As a journalist, you are often called upon to cover difficult topics such as accidents, suicide, mental health, and other traumatic events. While it can be challenging to report on such stories, it is important to remember that there is always a positive side to every situation.
When reporting on accidents, it is essential to focus on the bravery and heroism of those who risked their lives to help others. Highlighting the stories of everyday heroes who have gone above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of others can inspire and motivate readers to be more compassionate and selfless.
When reporting on suicide, it is important to remember that there is always hope. Highlighting the stories of individuals who have overcome depression and suicidal thoughts can provide hope and inspiration to those who may be struggling with their mental health. Sharing stories of those who have found purpose and meaning in their lives after experiencing difficult times can also be a source of inspiration.
Mental health is another topic that can be challenging to cover, but it is also one that is essential to report on. Highlighting the stories of individuals who have received treatment and are now living fulfilling lives can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Reporting on new treatments and therapies can also provide hope to those who are struggling with mental health issues.
It is important to remember that as journalists, we have the power to bring positive change to our communities. By focusing on the positive aspects of difficult situations, we can inspire and motivate others to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of those around them.
So, my fellow journalists, don’t be afraid to use a different lens when reporting on difficult topics. It may require more creativity and effort, but the end result is worth it. We have the power to make a difference and bring out the beauty in even the most challenging of situations. Let’s use that power to create a brighter, more hopeful future for us all.
Viet Bao Louisville - Di Tran - Drop the ME and Focus on the OTHERS - BOOK by Di Tran
SUMMARY
In this section of Chapter one of “Drop the ME and Focus on the OTHERS” by Di Tran, the author recounts a childhood experience that shaped his self-determination and will to protect his family. His mother insisted they retrieve a dirty mattress from a dumpster despite his initial hesitation. He learned the value of determination and the importance of family from his mother’s actions. Later, their good fortune continued when Catholic Charities offered to provide movers to help them transport any items they needed to their new location. The author reflects on the lessons he learned from his mother about the will of God and the importance of effort in achieving success.
Di Tran – Drop the ME and Focus on the OTHERS – BOOK
“Mom, it’s not like we never slept on a dirt floor before. We were dirt poor, and I used to sleep on the ground in our mud hut. How hard can it get? We can handle this and sleep on the floor without a mattress.” I tried to comfort Mom about not having a mattress for us to sleep on, but more importantly, I was trying to avoid the activity of digging through the dumpsters. I realize that poor was not the point, now that I reflect on and understand why I hesitated. I meant what I said about being poor, and it was truthful, and it would have been totally fine. However, I was uncomfortable digging through trash. As poor as we had been in the past, there was never a time that we dug through trash hunting for items. First, Vietnam was and still is a third-world country, and especially in a poor village like ours, there was no government agency that picked up trash, nor did the people pile their trash in one place. Second, poor people’s trash in Vietnam would never have generated anything worth taking. Third, the idea of digging through trash is the lowest of the low in our mindset, and it is hard to fathom. At the age of 12, I already knew how this would affect me in terms of my self-esteem and perceived status in life. There could have been nothing worse for me at that moment in time. This was the pivotal point that made me who I am today.
Firmly and carefully, Mom stated, “No, Son. At the least, my children will have what other children have, even if it is of the worst quality, “ in this case, a mattress. “I will not settle for less than this,” she responded to my hesitation. Today, as I write this book, I now have three children of my own, ages five, six, and seven. As a parent, I strongly feel what my mom meant at that moment. Her love for her children and family has always surpassed her fear of self-doubt, public criticism, and people’s thoughts of her. Most importantly, she was determined to make the best out of a bad situation, and she knew what that minimum was: a mattress. That was her driving force, her only thought, and nothing could stop her from achieving that goal. I learned self-determination from Mom, and the level of this became explosive when her children’s interests were concerned in comparison to the norm. Not having a mattress was not an option, and so I tagged along with Mom to the dumpster.
Di Tran and His Mom – Dig the Dumpster for their first mattress in USA
The dumpster was a few blocks from our house, and Mom and I walked there in the cold weather; there was even light snow falling. We were both lightly dressed, wearing our tropical layered clothes, but we did not feel physical discomfort, only the mental heaviness of what we were about to do, dig in the dumpster. For the first time in my life, I felt like an adult man at this age of 12. I was on a mission with Mom, for something that we would hopefully only have to do only once in our lifetime. I felt a strong sense of determination that I inherited from her, and this made me happy. I also began to recognize at this exact moment who I must become, a man of the family with a strong level of determination and will to protect my family at all levels. There was no shame, no hardship, and no criticism that would interfere with the focus we had on our family, as Mom and I walked to the dumpster. “There it is, Son. Get in there and pull it out for me. I will pull it and you push from inside.” Mom directed me to the dumpster where the dirty mattress was. It was wet, heavy, dirty, and stained gray. It smelled of trash and urine. I no longer hesitated and put forth all my effort to get the mattress out from the dumpster and drag it to the temporary home, which we would soon have to exit and move into the Americana apartments. I accomplished something significant for myself, my mom and my family, and I felt quite satisfied. “We did it! Our family now has a mattress!” Mom exhaled with a smile, and seemingly lightened heart.
Unexpectedly, our Vietnamese translator from Catholic Charities came over to the house where my mom and I stood after our accomplished mission. The translator looked at us and glanced at the dirty mattress and spoke, “Catholic Charities has decided that this temporary house that you are staying in now, will no longer be used for this purpose after your family leaves. Therefore, they will throw away everything in this house after you leave. You are free to take anything you need to the Americana Apartments.” “Anything and everything we can use?” Mom asked the translator. “Yes, but not only that. Catholic Charities will provide the movers with trucks to help you move them into your new location, since they would have to throw all these away anyway.” “Isn’t this the will of God, Son?” Mom asked me when retelling this story. “Son, remember God will never give you more than what you can handle.” She taught us about faith in God. “But also know that life is about giving all the effort you can by maximizing your brain and physical strength for good; then God will take on the rest.” I gain greater comprehension of Mom’s teachings as I grow and live through life’s challenges. I can only recognize God through doing, not sitting, praying, or waiting for things to happen. Only when I maximize my God-given capability, can I say: “God, now you do your magic based on what I did.” God never seems to never fail me and my family.
