Helping Colleagues in Their Time of Need

I had a bunch of topics teed up now that I’m back in LA after 2 weeks of constant travel. I felt excited to write because it’s a cathartic outlet for me and saves me from doing email.

But no words would come out this weekend.

After watching the terrorist activities in Beirut and Paris and blog post seemed trite. It’s terrible that a group of Islamic extremists is having some success in perverting the Muslim religion in an attempt to divide the rational world of moderate people. But I feel equally confident the silent majorities in all places will rally back. I lived in France for a couple of years and love the country and its people. I was deeply saddened to read about friends who had lost dear friends and my other French friends who feel victimized by the brutality of last week. I was in Paris 9/13/01 and the outpouring of sympathy from the people of Paris was comforting and I feel the need to reciprocate.

I lived in London on 7/7/05 after the bombing and remember vividly the emotions the first time I got back on the Tube — being more vigilant of those around me until one slowly sinks back into a routine of realizing that life goes back to normal for the majority of us as we endure.

And of course I feel sympathy for the Jews in Israel who have been dealing with this kind of terrorism for decades now and the recent uprisings of senseless stabbings of normal citizens and the constant bombing and terrorism that surrounds the country.

But the most heart-breaking news that touched me personally this weekend was learning that a young family in one of the companies in which I’ve invested — Mitu — unexpected lost a father and a husband. Joseph Harris passed away unexpectedly leaving behind his wife Lisandra and 3 young children: 7, 4 and 8 weeks old.

So the small thing one could do — even though I know you don’t know Lisandra — is if you would consider donating even $10 or whatever you can to their fund to support the family. Don’t feel obligated but when a community acts to help a colleague in need it’s surprising what an impact can be made with a large amount of small contributions. I know it’s unrelated to the tragic events of the past week but it’s my small part of trying to do some good if just for a day.

Be well. Be safe. Be good.

And paraphrasing the words of John Oliver on Last Week Tonight, “Fuck those terrorist assholes and the ideology they represent.”