June of 2016 brought us the sadness of Orlando. Last June brought us the sadness of Alexandria, August that of Charlottesville, September that of Plano, October that of Las Vegas,
November that of Sutherland Springs and Rancho Tehama, and December that of San Juan County just a week before the fifth anniversary of Sandy Hook.
After each we heard the pleas for unity, civility, fewer guns, more guns, no guns, no way.
I had faith that an intelligent leader would take our country away from the abyss. But that faith is weakening, and representatives in the House and Senate are doing little to reverse the trend. As more and more of them choose retirement over speaking out for what is right regardless of the political cost, it's left to everyday women and men to bring us back from the abyss to which the unkindness and self-centeredness of government leaders seems determined to send us. Yes, send, not lead, because they seem convinced, and their actions indicate, that they are not coming with us.
So here’s the part worth repeating.
America is great, so we don’t have to make it that again.
It’s also kind, so we don’t have to make it that again, either.
But can we make Americans kind again?
We may not be able to end gun violence when so many of our fellow citizens misunderstand or acknowledge the weight of the responsibility of gun ownership. Or when the representatives we elected to speak for us choose instead to speak to fill their own campaign coffers.
But we can acknowledge that loss, grieve, then make our own little part of America kind again.
How?
Reach out to someone else and do an unexpected kindness for them. A small kindness.
Need suggestions?
Give your kids a ride to school or walk with them and talk with them. Listen to them. Compliment their clothing choices.
Smile and think twice before pointing out something your kids are doing wrong and catch them doing something right. Tell them!
Make a meal or do the dishes and clean-up without being asked.
Smile and say good morning!
Smile and say hello!
If you see someone sitting alone having lunch or coffee, invite them to join you. Talk to them and learn what their interests are.
Smile and say nice day!
Let someone who looks frazzled and unhappy cut in front of you at the grocery or department store checkout line.
Smile when you do any of these.
You get the idea and you can do it. But as a start, HERE’S YOUR CHALLENGE. Do one every day. It may catch on. At the least, people will wonder why you’re acting that way. It might start a discussion.
The alternative? Wait for our elected leaders to civilize the discourse. How has that worked out?
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