These are a couple of entries that were recorded in a newspaper contest where teens were asked to imitate deep thoughts.
A 15-year-old wrote, “I believe you should live each day as if it is your last, which is why I don’t have any clean laundry because, come on, who wants to wash clothes on the last day of their life?”
And this was the entry of a 13-year-old: “Once I wept for I had no shoes. Then I came upon a man who had no feet. So I took his shoes. I mean, it’s not like he really needed them, right?”
Not long ago, an eight-year-old boy became famous on social media, but not because he entered a contest. It began when he was in the family car with his mom and sister, and he noticed an elderly woman with a walker crossing a busy road.
“Can I go out there and help her?” he asked his mom.
His mom pulled over, momentarily stopping traffic, so her son could assist the woman across the street and help her navigate some concrete steps. All the while he kept his hand on her back to show his support.
When he reached the top of the stairs, the woman gave him a hug, patted his brown skinned arm, and with tear-filled blue eyes looked at him and told him he was a special boy.
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The boy didn’t know there was a man nearby capturing the display of kindness on video, and he certainly didn’t expect the video to be shared on social media, along with the words “thank God for our youth.”
But the boy’s mom played a big part in this touching story. She was the one who took the time to pull over in busy city traffic, and she was the one who later commented, “It just shows respect and raising your kids right goes a long way.”
This boy wasn’t the only one whose helpful actions became public knowledge. Recently the actor who is best known for portraying Sherlock Holmes and the Marvel hero Dr. Strange took on his own act of heroism.
When the cab he was riding in came to a stop, the actor – Benedict Cumberbatch – saw a cyclist being robbed by four gang members. Benedict jumped out of the cab, ran over and pulled the men away.
When the men turned to attack Benedict, the cab driver joined in the rescue. The attackers fled and Benedict hugged the cyclist, asking if he was OK.
When the cab driver asked the actor why he had done it, he replied, “Well, I had to, you know.”
This wasn’t an actor playing the part of a hero; he was a man choosing to endanger himself in order to help someone in need. And his actions inspired the cab driver to join him.
The third act of kindness took place immediately following the recent volcanic eruption in Guatemala. That’s when leaders from the nation of Israel sent $10,000 to purchase medical supplies. The G13, an international group consisting of government leaders from 13 countries, followed suit and also offered their support.
All of these kindnesses begin with children who are taught to be respectful and help those in need. Like the eight-year-old’s mom said “raising your kids right goes a long way.”
Because those kids grow up to become respectful, helpful adults, leading families, organizations, businesses and even countries.
It’s something to remember the next time we have the opportunity to interrupt our busy schedule, or everyday routine, in order to help someone in need.
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