Recently, veteran Steve Hartman, the longtime CBS News correspondent behind the beloved “On the Road” series, released a video that has now been recognized with an Emmy nomination for its heartfelt impact.
Hartman’s Kindness 101 segments — short, poignant lessons rooted in real human stories — have grown from a creative response to the 2020 pandemic into a cultural touchstone for kindness, character and empathy.
At its core, the series reminds us that behind every headline is a person’s life — with hopes, challenges, dreams and heartbreak. And in a piece like the one you shared, that truth is put into sharp focus: the profound loss of children — America’s future — and the generations of families thrust into grief and unanswered questions.
Why This Matters — Beyond the Award
An Emmy nomination is more than industry recognition; it’s a testament to how deeply these stories resonate with audiences. But the impact of Hartman’s work — especially videos that touch on devastating loss — comes from something neither awards nor news metrics can measure:
They make us feel — fully, painfully, honestly. Too often we scroll past headlines, numb to numbers. Hartman forces us to look up, to acknowledge the human being behind the statistic.
They remind us of what we lose — not just individuals, but futures, potential, and possibilities. Childhoods cut short, families forever changed, communities transformed by absence rather than presence.
They challenge us — not merely to grieve, but to care. Empathy doesn’t happen by accident; it is cultivated through stories that open our hearts, that ask us to sit in discomfort and say, “This matters.”
Hartman’s Kindness 101 isn’t just about feel-good moments (though there are many). It’s about confronting the tough stuff — loss, grief, hope, resilience — and finding ways to connect. In teaching kindness, he is also teaching remembrance: that those who are gone matter, that their stories ask something deeper from us than mere acknowledgment.
Can We Become a Nation of Kindness?
That’s the question at the heart of your reflection.
Will the cycle of tragedy in America ever stop? Will we ever build a culture rooted in love, respect, compassion and empathy — not only for the grieving families but for our shared humanity?
There are no easy answers. But in moments like this — when a video meant to honor lives lost becomes a national conversation and an Emmy-nominated touchstone — we are reminded that empathy still matters. That compassion still resonates. That kindness still has currency in a world that too often feels fractured.
Hartman’s video asks us not just to watch, but to care — deeply and consistently — about the cost of violence and the value of every life. As we keep these families in our hearts and prayers, perhaps the greater tribute we can give is to carry their stories forward with empathy, action and a commitment to a more humane, compassionate nation.
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First off I must tell one and all, the dance has been rescheduled and will be on the 24th and not the 19th. Sunday — Thanks to Deacon Patrick, I attended 11 AM Mass at Saint Luke Catholic Church. There was a Church Service here at WFV. Open Game Table and a Superbowl Party.
Monday — Doctor’s Appointments all day. A midday Church Service. A Fall Prevention.
Tuesday — Errands at 9 AM and 1 PM. The Elm Fork River Band preformed. A Book Club Meeting followed by the Sunshine Committee Meeting.
Wednesday-Doctor’s Appointments all day. Bible Study. Classy Classical. Crafts, Bingo, and an evening Church Service.
Thursday — Mini Mall Visit. Birthday Social. Resident Council Meeting.
Friday — Breakfast at the Waffle House. Coke Floats, Monthly Planning Meeting, and Movie Night.
Saturday — Valentines Day. Food Demo with a Valentine Theme. Rosary in the Chapel. A meeting of the Muder Mystery Cast. Trivia, Hope Group, and a Violin Recital by the students of Irving Public School. All ages.
As you can see another fun filled week at West Fork Village. A Place Where Seniors Thrive.
Mark it on your calander. The will be on the 24th and not the 17th. We hope to see you there. The time is 6 to 8 PM.
The Muder Mystery will be on the 19th at 6 PM.
To learn more about WFV, for you or a loved one, call 972=721–1500.
If you liked this article, please share your feedback and subcribe for more stories.
Rick Herring thmjmj@gmail.com
P.S. I am giving vacation certificates on some of the programs I am promting. Click Here to go to the front page. Then click on the pages in the top right hand corner to access them.
“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high…”
These words from Psalm 131 feel almost countercultural today.
We live in a world that rewards self-promotion. Social media tells us to build platforms. Culture tells us to “dream bigger,” “be louder,” “stand taller.” Yet this short psalm invites us into something radically different: humility.
The psalmist is not shrinking back in insecurity. He is not denying his worth. Instead, he is choosing a posture of trust. He is saying, “I don’t have to understand everything. I don’t have to control everything. I don’t have to elevate myself.”
