We forget, don’t we?

We forget what real people go through every day.

We forget the messages they are bombarded with, the struggles they face, the negative influences on their kids.

Real people perceive your radio station within the context of their own lives.

Often they tune in to get away from the negativity, to be affirmed for the good in people, and to be reminded of the hope we can have through our faith.

The recent government shutdown reminds us with every event heroes emerge. Yes, the front page and social media are filled with politicians playing the blame game, but our stations have other stories to tell.

 

Syrian refugee Yassin Terou offered free meals in his falafel shop to all federal workers affected by the shutdown. “For someone like me who is living the American dream in the American land, I believe every hard worker should reach his goal and have a good level of life.”

The SPCA in Long Island, New York, gave away free pet food to feed the pets of furloughed federal workers.

Some banks, credit unions, and even PayPal were offering interest-free loans and cash advances to help those affected by the shutdown.

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers.’ You will always find people who are helping. To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”

Fred Rogers

With every 9th caller to win a family four-pack of cardboard there is a hero.

With every mom or dad trying to surround their children with positive influences there is a hero.

With every routine traffic accident, with every mundane weather report, with every insignificant time check, someone is being a hero.

But we forget, don’t we?

Our radio stations will be just as mundane as we choose to make them. Or we can look for the heroes and share those stories.