This week we have seen images and been told stories coming out of Haiti that are incomprehensible to most of us settled comfy in our homes in the United States.  If you are like me, you even experienced some discomfort in your own bed at night, simply out of guilt for the luxuries we take for granted.  This awareness of the differences between having and not having is what is able to drive us to exercise compassion.  For me, compassion is one of the brightest stars to shine when humans suffer.  It is a trait I look to carry every day and one that I cherish when I see it amongst so many others. 

In the midst of any tragedy, it is hard to find the good, but I carry a philosophy in life that it’s vital to do just that.  While we must remain vigilant in our support to the efforts in Haiti, I’m taking a moment to point out a few silver linings from this past week:

People: rich and poor, old and young, come together and share.  Whether giving $10 via text message or $100,000 via stock sale, it is comforting to see so many Americans step in to help.  While some still remain skeptics of micro-donations through text messaging and the internet, this crisis has broken down a lot of those barriers.  The American Red Cross has raised more than $60 million in donations since the earthquake, about half of which was given over the Internet.  About $12 million came via text message, a record amount of funds to be raised using this mode of giving.  

Politicians become human.   One of the images we saw for the first time this week was the two former presidents and one sitting president all standing together, united in a mission to help motivate citizens to get involved in the relief effort.  Yes, even Republicans and Democrats share a common thread of compassion.  President Clinton and President George W Bush are leading the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund to help raise money for aid. The fund's site is www.clintonbushhaitifund.org, and is a good place to send cash donations.  In addressing the pundits who are seeking to politicize the initiative, President Bush shared, “we should keep politics out of Haiti.”  President Clinton piggy-backed saying he hoped people “keep their differences of conviction [in politics], but treat their neighbors as friends.”  He added, “I hope it [the relief effort] will humanize us all.”

Unsung heroes emerge.  Finally, the spotlight is shifted to people that really deserve attention and praise.  While our entertainment paradigm today seems cloudy with “reality-based” programming, it’s times like these that the confusion surrounding “reality” becomes crystal clear.  With medical aid being such a huge part of the Haiti relief initiative, I have found myself very drawn to the international agency called Doctors without Borders, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres.  These volunteer teams are doing their best in terms of administering first aid, but surgery needs are huge.  You can learn more about helping these doctors’ efforts by visiting www.doctorswithoutborders.org. 

Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, even prior to the earthquake.  Their infrastructure and government was already shaky, but what people don’t know is that there was great progress coming out of the region.  Unfortunately, this progress just wasn’t making the headlines.  Though the devastation right now can seem hopeless, it is the impact around which our aid will play in the years to come that you should create a feeling of hope. 

Americans always emerge at times of need with great vigor and great passion.  It is during these times that I recognize just how defined our culture is:  by great people, great leaders, and the greatest givers.