There is deep freedom in that confession.
When our hearts are “lifted up” in pride, we are restless. When our eyes are “raised too high,” we compare, compete, and strain. Humility lowers the temperature of the soul. It releases us from the exhausting burden of self-importance.
Letting Go of What Is Too Great
“I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.”
How much of our anxiety comes from trying to manage what only God can handle?
We want to solve tomorrow’s problems today. We want to understand mysteries that were never meant for us to carry. We want control over outcomes that belong to the Lord alone.
The psalmist chooses restraint. He refuses to obsess over what is “too marvelous.” This is not ignorance — it is surrender. It is the recognition that some things are beyond us, and that is okay.
Faith does not require full understanding. It requires trust.
The Image of a Weaned Child
“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.”
This is one of the most tender images in all of Scripture.
A nursing infant cries from need. But a weaned child rests simply for the joy of being near the mother. The hunger has subsided. The striving has ceased. The relationship remains.
The psalmist describes a soul that is no longer frantic for answers, success, recognition, or immediate provision. Instead, it is content just to be with God.
Not demanding. Not bargaining. Not striving.
Just resting.
That is spiritual maturity.
It is the difference between coming to God only for what He gives and coming to Him simply because He is God.
Calming the Soul
Notice the phrasing: “I have calmed and quieted my soul.”
This quietness did not happen by accident. It was intentional.
In our time, quiet is rare. Notifications buzz. News cycles spin. Worries accumulate. But the psalmist shows us that inner stillness is possible — even in chaos.
Calming the soul is an act of trust. It is choosing to believe that God is at work even when we cannot see it. It is placing our restless thoughts into His hands and saying, “You are enough.”
For those building businesses, raising families, writing books, serving churches, or simply trying to make it through another week, this psalm offers a powerful reminder: you do not have to carry the universe on your shoulders.
God already does.Hope That Extends Beyond Today
“O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.”
The psalm ends not with self-focus, but with invitation.
Hope is not wishful thinking. It is confident expectation rooted in the character of God. The psalmist calls the entire community to anchor their future in the Lord — not just for today’s crisis, but forever.
Hope grows best in humble soil. When we release pride, surrender control, and quiet our souls, we create space for hope to flourish.
Living Psalm 131 Today
Psalm 131 is only three verses long, yet it speaks volumes:
Choose humility over self-exaltation.
Release what is beyond your control.
Quiet your soul in God’s presence.
Place your hope in Him — today and always.
A Reflection on Psalm 131
Humility in a World That Demands Attention
“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high…”
These words from Psalm 131 feel almost countercultural today.
We live in a world that rewards self-promotion. Social media tells us to build platforms. Culture tells us to “dream bigger,” “be louder,” “stand taller.” Yet this short psalm invites us into something radically different: humility.
The psalmist is not shrinking back in insecurity. He is not denying his worth. Instead, he is choosing a posture of trust. He is saying, “I don’t have to understand everything. I don’t have to control everything. I don’t have to elevate myself.”
There is deep freedom in that confession.
When our hearts are “lifted up” in pride, we are restless. When our eyes are “raised too high,” we compare, compete, and strain. Humility lowers the temperature of the soul. It releases us from the exhausting burden of self-importance.
Letting Go of What Is Too Great
“I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.”
How much of our anxiety comes from trying to manage what only God can handle?
We want to solve tomorrow’s problems today. We want to understand mysteries that were never meant for us to carry. We want control over outcomes that belong to the Lord alone.
The psalmist chooses restraint. He refuses to obsess over what is “too marvelous.” This is not ignorance—it is surrender. It is the recognition that some things are beyond us, and that is okay.
Faith does not require full understanding. It requires trust.
The Image of a Weaned Child
“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.”
This is one of the most tender images in all of Scripture.
A nursing infant cries from need. But a weaned child rests simply for the joy of being near the mother. The hunger has subsided. The striving has ceased. The relationship remains.
The psalmist describes a soul that is no longer frantic for answers, success, recognition, or immediate provision. Instead, it is content just to be with God.
Not demanding. Not bargaining. Not striving.
Just resting.
That is spiritual maturity.
It is the difference between coming to God only for what He gives and coming to Him simply because He is God.
Calming the Soul
Notice the phrasing: “I have calmedNotice the phrasing: “I have calmed and quieted my soul.”
This quietness did not happen by accident. It was intentional.
In our time, quiet is rare. Notifications buzz. News cycles spin. Worries accumulate. But the psalmist shows us that inner stillness is possible—even in chaos.
