It seems especially unfair when bad things happen to good people - to people who shine.

(It's an idea that seems especially potent today - September 11 - a time when we must remember the senseless acts of terrorism from nine years ago.) 

It isn't nearly as bothersome when the person falling on hard luck can be described as lazy, self-centered, self-promoting, or inwardly focused.  When that person falls on hard times, we often explain it by saying things such as, "He deserved it," "Serves him right," or "What goes around comes around."

When good people go through hard times, you want to shield them from the inevitable sadness and pain they are being forced to endure.  You want to protect their goodness, so their hearts don't become hardened and they don't become angry or jaded.  You want to do it for two reasons.  First, you want to shield them because you worry about whether a person responsible for creating such happiness can handle such sadness.  Secondly, we want to protect these people, because selfishly, we still want access to their goodness.  When people who shine are healthy and happy, they are in the best position to work their magic and to make their corner of the world a brighter place.

I think today's nominee is a perfect example.  There is an entire community negatively impacted by the sadness of a single woman.  Not just any woman.  A happy, joyful, and passionate woman.  A woman who, for twelve years, has poured herself into the lives of preschoolers at a school in Arizona.  Take a look at what her nominator had to say: 

"Stella was one of the first employees at our precious school back in 1998. Since then she has served in many positions but all of the positions have touched the lives of our preschoolers. She loves them, brings them comfort and motherly love during the 7.5 hours they are away from their parents. She has the heart of gold. Stella lost her husband Waldo this past March unexpectantly. Waldo was her soul mate, the person she was going to grow old with. She has returned to work after taking off 4 months off and she needs to know that she is loved and that her love for children does not go unnoticed. We need to lift Stella up as she has done that for children for the past 12 years."

I have no question Stella will eventually manage the sadness of her loss and will find her way back to serving the students.  She will, because Stella has Shine in her DNA and people who Shine cannot help but find ways to make a difference.

And, when you make a difference you heart almost always feels better and more joyful.

Try it.

Participate in the Yellow Envelope Project this week and see what I mean.

Participating is easy.  Simply write Stella a short note letting her know you are sorry to hear about her recent loss.  Remind her she is a force for good in her community and that her presence makes the school a better, brighter place.  Let her know there are people all over the country rooting her on and wishing that the hole left in her heart could be filled with our feelings of admiration and gratitude.

Seal your note in a yellow envelope (or a white envelope decorated with yellow markers or stickers).  Place the words, "Yellow Envelope Project" in the upper left hand corner and mail it to the address below.

Commit to mailing your envelope before next Saturday when we meet to recognize our next worthy recipient and, in turn, come one person closer to powering the planet with Shine!

Shining off until Monday.