random acts of kindness

 

Yesterday's news: a police officer, seeing a homeless man shoeless, bought him a pair of shoes. A man, broke with few dollars to his name, finds a wallet with $200.00 cash at a Wal-mart and turns it in to the store manager. A woman, with only a few dollars to spare, puts all of her change in the red kettle for the Salvation Army. A mystery donor in Minnesota finds random red kettles and drops in ten one hundred dollar bills. Last year $23,000.00 was collected this way- so far this year: $8,000.00! An old woman knits over 150 mittens, hats and scarves for the homeless to keep them warm this winter. A Wisconsin woman collects hats, mittens and scarves to send to the troops overseas. A ten year old girl makes her own costume jewelry to sell at craft fairs to raise money for a non-profit horse ranch in Minnesota to carry out it's mission of helping addicts and alcoholics achieve sobriety. An author donates her money to helping children overcome the effects of living with parents hooked on meth.
I could go on and on...and I will...it's just that we don't hear too often about these acts of kindness and generosity. It's always the bad side of news. The lying, stealing, cheating, philandering stuff that makes my stomach churn. Although we can't change THAT news, we CAN make a difference in our own way.
Be a "hero" and do some good. Every day! You don't need a press conference or anyone's permission. It doesn't have to be videotaped for youtube...just do it!!! The best things in life are free...the best gifts are given from the heart. I'll just bet you that homeless man was less concerned that those shoes were "name brand," and more comcerned that now his feet would be warm. This is contrary to a TV commercial I just saw of a mom who gave her two kids name brand shoes as her daughter sneered, "these had better not be crappy..." and then was delighted to see the brand name instead.
JUST WHAT ARE WE TEACHING OUR KIDS WHEN WE CATER TO THEIR EVERY WHIM LIKE THIS?? When I was young, we were poor. I lived off of hand outs...and as my mom said,"I had better be thankful for them because they didn't have to give them to me!"
I was.
AND...I had to write a thank you note also! Now, there is a novel idea...a thank you note!!!
Of course I also grew up in the "think of the starving kids in India, they would kill for your food, you will not waste it!" era.
Teach your kids manners...they can only learn it from you. Show how compassion and mercy play a part in this world. Do it because it matters. Do it because the world needs heroes.
Just...do it!