“No one with curly hair is allowed into our clubhouse,” said Kimmy as she pushed Judy on the shoulder so hard she fell down into the dirt. “What if I made my hair straight? Could I come in then?” pleaded Judy. “No way, because we know you are a curly, and that’s the rule,” responded Kimmy with a sing-song, told-you-so tone.
Among the members of the club, most winced in discomfort, while a few nodded and smirked in agreement. But then Danny stood up and shouted, “Who made you God?” as he swept past Kimmy to pick Judy up off the ground and brush the dirt off her back. “Yeah!” shouted Ellen and Gabriel as they stood up in support.
“Wait a minute, you whiney babies!” Kimmy shouted back, “I am right and you are wrong, so what I say goes!” “Really?!” said Danny like a court room lawyer ready to present incriminating evidence. “I have known you your whole life, and I happen to know that your mom has curly hair and so did you when you were a baby. Not that it matters. We all count, and we all belong. Judy, welcome to the clubhouse.”
There was only one bully – Kimmy – and she depended on the others to follow her lead against Judy. Even at the age of 9 years old, Danny, a justice-minded child, knew that it was not right to push others around and discriminate. Most of the kids felt the same, and once Danny stood up, they supported him and Judy. Here’s the thing though: it could have gone down differently if Danny had chosen to stay safe and say nothing. He showed his goodness and courage when he faced off with Kimmy and stood up for Judy. It was his action that made a big difference for all who were present.
Getting Out of the Comfort Zone
Sometimes we need to go outside of our comfort zone to do the right thing. When people are more comfortable standing back and waiting to see if someone else will step up, they miss the opportunity to make a pivotal difference in someone’s life.
Every Day People Doing Amazing Things
Kathryn stands up for the rights of others on a regular basis, without thinking twice about her own benefit. It doesn’t matter if she knows the people who are being hurt or oppressed; she just wants to have their back and help make a positive change.
Mary sees someone in pain, hungry, or struggling, and she puts aside her own plans to help others with their burdens. It costs her in energy, time, and money, but she doesn’t hesitate. If they need her, she is there. Her goodness is so great that the people who love her step in to remind her to take time for herself, and they carry her when she is weary. It is love in motion at all times around Mary.
John retired early so he could help build houses for Habitat for Humanity and volunteer for the Red Cross disaster relief. In between all that, he tutors adults who could not finish high school and helps them prepare for the GED, so they can get better jobs or go to college. He has always had generous heart, always ready to be of service and looking for ways to contribute his gifts to make a difference for others.
Tim is a college student on a campus surrounded by people who are homeless. On many occasions, he has taken the time to chat with a number of the people who reside on the streets. He sees them and knows many of them by their names and stories. When he spots them on the street or across campus, he yells hello to them by name and will often go the distance to meet them and shake their hand. He offers respect and conversation, and in turn, they teach him how to stay safe in the rough parts of town.
One of Joe’s long time best friends was diagnosed with brain cancer. After the surgeries and chemo, his friend noticeably declined in his memory and ability to talk and laugh like they used to. His friend’s life changed drastically, but Joe’s loyalty to his friend did not. It’s been several years since the diagnosis, and Joe makes a habit of taking his friend out, spending time with him, and caring about him even though they share very little now. He is loyal and true, and he always will be.
An old neighbor of mine was waiting at a stop light when a horrible motorcycle accident happened right in front of her. The motorcycle rider was badly hurt and laying in the street. She called 911, braved traffic, and ran over to help him. While they waited for the paramedics, she held the young man, cradling his head and shoulders in her lap as she talked calmly to him, telling him he was going to be alright. His injuries would have caused anyone to gasp and possibly pass out, but she stayed focused on him and kept him alive. He recovered, but lost one of his legs from the injuries. He had been a body builder, and not one to be stopped. After he recovered, he continued to weight train and compete, and he decided to be a voice of encouragement for those whose lives changed in an instant. His message is that life has its twists and turns, but there is always another meaningful road to take.
Richard is an advocate for children and others who are vulnerable. More than once, he has intervened when a random parent, at the end of his or her last nerve, took it out on their child. He steps in without regard for his own safety and stops the attacks in the best ways he knows how. He is moved to help the helpless and, when possible, to calm the outraged. He is fierce and kind, and he puts both to good use.
On Gracie’s 13th birthday, she had a party, but instead of gifts, she asked her guests to do random acts of kindness with her. At the beginning of her party, she and her guests mapped out acts of kindness and goodness they could perform in the neighborhood. Driven around by Gracie’s parents, they spread words of encouragement and support all over town. As always, it was a double blessing, filling the givers and receivers with joy.
In Big and Small Ways, We Can Change the World
Everyday, there are millions of people among us who are driven from within to help, who can’t walk away when someone is hurting, and who see what is needed and do their level best to provide it. If we follow their lead and work to breath hope and kindness into the world around us, it will go a long way to healing the hurts and closing the harmful divide of fear and misunderstanding that isolates us from one another. Standing up and offering acts of kindness, courage, loyalty, service, fairness, or goodness lightens your heart and those around you. Be the change. In some small or big way, find a way to be the voice of kindness today. And if you are moved to do so, please share your experience with us.