The news recently has been filled with tragedy and violence. From police shootings to civilian shootings to the constant bloodshed in the Middle East, we are living in a very cruel and troubling time. However, it is important, now more than ever, to remember that there is still good in our world. It is all too easy to be consumed by the pit of despair that our world seems to be falling into, but I believe that the world is still full of good people. We all must remember to look for the good in our lives, to note and reflect on every random act of kindness that we see or do and realize that it does matter. Even something seemingly inconsequential can change someone’s day. Positivity goes a long way, especially in times when it seems that there is only negativity.
With this in mind, I thought it prudent to share some random acts of kindness I have experienced recently. Perhaps others have also experienced these actions, or perhaps some have themselves partaken in these acts. But either way, I hope that this article leads people to truly appreciate the good in their lives and strive to pass it on to others in whatever way they can.
- I regularly witness passengers on the metro giving up their seats for mothers with young children or for passengers traveling with suitcases.
- When riding on a bus in New York City to visit the Statue of Liberty, a young boy gave up his seat so that an older woman could sit.
- On the train ride to NYC, a young woman got off at her stop and the young woman who was sitting next to her, a complete stranger, ran after her to give her a bag that she had forgotten.
- On another train ride, when the conductor came around to collect the tickets, a woman had gotten on the wrong train and had paid for a less expensive ticket. When she was not able to come up with the money to pay the difference, the conductor showed her mercy and told her not to worry about it.
- While waiting for the metro, I witnessed a serviceman in uniform gave a donation to a homeless veteran in a wheelchair.
- I have also been amazed at the number of kind people who approach me whenever I’m staring at a map and ask if they can help direct me to where I want to go.
And in public news:
- Inmates in Texas broke out of a holding cell to save a guard’s life who experienced a medical emergency. – http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/11/us/texas-inmates-escape-save-officer-trnd/
- After the Euro Finals, a young Portuguese boy hugged a crying French fan. – http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36761385
- Over the weekend, members of the Black Lives Matter movement and white counter protestors ended up hugging and joining forces in Dallas. – http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/opposing-dallas-protest-groups-hug-it-out/
These kinds of stories are never front page news, but they should be. The media reports what sells, and what sells is violence. Only consumers, people like you and me, can change that. We must support news stations and media outlets that highlight the good in our world, so that we can break out of the downward spiral that our society has fallen into.
For anyone looking for uplifting and inspirational stories, the Good News Network (http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/) is filled with enough positive stories to lift anyone’s day.
“Only in the darkness can you see the stars” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.