WAKE UP WORDS: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR.

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR. One year ago the Rogue Valley was devastated by the Alameda Fire! Homes and businesses were lost along with jobs and security. What we saw rise from the ashes though was overwhelmingly beautiful! We saw strangers helping strangers. We saw organizations stop their regular programming to turn into makeshift shelters and emergency supply distribution centers. We saw what divides so many of us take a back seat to sacrificial generosity for the community we love. Today as we commemorate the loss, we also remember the power of hope instilled by a community who stepped up for our neighbors in need!!! Today we're joining a challenge set up by others to LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS. BUT we want to take this idea and put an Outsider spin on it...

LET'S LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON THE PANDEMIC. LET'S LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS WHO PROBABLY VOTED DIFFERENTLY THAN WE DID. LET'S LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS WHO FOR SOME REASON AREN'T CAPABLE OF SHOWING LOVE. LET'S LOVE THE GRUMPY PERSON IN THE CHECKOUT LINE, OR THE COWORKER WHO IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET ALONG WITH.

Right now, choose something tangible to do to serve another human being. Write it down in the notes in your phone or set a reminder to go off at 10 am! The world is better when we step up and love! We don't need a tragedy to compel us to make the world a better place - but today as we remember the loss, let's make a mark with hope, love and service!