A Little Bit of Hope...and a Sandwich.

Politicians and various other leaders use 'hope' as a marketing term, often followed by "I'm (insert name here) and I approve this message".

They blast their commercials incessantly, and blast each other (as though auditioning for the 'Poop du Jour' musical in the monkey cage at the zoo) promising hope for a better world.

It's disheartening...it really is.

Know who I feel worst for?

The people whose hope is already running on fumes.

Those who've been kicked in the teeth by life so often that they can't even smile anymore. Many of them are really good people at heart.

Here's what really sucks.

Some of them are actually better human beings than those campaigning to lead them.

This morning my very cool friend Laurie (and her brilliantly wise pup, The Dalai Nala) shared this message on social media: "Promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate", along with the photo below.

What could have been a full-blown rant on politics (I mean hell, they're giving us plenty of material) will now shift to an opportunity for YOU to provide hope, inspired by my furry friend.

Instead, I want to focus on hope...real hope.

The hope we get when we see someone perform an act of kindness.

The hope we feel when we see a company or organization doing the thing.

The hope I got this morning when I saw a video of one turtle helping to flip over another who'd taken a tumble (and was seeing the world upside down).

You want to give hope too...right?

I bet you can.

If you've got the time, contact a shelter in your area and ask if they could use a brown bag lunch (or two) each week.

My family and friends (collectively known as BeachBum Philanthropy) have been turning donations into bag lunches for homeless veterans helped by Liberty House in Manchester NH for nearly two years...and loving it.

Not sure if that is in your comfort zone?

No worries.

Have you ever been to Subway, or a similar sandwich shop?

Pop a $5.00 gift card (or two) into your wallet and wait for the opportunity to share it with someone who could use a little hope (or renewed faith in humanity)...and a sandwich.

Share with any person in need. Could be a homeless person. Could be a co-worker who forgot his/her lunch one day. Could be a friend who needs a smile.

There will ALWAYS be negativity in the world.

I see people get caught up in it every day.

Kindness can make it go away, even just for a moment.

Some people actually wake up every day, practically BEGGING for something to scream about, trying to affect as many people as they can with their poison.

There will always be dogsh**t on the lawn of life.

I'm not one of those speakers who thinks the whole lawn is coming up roses.

We have two choices:

1) We can point to it so that others don't step in it.

2) We can do a double-foot-stomp and track it everywhere, stinking up the whole yard.

I prefer to make people aware, then guide them to a better, happier, more hopeful place with a kind word, a high-five, a handshake, a hug...and a sandwich.

Will YOU?

Now in his 12th year as The Motivational Firewood™ Guy, Steve Gamlin continues to share his back-to-basics blend of motivation and humor with corporate audiences around the country.

Drawing from a decade in the radio industry, 7 years of stand-up comedy and his lifelong personal development journey, Steve shares 'real' messages for 'real' people.