The Secret

 

 

I sometimes wonder why it is so hard to be kind.  I wonder why we hurt each other, sometimes by accident, but especially when we do it on purpose.  I wonder why we are so quick to wound and so anxious to judge.  I wonder what it is about our society today that makes it so hard to be kind.

Then I stop and think, I look at the internet and social media.  Today we are surrounded by people who, since they can't see your face or your pain or your despair, say whatever pops into their minds.  Add that to the fact that the written word can be taken differently by different people, and you have a big mess just waiting to happen. 

A long time ago, if you offended someone, you could see it in their face.  You could see their eyes and their tears and their sadness.  Today, if you offend someone on social media, you just see their words, or the words of others.  It makes it so much easier to be unkind and so much harder to recognize it in the process. 

Still, I think we can all do a little better in this and take a little more responsibility for our own actions.  Are we always kind to others, or do we walk by and not notice?  Do we look for the ones who look sad or lonely?  Do we sit by the person who is alone?  Do we try to think about how we would feel if we were in that place?  Do we try and feel period!

I had jury duty last week, and it was an interesting experience.  Many hours on hard chairs in a hallway, while unbeknownst to us, the attorneys and clients met to try and reach a plea agreement.  No one told us anything.  We just got to sit there waiting.   After awhile two people in orange jump suits walked out in handcuffs with smirks on their faces and yelling, "Hey, you all waitin for us??  You all still waitin?"  All I could think is that some of these people might be your jury and you are going to act like that!

Thank goodness, the reason they did is because they had just accepted a plea deal. 

Thank goodness again, that I did not say something to them!! 

There are always, always, always opportunities to be more kind.  There are always people who need a smile or a laugh or a hug. 

Life is too short and too hurried to ruin it with a bad attitude and bitter, mean words.   

 

Ephesians 4:32 -  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.