Calming the soul is an act of trust. It is choosing to believe that God is at work even when we cannot see it. It is placing our restless thoughts into His hands and saying, “You are enough.”
For those building businesses, raising families, writing books, serving churches, or simply trying to make it through another week, this psalm offers a powerful reminder: you do not have to carry the universe on your shoulders.
God already does.
Hope That Extends Beyond Today
“O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.”
The psalm ends not with self-focus, but with invitation.
Hope is not wishful thinking. It is confident expectation rooted in the character of God. The psalmist calls the entire community to anchor their future in the Lord—not just for today’s crisis, but forever.
Hope grows best in humble soil. When we release pride, surrender control, and quiet our souls, we create space for hope to flourish.
Living Psalm 131 Today
Psalm 131 is only three verses long, yet it speaks volumes:
Choose humility over self-exaltation.
Release what is beyond your control.
Quiet your soul in God’s presence.
Place your hope in Him—today and always.
In a world obsessed with noise and achievement, this psalm whispers a better way.
Be small in your own eyes. Be still in your spirit. Be secure in your God.
And like a weaned child resting peacefully, let your soul find its calm in Him.
a world obsessed with noise and achievement, this psalm whispers a better way.
Be small in your own eyes. Be still in your spirit. Be secure in your God.
And like a weaned child resting peacefully, let your soul find its calm in Him.
If you liked this article, please share your feedback and follow me for more stories.
Rick Herring thmjmj@gmail.com
P.S. There are many budget recipes on this Website. Many could be comfort food. Click on blogs in the upper left hand corner access the recipes and much more.
🌱 Easy Garlic Sesame Bean Sprouts (Budget-Friendly Side Dish)
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If you’re looking for a quick, healthy, and ultra-budget-friendly recipe, this Garlic Sesame Bean Sprouts dish is perfect. It’s ready in under 10 minutes, packed with crunch, and costs just a few dollars to make.
Perfect as a side dish, light lunch, or served alongside rice and grilled chicken.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)
1 lb fresh mung bean sprouts
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice vinegar (optional but recommended)
½ teaspoon sugar (optional)
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 green onions, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
💰 Estimated Cost: $3–$5 total
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Rinse the Sprouts
Rinse bean sprouts thoroughly under cold water. Remove any wilted pieces and drain well.
Step 2: Sauté Garlic
Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant (do not brown).
Step 3: Add Bean Sprouts
Add sprouts to the skillet. Stir frequently for 3–5 minutes. They should soften slightly but still remain crunchy.
Remove from heat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve warm or chilled.
🥗 Serving Ideas
Serve over steamed rice
Add to ramen or stir fry
Use as a topping for grain bowls
Pair with grilled chicken or tofu
💡 Budget Tip
Bean sprouts are one of the most affordable fresh vegetables available. You can even grow your own mung bean sprouts at home in just 3–5 days using dried mung beans and a mason jar.
🥦 Nutrition Highlights
Low calorie
High in fiber
Good source of Vitamin C
Naturally gluten-free (use gluten-free soy sauce if needed)
Click Here to learn more and join our BDM Grocery Club and get a vacation certificate.
The BDM Grocery can rejuvenate your community. Check it out today!
1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage for extra flavor)
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1 can (14–15 oz) diced tomatoes
4 cups chicken or beef broth
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
Cheese Topping
1 cup ricotta
1½ cups shredded mozzarella
½ cup grated parmesan
Optional: fresh basil or parsley
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Brown the Meat
4
In a large pot, cook the ground beef over medium heat.
Add onion and garlic; cook until softened.
Drain excess grease if needed.
2️⃣ Build the Flavor
4
Stir in marinara, diced tomatoes, broth, and Italian seasoning.
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10–15 minutes.
3️⃣ Cook the Noodles
4
Add broken lasagna noodles.
Simmer about 10 minutes until tender.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally so noodles don’t stick.
4️⃣ Add the Cheese Magic
4
Ladle soup into bowls.
Top each serving with ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan.
Let the cheese melt slightly — it creates that classic lasagna texture!
🔥 Budget Tips
✅ Swap beef for ground turkey to save money ✅ Use oven-ready noodles — often cheaper ✅ Cottage cheese works instead of ricotta ✅ Add spinach or zucchini to stretch servings
🥖 What to Serve With It
Garlic bread
Side salad
Toasted baguette
Even grilled cheese for ultimate comfort food
❄️ Storage
Fridge: Up to 4 days
Freeze: Without noodles for best texture
Add fresh pasta when reheating
To save money on groceries, Click Here to join our BDM Grocery Club. I am giving away a vacation certificate to any and all that join this program under me.
