Hello friendly stranger!
We live in a whirlwind world. Each day is filled with packed agendas, to-do lists, classes and meetings. We prioritize our responsibilities and map out our goals. We track our lives by ticks of the hour hand, walk with our heads down, eyes on our phones.
And sometimes we forget we've wrapped ourselves in a bubble of me, me, me. What do I want? Where should I go next? How do other people see me?
I'm not trying to be patronizing; I'm equally guilty of self-centredness. But it's so important to be aware of our actions.
A quick poll of a 7th grade class about life-goals will garner many similar wishes to make better the world. I truly believe everyone can carry sympathy and goodness in their hearts -- sadness for famished children or sympathy for victims of injustice.
I just think that we sometimes get lost. We want to settle down first, build a stable life and find a secure job before committing to donations to charities or volunteer hours to a local shelter. Along the way to our quest for personal achievement we forget the rest. Those who lack opportunities, lack basic necessities, freedoms or support.
We don't all need to be superheroes of the planet, not right away at least. Start small. Say thank you to the tireless caretaker in your school. Drop off a box of baked goods at your local police station. Leave anonymous notes of encouragement for Valentine's day. Treat a homeless person to lunch and help them shelter from the cold. Small and simple -- a random act of kindness is all it takes to get things rolling. There's no better day than today.
Start by making someone smile. And I promise, you'll be smiling too.
:)
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