Edited by Jim McCrory, Wednesday, 12 June 2024, 11:38
Some people have to get up every day and face a hostile world. Whether it be in the home, classroom or workplace, people work hard to be unkind.
Now, I have made an observation about unkind people. It's a simple observation: they are not happy. Does that surprise? It shouldn't. Scientific research continues to remind us that hippieness comes from doing kind things for others. A word, a deed, a simple "How are you?" that is heartfelt can make the world of difference. Decades ago, I had an experience that was never forgotten. Consider:
Every time I hear Rednex singing Wish You Were Here, I’m reminded of you. I had been reading Moberg’s book, The Emigrants, on our family trip over to Gothenburg. I decided that I would like to visit the Emigrant Museum in Växjö. When we arrived in the pretty town the following Friday, it was a beautiful July morning and I approached you and said, ‘Excuse me, can I park my car here?’
‘Sure, welcome, it is fine to park here,’ you replied with a kind smile.
You then continued by saying, ‘You are from where?’
‘Scotland,’ I replied.
‘Oh!’ you said, with a nod of approval.
After a few minutes when we were exploring the town, you came to tell us you made an error, and it was not a good place to park. You took us to another place and reassured us that the new location would be fine. I thanked you for taking the trouble. You looked hesitant, like you wanted to walk around with us, but the owl of Minerva flies at dusk as the expression goes; I would have welcomed you if I only thought.
After our morning at the museum, we went into a cafe and sat with some snacks and drinks. When I went to pay, the waitress said, ‘Your bill is complete.’
‘Sorry?’ I replied.
‘Your friend paid it a small time ago.’
Stranger? Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It was not the gift that mattered so much. It was the human kindness; it restored my confidence in humanity, just what I needed at the time.
I'm sure in the big cosmic purpose that's in the hands of our creator, we will meet again one day.
Wish You Were Here
Some people have to get up every day and face a hostile world. Whether it be in the home, classroom or workplace, people work hard to be unkind.
Now, I have made an observation about unkind people. It's a simple observation: they are not happy. Does that surprise? It shouldn't. Scientific research continues to remind us that hippieness comes from doing kind things for others. A word, a deed, a simple "How are you?" that is heartfelt can make the world of difference. Decades ago, I had an experience that was never forgotten. Consider:
Every time I hear Rednex singing Wish You Were Here, I’m reminded of you. I had been reading Moberg’s book, The Emigrants, on our family trip over to Gothenburg. I decided that I would like to visit the Emigrant Museum in Växjö. When we arrived in the pretty town the following Friday, it was a beautiful July morning and I approached you and said, ‘Excuse me, can I park my car here?’
‘Sure, welcome, it is fine to park here,’ you replied with a kind smile.
You then continued by saying, ‘You are from where?’
‘Scotland,’ I replied.
‘Oh!’ you said, with a nod of approval.
After a few minutes when we were exploring the town, you came to tell us you made an error, and it was not a good place to park. You took us to another place and reassured us that the new location would be fine. I thanked you for taking the trouble. You looked hesitant, like you wanted to walk around with us, but the owl of Minerva flies at dusk as the expression goes; I would have welcomed you if I only thought.
After our morning at the museum, we went into a cafe and sat with some snacks and drinks. When I went to pay, the waitress said, ‘Your bill is complete.’
‘Sorry?’ I replied.
‘Your friend paid it a small time ago.’
Stranger? Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It was not the gift that mattered so much. It was the human kindness; it restored my confidence in humanity, just what I needed at the time.
I'm sure in the big cosmic purpose that's in the hands of our creator, we will meet again one day.