Recently there were 2 news stories that really stood out to me. One stood out to me because of the show of human kindness; it warmed my heart! The other one unfortunately showed the exact opposite. I will first share the one where it shows that mankind still has a compassionate, caring heart!
A family was vacationing at the beach when 2 of their boys got stuck in a riptide. Riptides are so dangerous and unfortunately there have been many deaths related to them. Watch this short video to see what happens when humans decided to pull together and help those in need! If only we could show this spirit more often! No one gave a care about race, religion, etc. They just saw people that desperately needed help and they went into action.
Amazing!
Now this next news story just chilled me. Like I said, it unfortunately shows the exact opposite side of human nature. The side we hear about too often, and I know, here I am giving another example. Sorry, but there is a point I want to make.
HORRIBLE! YES! There is no dispute. It is a tragedy, and I know its not the first of its kind. People have turned a blind eye to others being beaten to death, have turned a blind eye to others being raped. It’s sickening, but its real. What is wrong with people?
I could make a very long post about what is wrong with people today, but that’s not the point I wanted to make. These 2 stories made me think. While I would never stand by and mock a drowning man, have I ever not helped someone when they needed it? How many times have I turned a blind eye?
That’s a hard question, for we all want to be seen as those who reach out and care for another! I do try my best, but I am sure there have been the times where I have missed the opportunity to save someone that is “drowning.” Drowning in the troubles of life. Who knows if a couple words from me or a smile would have helped brighten their day, but was I too busy to get my list of things done for the day? Did I miss smiling at that person that I passed by in the store because I was busy looking at my phone? You say its just a smile, but what if it would have been the only smile that person would have got that day? Did I hurry someone off the phone because I needed to run, right before they were getting ready to share their broken heart?
There are times that I really miss being a waitress. I miss getting to know people that I wouldn’t come in contact with any other way. I enjoyed taking the time to really get to know my customers. I still see some of my regular customers in my mind and remember the conversations we had. I knew when they were having a bad day and I gave a listening ear and I had fun with them on their good days. Jokes would flow back and forth quite frequently. I made sure that they got their dose of laughter for the day.
Thinking about it I guess in a way this blog is like a coffee shop. We share fun moments and serious ones in our posts. Some of you are like my regular customers who I often chat with beyond the posts on good and bad days and the laughter often flies as well. Hmmm… the only thing missing is that I don’t collect tips. That’s OK, there are better things than money!
The thing is that unless we stay in our homes 24/7 we come in contact with people every day. We have countless opportunities to give a smile, and a wave in person, and through our “coffee shop” blogs. We never know when that smile and wave may turn into a conversation that was needed that day, or the smile may have been enough to give the person a lift to carry them through the day.
Yes, we are human and yes we are going to get too busy and miss opportunities, but it doesn’t make it right. It doesn’t say that we can’t try to be more aware so that we are quicker to seize the opportunities when they come. I can guarantee that if we do, we are not going to regret it! Our heart will be touched with a feeling that can’t be compared.
The extremes of human nature are mystifying! Excellent reminder for us to become more aware of what we are putting into the world and how we affect our surroundings. I heard this quote of unknown origin somewhere long ago – “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” I often said it to my children, it bears repeating. Thank-you for this inspiring post!
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Yes very mystifying!
Thanks for your comment and your quote. It fits perfectly!
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Great message there! Bravo! 🙂
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Thank-you very much Colin! 🙂
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You’re very welcome. That was another “straight from the heart” writing I presume?
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You presume right my friend! 🙂
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🙂
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It’s easy to get caught up in your own life or your head and not be fully aware of what’s going on around you. I know I’ve been guilty of that- especially in recent years. But I do remember years ago thinking about the point you make- of taking that extra step because it could make a difference.
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Thanks for sharing Kat. Yes, taking that extra step could very well make a difference, something we need to keep reminding ourselves of!
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Sadly, and all too often, everyone has ‘looked the other way’ particularly when someone does not ask for help. It’s always a thin line to navigate but the important take-away is to be available and if you think someone is in need, ask if they need help. They can chose to accept or decline. We cannot want ‘something’ for someone more than they do.
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Thanks for your comment! Yes, you are right, we can’t force our help on people if they don’t want it. We can only be there.
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Able and willing make for a good team.
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Poodle wisdom is rubbing off on you! 🙂
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Woof, woof 🐩
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🙂
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Great post.
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Thank you very much!
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Such a terrible story (the second). I read an ethics article argueing for an issue on the Good Samaritan Argument. Mainly that while some people will choose to act as a Good Samaritan we can not expect that much but what we can expect is that people in society need to be at least minimally decent samaritans. So for instance, calling for help for this man drowning at the very least is minimally decent. While jumping in to save him would be like being the Good Samaratin. Many places in Europe have these minimally decent Samaritan laws and I think they’re wise.
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Yes I agree! How hard is it to call for help?
I wish we would have that law! But at the same time the fact that we need a law for people to be decent to people in time of need is really sad!!
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Yes I know what you mean but it’s true. Too many people looking out for themselves not others. Helping sometimes never occurs to some people.
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The first gives you some faith in human kindness whilst the second cuts your breath off. I have a brother-in-law who drowned four years ago in Toronto and watching this made me think of him. Could someone have helped him – he went with some colleagues to the Lake – but they chose not to?
The second shows what’s all that’s wrong with human kind. It hurts the soul to see these things.
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So very sorry about your brother-in-law!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, yes it really does hurt the soul when we think about the second news story. We have to try to keep focused on the 1st story and how we can be a part of that in this world!
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True. I choose to amplify the positives and leave the negatives where they lie.
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