A simple act of kindness reminds us of its power to change the world
I had planned to share something for Christmas, including that we can all help change social animosity and bitterness around us, especially in politics, if we recommit to the most basic of Jesus Christ’s teachings, to love others as we would like them to love us, especially those seen as enemies, and to be kind to one another. But amidst all the season’s excitement I thought the message would get lost, so I changed my mind.
Then I had an experience I never had at a La Fiesta supermarket in Houston. Being Saturday and a day before Christmas night, there were many customers in the store and all twelve checkouts had long lines. I was carrying only four small items and was inclined to ask those in front with many more items to let me go first. As I waited in line a lady in the next line near the checkout, a total stranger, waved me to go in front of her. I thanked her and placed my items on the conveyor in front of hers. Then when I tried to pay, she told the cashier to include my items with hers. I told her and the cashier several times that it was quite unnecessary and that she had already been very kind, but she insisted so I gave in, not wanting to offend her good intentions. As I drove home, I realized that the best way to return such kindness was for me to do likewise to others. Simple acts of kindness can change society. We can all help spread kindness in the world, following the words of Bobby Kennedy and ancient Greek wisdom, “to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.”
If we want to change the social enmity, tension, and divisiveness amongst us, this Christmas we can recommit to basic Christian values, the values that made America great. Responding to anger and violence with more anger and violence solves nothing. It only creates more violence, chaos, and harm.
Raul Field Escandon, Houston