By John Jarvis

Impeccable Hughes Marino Mini Goalers,

If you read my October Mini Goal post you already know what I did last month to “Acknowledge our Heroes,” as I called out Briana, Elizabeth, Dean and Jane for their heroism, their poise and their undaunted confidence in the human spirit while enduring unthinkable tragedy firsthand.

That’s what I did to acknowledge the heroes in our midst, and what did you do?

Briana Waris acknowledged a few of her heroes that she met in 2017 who displayed selfless acts of kindness. Her first hero was the man who helped her become a first-time homeowner by picking her to buy his home. When she was handed over the keys, he gave her a three-hour tour of her new home, including naming everything she needed to know as a first-time homebuyer and every detail of the house. He also gifted her with an American flag that she proudly hangs outside her home every day!

Other heroes of Briana were her (now) friends that she met in Las Vegas at Route 91 in 2017, who took her in as a stranger during her greatest time of need. In the past year, they have become a second family to her, and speak almost daily and have visited each other eight times!

Briana and Elizabeth Carvalho also met a special individual in 2017 who rose to the occasion to help others cope in the San Diego community and across the country with the tragedy in Las Vegas. Dr. Shiva Ghaed led a Route 91 support group that met every Monday night for a year to help survivors cope, heal and bond together as a community. This one dedicated act of kindness has turned Route 91 survivors into a true family. They are both so grateful to have met some exceptional people in 2017 that have shown them true kindness and compassion!

I am so impressed by all the good people doing amazing things to acknowledge and appreciate one another. It all adds up, it all matters, and it all helps make the world a better place.

You know what else makes the world a better place? Art.

Art: the expression of human skill and imagination creating works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

You guessed it, the November Mini Goal is to:

Support the Arts

There are so many directions we can take this. Art can be paintings, music, dance, theater, food. Yep, food can be art, just watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi! And notice your Thanksgiving dinner table!

And because art is made to be appreciated for its beauty and emotional power rather than financial return, the art and the artists need to be supported. That’s where we come in.

Big gestures, small gestures—we all just do what we can. And it all adds up, it all matters, and it helps to make the world a better place.

This is how we grow.