Thoughts and Prayers Aren’t Enough

Now, don’t get me wrong.  Empathy for others is what changes the world and I believe in the power of both positive thought and prayer.  These are important concepts to a civilization that is trying it’s best to grow and change into something better.  What is disturbing me is the trend in my society that thoughts and prayers being offered up is a solution in and of itself.  There are people on social media who post their thoughts and prayers and think they’re done.  No further action is needed.

Americans in Puerto Rico are dying.  A couple of days ago, nine million children in America lost their health insurance because congress couldn’t be bothered.  Now, fifty-eight folks at a concert in Las Vegas are dead and tons more are injured because of a mentally ill man with a bunch of guns.

Your thoughts and prayers are all very well, but people need actual help.  Offering nothing more than a moment of your mental time is selfish and lazy.  By all means, pray for these people, but then do something.  Call your representatives and ask what is being done about the children who have lost their healthcare. Give ’em hell!  Make a donation to help those devastated by the natural disasters of this hurricane season.  Make a donation to those people struggling with loss and medical care costs in Las Vegas.  Even if all you can afford is five bucks, it adds up.  If every adult in America donated only five buck each, it would raise over a billion dollars.

Now, I’m not trying to shame anyone.  There are folks who can’t even afford five dollars.  I’ve been there.  You work on staying afloat and let the rest of us handle this. I’m talking to the people who can help, but don’t get around to it, or post their thoughts and prayers and think they’ve done their part.  Your thoughts and prayers were great, now stand up and do something.

To donate to Puerto Rico or relief for victims of Irma, Harvey, or Maria:

Direct Relief is a vetted group working to get medicine and health care to those in need.  They need cash donations to do this.  You can find them here:

United For Puerto Rico is another way to get money directly to those in need.

To help the victims in the Las Vegas shooting:

Steve Sisolak, chairman of the Clark County Commission, has set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the victims.

If you are in the Las Vegas area, please consider donating blood.  That will help as well.

To find your representatives and ask what’s going on with CHIP, the program that gave health care to 9 million children, visit this website:

I’m a struggling writer without a day job.  I’ve donated, have you?