I hope better late than never appeals in this case.
Sunday – Thanks to Deacon Patrick, I was able to attend 11 AM Mass at Saint Luke Catholic Church in Irving, Texas.
Monday – Doctor’s appointments all day. A midday church service. One of our residents gave us some biblical references of blacks in the Bible and ended with some of her family history and the history blacks being freed from slavery. Also the origin of Juneteenth, now a national holiday..
Tuesday -Errands at 9 AM and 1 PM. Birthday card signing for the residents having a birthday in March.The cast for the upcoming murder mystery met and received the program and were assigned their parts. The Muder Mystery will be presented on February 19th at 6 PM.
Wednesday – Bible Study as studdy the history of certain books of the Bible. There was Bingo and an evening Church Service
Thursday – The Black History of the Cowboys. Although most of the Cowboys that rode the range and tended the cattle were black or Indain (native American) the Rodeo was not integrated until the 1980’s)
Mark Dunn entertained us with songs while tickling the ivory. The Drum Class returned and had a nice reception. There was Happy Hour and open Pool Play.
Friday – Started with a trip to the Dollar Tree. Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics and Movie Night.
Saturday – Reciting of the Rosary in the Chapel and a trip to attend the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra.
As you can well see another great week WFV Dance will be on the 17th from 6 PM to 8 PM. Please plan to attend.
To learn more about West Fork Village in Irving, Texas, for you or a loved one, call 972-721-1`500.
If you liked this article, please share your feedback and follow me for more stories.
Rick Herring thmjmj@gmail.com
P.S. I hope you will visit theTHM Website soon. There you will find a Varity of Blogs. Blogs of a Spiritual nature, humourous, recipes, and Blogs on the programs THM is promoting. Some come with vacation certificate for join one of the programs. Click Here to gain access. The Blogs can be accessed by clicklng on Blogs in the upper left hand coner and the pages are listed in the upper right hand corner.
Works great with rotisserie chicken leftovers or any cooked chicken
Minimal spices required
Makes 6 large servings for a low cost per bowl
👉 Estimated cost: $8–$11 total 👉 Cost per serving: about $1.50–$1.80
🛒 Ingredients
2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie, leftover baked chicken, or boiled chicken thighs for cheapest option)
2 cans (15 oz) white beans, drained
1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
2 cups chicken broth
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
4 oz cream cheese (optional but makes it creamy and filling)
Optional toppings (use what you already have): Shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, cilantro, or jalapeños.
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Sauté the Aromatics
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Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot.
Cook onion for 3–4 minutes until soft.
Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
👉 This step builds flavor without costing extra.
2️⃣ Add the Main Ingredients
4
Stir in chicken, beans, corn, broth, and spices.
Bring to a gentle boil.
3️⃣ Simmer & Make It Creamy
4
Reduce heat and simmer 15–20 minutes.
Stir in cream cheese until melted.
👉 Want it thicker? Mash some beans before adding them.
⭐ Money-Saving Tips
✅ Use chicken thighs instead of breasts ✅ Skip cream cheese for a broth-style chili ✅ Buy store-brand canned goods ✅ Freeze leftovers — it reheats beautifully
🥄 Classic Chia Pudding (Simple, Creamy, and Nutritious)
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Chia pudding is one of the easiest recipes you can make — no cooking required, minimal ingredients, and packed with fiber, protein, and omega-3s. It’s perfect for breakfast, a healthy dessert, or even a quick snack.
✅ Ingredients
3 tablespoons chia seeds
1 cup milk (almond, oat, coconut, or regular dairy)
1–2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but recommended)
Fresh fruit for topping
👩🍳 How to Make It
1. Combine Ingredients
4
In a bowl or mason jar, stir together the chia seeds, milk, sweetener, and vanilla. Mix well so the seeds don’t clump.
👉 Pro Tip: Stir again after about 5 minutes — this prevents the seeds from settling at the bottom.
2. Let It Set
4
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but overnight is best. The chia seeds absorb the liquid and create a rich, pudding-like texture.
3. Add Toppings & Enjoy
4
Top with your favorite fruits, nuts, coconut flakes, or granola for added crunch and flavor.
Popular combinations:
🍓 Strawberry + almond slices
🍌 Banana + peanut butter
🥭 Mango + coconut
🫐 Blueberry + granola
⭐ Helpful Tips
Thicker pudding: Add 1 extra tablespoon of chia seeds.
