Does hoping / prayer help?

So there's been a lot of tragedy going around in the world these days.....!

Obviously, there's all the crap going on in Japan - the earthquake, the tsunami, the 2nd earthquake, and now this media frenzy about their Nuclear reactor - but a lot of friends / people at my work have just had bad things happen to them for no reason:

- a co-worker's mother passed away
- another co-worker has lung cancer
- a third co-worker suffered a stroke
- another friend came down with breast cancer

And it just goes without saying that we all sign "Get Well Soon" cards and write sincere, heart-felt messages about how they'll "be in our thoughts & prayers".

But those of us who are a little more *cynical* tend to think that prayers and well-wishes are bullshit and don't do anything but make those who say them feel better and dare everyone to do something more.

(And by "us" I'm referring to those of us in the general E-society where Internet trolls roam)

Now I have to admit that there is a certain truth to this criticism of praying and well-wishing -- that it's a lazy version of "caring without really caring" -- I don't really think that people do it just to make themselves feel better about not doing anything.  A lot of times, there's not much else you *can* do but hope that things get better for someone.....especially if they live thousands of miles away or are suffering from a stroke. 

Plus - I actually think that it helps sometimes.  

And if you think about it, keeping someone in your prayers during their time of need is a lot like wishing them a happy birthday over the internet - THEY'RE BOTH FORMS OF WELL-WISHING!  

So to those of us who call everyone out for not doing more than praying / hoping / raising awareness, etc. and just so happened to wish me a happy birthday on facebook

WHY DIDN'T YOU DO MORE & GET ME A BIRTHDAY PRESENT, HUH??  

Just sayin'......!

**EDIT**

For my birthday, you can line dance for Charity like these guys did.