Today’s Solutions: February 04, 2026

First responders, like doctors, nurses, and firefighters, work tirelessly to take care of those in need.  For months and months, their workload has been exacerbated by the pandemic, so let’s all take the time to appreciate their fortitude both physically and mentally.

Thankful Thursdays prompt #5: Write a letter of gratitude to a nurse, doctor, firefighter, or other first responders.

Send letters to people you personally know who are working on the healthcare frontlines or send them to local clinics or hospitals. If you want to go above and beyond, drop off a meal or homemade treat at a fire station or hospital.

This is the fifth installation of our Thankful Thursdays series, a collaboration with Lost Art of Love Letters and Santa Barbara Response Network. Each Thursday, we will share a gratitude prompt from Lost Art of Love Letters to help you dive deeper into who and what you are grateful for.

Lost Art of Love Letters, started by artist Sondra Weiss, encourages everyone to practice creative letter writing on a wide variety of topics from mental wellness, social justice, and environmental protection to gratitude and self-love. Love letters from her project have made their way to museums, galleries, aquariums, and even the Climate Action Summit at the United Nations where environmental letters written by global youth were read to world leaders. 

Share pictures of your love letters with us on social media @optimistdaily, @sbrn, and @lostartofloveletters with #ignitecaring.

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

Yale will offer free tuition to families earning under $200,000 starting in 2026

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The prestigious Yale University is opening its doors even wider. Beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, families earning ...

Read More

5 smart ways to prep your garden now for a stunning spring bloom

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Spring might feel like a distant dream, but a few mild winter days offer the perfect window to ...

Read More

Forget plastic: Here are some greener ways to freeze food

While Ziploc bags and plastic wrap can be useful for sealing up food that’s going into the freezer, there are better alternatives—ones that are ...

Read More

Introducing “True American”— a mini-series

Last month on Independence Day, The New Yorker published an issue featuring cover art by graphic illustrator Christ Ware. The narrative piece, called “House ...

Read More