Thinner pudding: Stir in a splash of milk before serving.
Meal prep friendly: Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Boost nutrition: Mix in protein powder or Greek yogurt.
P.S. Now you can save money on groceries by joining the BDM Grocery Club. Click Here to learn more and get a free vacation certificate, good at your choose of one of 3500 locations, for joining.
There are few experiences in life as universal - and as unwanted - as pain. Whether it arrives through loss, disappointment, illness, broken relationships, or shattered expectations, pain has a way of interrupting our carefully constructed routines. It refuses to be ignored. As C.S. Lewis wisely observed in The Problem of Pain, while we may overlook pleasure, pain insists on being heard. It is, in his words, God’s megaphone to awaken a world that has grown spiritually deaf.
The Quiet Language of Pleasure Pleasure is gentle. It does not demand our attention; it simply invites us to enjoy the moment. A beautiful sunset, a shared laugh, the warmth of friendship - these are whispers of grace woven into everyday life. Yet paradoxically, comfort can lull us into complacency. When everything feels secure, we rarely question our direction or examine the deeper condition of our hearts.
Pleasure often reassures us that all is well, even when we are drifting away from what truly matters.
The Inner Voice of Conscience Between pleasure and pain lies another form of divine communication: conscience. It is the still, small voice nudging us toward truth, integrity, and compassion. Conscience corrects without humiliating and guides without forcing. But like a faint radio signal, it can easily be drowned out by the noise of ambition, distraction, and self-interest.
When ignored long enough, that quiet guidance fades into the background - not because it disappears, but because we stop listening.
When God Raises His Voice Pain is different. Pain does not whisper. Pain disrupts. Pain confronts. Pain demands reflection.
It is often only when our illusions crumble that we begin asking life’s most important questions: What truly matters? Where am I placing my hope? What kind of person am I becoming? Is my life rooted in something eternal, or only in what can be lost?
Though we would never choose suffering, it frequently becomes the turning point that reshapes our character and clarifies our priorities. Pain as a Spiritual Awakening
History - and countless personal testimonies - reveal a profound truth: many people discover their deepest strength during their hardest seasons. Hardship strips away superficial securities and exposes the foundations upon which we are building our lives. Pain can soften hearts that comfort hardened.
It can restore empathy where indifference once lived. It can redirect lives that had quietly wandered off course. What feels like interruption may actually be invitation - a call to grow, to trust, and to seek meaning beyond temporary circumstances. Not Punishment, But Purpose
It is important to understand that pain is not always a sign of divine punishment. More often, it is a tool of refinement. Just as fire purifies gold, adversity can shape resilience, humility, and spiritual depth. Consider how often growth follows discomfort: Muscles strengthen through resistance. Wisdom develops through mistakes. Courage emerges from fear.
In much the same way, the soul is often expanded through trials. Listening for the Message The challenge is not merely enduring pain, but learning from it. If suffering is indeed a megaphone, the question becomes: Are we listening?
Rather than asking only, “How do I escape this?” we might also ask, “What is this teaching me?”
Pain may be urging us to slow down. To reconcile. To release bitterness. To reorder our priorities.
To lean on faith rather than self-sufficiency. When approached with openness, even the hardest experiences can become catalysts for transformation. Hope Beyond the Hurt
One of the great mysteries of life is that joy and sorrow often coexist. The very places where we have been wounded can become the places from which compassion flows most freely. Those who have suffered often become the most sensitive to the suffering of others. Pain enlarges our capacity to love.
And while it may feel overwhelming in the moment, it rarely has the final word. Healing comes. Perspective grows. Strength returns. What once seemed unbearable becomes part of a story marked not only by survival, but by renewal.
An Invitation to Wake Up If pleasure is God’s whisper and conscience His voice, then perhaps pain truly is His megaphone - not meant to destroy us, but to awaken us.
To awaken us to our need for grace. To remind us that we are not self-sufficient. To draw our eyes toward what is eternal rather than temporary. The next time pain interrupts your life, resist the urge to see it only as an enemy. Instead, consider the possibility that it carries a message - one that, if received with courage and faith, may lead you toward a deeper, richer, and more purposeful life.
For sometimes the loudest moments are the ones that finally teach us how to listen.
Please like and subscribe to get alerted to the latest Blogs.
Rick Herring
P.S. The THM Website is now posting budget recipes. To check them out and the many other Blogs there, Click Here. Then in the upper left hand corner click on THM Blog.
