminder that people are inherently good, and there is still so much kindness and love in the world.
So yes, good is going to win. I’m actually sure of it.
Now read that all again.
Okay. Love you. Bye.
by 