Yes, over-analysis is quite my thing; my thought-process may
be shifted, sorted, reviewed, researched, molded, plied, and manipulated from a
couple of brainwaves to an extended period of cranium-induced exercises. <Doesn’t she have an off-switch? Geesh.>
Today, my mind does circular donuts around the date: September, 11th. It has been twelve years since the horrible terrorist
attacks on our U.S. soil that forever changed our innermost beings. Most of us remember precisely where we were
and what we were doing at the very moments each plane crashed into the
respective World Trade Center towers, into the Pentagon and into the field in
Pennsylvania.
What I remember most about the significant date of 9/11 is
the humanity that shone through and carried on for the weeks thereafter. Civilization came together and humans helped
each other by digging through rubble; and further by hugging each other for the
losses of security, memories of what was and of the countless lives affected that day.
Again, we witnessed unbelievable acts of heroism and courage
on April 15th of this year, when Boston was bombed during its
biggest sporting event of the year, the Boston Marathon. People came together immediately to help our
fellow humans again. Blood, sweat and an
awful lot of tears were shed and mixed as we cast aside the “Why?” and we simply
loved our respective beings, strangers or not.
One element that makes me most proud to be an American is
our ability to come together in times of great strife and turmoil. Differences are most certainly cast aside
without a second glance, sleeves are rolled up and we band together as one to
care for each another. Our pasts are completely
irrelevant for a brief period: our socio-economic backgrounds and demographics
temporarily irrelevant, our religious affiliations and our personal beliefs immaterial
for the time being. People helping
people in the most basic, and yet, the most essential and necessary ways – and why
do we not do this on a regular basis? My
mind ponders why - why only in tragedies do we cast aside our differences and resort
to the crucial need of humans helping humans?
In an effort to not disregard the thousands that do help one
another on a regular basis, there are many who support their fellow villagers
by fund-raising for those who are ill; by helping with childcare for those
strapped by employment restraints or challenging home situations; by supporting
those who have fallen upon hard times and providing for them in their time of
need; by lending an ear or a heart for someone who’s had their heart broken; or
even by the very professions that allow specialized people to care for another as
their daily job requires whether it is by fire-fighting, police work, medical
skills or more.
My thoughts continue to bounce around in my mind, not unlike
the Roomba vacuum. Instead of cleaning
my brain, the views I ponder simply bounce off the constraints of my skull and
answers remain elusive. Why do we not
undertake caring for our fellows as a way of life, said actions carried out like the tasks we perform for work and at home regularly? Why do we not teach our children these
actions are just as important as the pleases and thank-yous? We buckle up for safety in our cars
regularly, but when is the last time we embraced a friend or acquaintance for a
similar protective snugness in the ride of life?
In these twelve years, post-September 11th, I
have learned that there is nothing quite stronger than the bond of
humanity. When humans act together, I am
quite sure even diamonds are not stronger.
An act of helping your fellows does not have to be grand in nature. In fact, there is a cliché that says every
small rock casts a ripple, which creates a larger ripple and so on. Imagine, a world where your small act of kindness may set
off such a chain reaction! 
Many acts of kindness are circulating lately, but what about
if we did not pay for the coffee behind us and what if we did not send a caring
letter to a friend, but instead, we simply incorporated acts of caring beyond
those ideas? Right? <Right!> NO!
SAY IT LOUDER!
<RIGHT!!!!!!!!>
Last week, I asked you to take inventory of your friends
(Who Are Your Friends?) and ask yourself what you really wanted. This week, I am challenging you to stop and
make a list of five (yes, only five, you can do it!) kind acts you can do for
your fellow neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances, and any other person you may
see on a regular basis.
·
Maybe you bring the trash and recycling bin in
for the mother who has her hands full of kids, groceries and backpacks upon her
return home.
·
Perhaps you send a backpack fully loaded with
school supplies to your child’s teacher knowing they will put it to a child who
needs it (info can be found here: Cara's Kids).
·
Maybe that friend on Facebook has been putting
on a brave face despite her challenges at home and she needs a bag of apples
from your local orchard.
·
Perhaps your elderly neighbor could use some
frozen meals to easily defrost and prepare for himself as his children live out
of state.
·
Maybe the boy on your son’s soccer team just
needs a gentle hug and a ride home.
·
Perhaps your boss could use something sweeter in
her life, so bring her a plate of cookies.
·
Maybe you mow the grass of the neighbor next
door as he tries to balance his life.
Teach your children by your actions, not your directives. Let us pave the way for future generations
starting now. The list of ways to help
each other is endless; your imagination is without boundaries and your ability
to support your village is always
there.
How will you help another human being today?
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