I am having a hard time watching television these days, and I suspect many are in the same situation. The Hallmark Channel has now become my “go to” station.

To me, it seems we have lost our sense of trust, decency, manners and security.

Recently, this is just some of what we have been exposed to:

• A comedian holding an inappropriate image of our president

• People physically removed from planes, because of overbooking

• Concert-goers, travelers and people attempting to enjoy their lives hurt or killed by ISIS

• People acting as volunteers in nonprofit organizations or employees of corporations stealing money

• Individuals who hurt or sexually abuse children

• Elected or appointed officials who lie or abuse their positions

• Politicians who make decisions regarding health care, the environment or other issues we may or may not agree with

• Celebrities or powerful individuals who make inappropriate comments or more to others

• The involvement or non-involvement of Russia in our election process

• Data breaches

• Nuclear missiles launched

And the list goes on each day.

I will admit on a recent trip to visit my son at college, I was concerned about boarding a plane. I have relatives who will be traveling to Europe this summer. Am I concerned? You bet.

In my younger days, did these things not happen or were we not informed as often? There weren’t as many television channels, and there was no Internet.

There were threats. In the late 1980s, I traveled to London for business. Due to a threat to the United States from Iran, I was placed in a French hotel, not an American hotel, for my safety. I remember being worried about traveling out of the country.

I continue to believe there is still good in our world. I believe, with the help of many, we can turn this turmoil around.

In 1985, a number of artists performed “We Are the World” as a fundraiser for Africa. It raised millions of dollars.

In 1991, Michael Jackson launched “Heal the World,” a song he wrote for the Heal the World Foundation to support children worldwide. The chorus to the song echoes what many feel today: “Heal the world, make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race. There are people dying. If you care enough for the living, make a better place for you and for me.”

In “The World According to Mister Rogers,” Fred Rogers said, “The world needs a sense of worth, and it will achieve it only by its people feeling that they are worthwhile.”

He believed in the future.

“One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation,” Rogers said.

We must be aware of our surroundings at all times. This is a new world. We must hold people accountable for their actions. Safeguards must be in place to ensure the security of our assets, loved ones and property.

We must be kind. “Sometimes, all it takes is one kind word to nourish another person. Think of the ripple effect that can be created when we nourish someone. One kind empathetic word has a wonderful way of turning into many,” Rogers said.

We must work together to ensure a better, safer place for our children and grandchildren.

We must do something to regain the trust in humanity.

Debbie Galbraith

editor

East Penn Press

Salisbury Press