Tainted Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving in my family is usually an enjoyable time.
Our greatest conundrum is deciding whose aunt's house to go to for the day or deciding whether or not to do the push-back (from the table) to leave room for dessert.
There is something very different about this Thanksgiving, however.
This year there is an air of toxicity.
That toxicity has made my emotions go through tears of sadness, frustration, anger, disheartedness, and concern.
Check out the headlines below to get an understanding of why.
In the Words of Marvin Gaye: “What's Going On?”
8-year-old hospitalized after beating by white bullies who told his sister ‘go back to the cotton farm’ – Published Nov. 22, 2016
The election is getting people uninvited to Thanksgiving – Nov. 21, 2016
‘Hijab grab’ defense: As reports of hate crimes spike postelection, Muslim women turn to self-defense – Nov. 21, 2016
A 16-year-old African-American student at Monte Vista High School in Danville, California went to the bathroom during fifth period on Wednesday and spotted the words “whites” and “colored” scrawled on the wall over the urinal. – Published Nov. 17, 2016
Local Republican Party office in North Carolina firebombed, nearby building vandalized. – Published Oct. 17, 2016
How Can We Invoke Change?
I do not know about you, but every time I read stories like those I am outraged.
Those stories have me scowling more than smiling. They have me questioning humanity. Also, they have me lacking in faith and trust of others.
I do not like feeling or thinking that way.
That is why I believe we need to invoke change. Let's start that change with us.
You see, people who read my blog posts are kindhearted let's-make-a-difference people. At least that is what I choose to believe.
We are the people who embrace differences and use them to our advantage for good for all, not just for a few.
Yes, the stories above worry me.
I have wondered privately how to fix what is so severely fractured.
I do not have all the answers. But…
Those of us with kind hearts and kind spirits can make a difference.
How?
By knocking out toxicity with kindness.
A Small Act of Kindness
Over the past few weeks I have struggled to shake off my frustrations. As a result, I lost sight of my own acts of kindness.
A friend since my elementary school days, who also has been very sad and frustrated of late, wrote on his Facebook page something that reminded me that we need kindness.
He shared a story that took place at a Dollar Store.
While he waited for his order of balloons to be blown, he decided to go to a nearby Dunkin' Donuts.
Before leaving the store, the following happened:
My friend: Would you like a coffee or donut?
The worker: Why?
My friend: Why what?
The worker: Why do you want to buy me a coffee or donut?
My friend: Because I'm going there and it's early Sunday morning. I thought you may like something from D&D.
My friend went on to say that the worker looked puzzled and confused. He said it was as if the worker was thinking to himself, “Why does this stranger want to do something nice for another human being?”
Knock Out the Toxic with Kindness
The incident left him with these thoughts:
Our world is quite messed up when a simple act of kindness turns into a discussion as to why are you being kind.
Something so simple that I have thought about all week.
I will continue to be me in this messed up world.
I will continue to be kind in a world confused by kindness.
The fact that an act of kindness came off as a weird gesture is a sign that we need to do better.
We can start by injecting small acts of kindness.
Do not match evilness with evilness. Such behavior changes nothing.
When they go low, we go high.
Do not think about or consider how the person on the other side may hate you or disrespect you. Simply show kindness.
Some may believe I have lost my my mind, but if we do not do anything to change our current path, we are headed for a lot worse.
Yes, it will be a challenge, especially when all you want to do is knock sense into people, but…
We must believe that when kindness happens enough, we can be the change hate, bigotry, toxicity, and fear need.
Now go out there and be kind.
Lead the way: What acts of kindness will you do? Share in the comments, on Facebook or Twitter.