The choreography of altruism…


What happened to civility?  What happened to the simple thank you and you’re welcome in life?  Humanity seems to be failing us as civility gets tossed out the window.  This seems to be the world according to me-ism.  Kind gestures made for a simple exchange when I was a kid.  It was a basic thank you followed by your welcome.  After this brief graciousness, the matter was closed.  We did not search for more.  Some people in life apparently do not support the kindness protocol.  Life was more about sharing and less about expecting.  Humanity seems to have lost that trait. 
                                                                             
My church passes out rolls of wrapping paper at Christmas time.  They did this in the parking lots of various stores.  Dishearteningly not all stores would allow this.  Sometimes it was one specific store manager who did not allow it.  I was told how one manager permitted this and spoke with the church volunteers.  He said that the volunteers were doing a good thing.  When the new manager came on shift, he chased the volunteers away.  He vociferously stated that it was not allowed.  This is even after they told him that the previous manager had approved it. 

I think that people are too skeptical of someone doing random acts of kindness.  They do not understand people just being kind.  The church said Merry Christmas and here's a roll of wrapping paper.  From my understanding, people were not very receptive to the idea of taking this wrapping paper either.  They seemed to think that there was some sort of obligation attached.  There was no obligation or requirement it was merely a gift.  Good people were doing good things what a concept. 

Some friends got together and made bags for the homeless.  Included in these bags were some of the necessities and goodies of life.  Then when they saw a homeless person they gave this person a bag.  I was told how several people looked in these bags and said: what no money?  The pure gratitude and graciousness I thought was a common practice, but I guess not.  I personally started learning this in Boy Scouts as a young man.  Apparently, not everyone was taught this simple lesson.

This is how it should work.  The other day I went out to lunch with some friends, and I paid.  I'm not telling this to brag about myself.  I was just trying to bring a little sunshine to the lives of some friends.  We went during lunch, so the meals were less expensive.  Keep in mind that they eat like birds, and we are only talking about a few $8 or $9 meals.  They seemed to be unsure of how to deal with my treating.  After a few attempts to pay me back, we had a simple exchange.  They all said thank you, and I told them you’re welcome.  After that, the matter was closed.  Everyone knows me well enough to know that I do not expect anything in return.  It is called kindness.  I was hoping to brighten the day of others.  What a concept.

It is evident that society has become more about hatred, greed, and intolerance.  However, we should not be skeptical of every act of kindness.  There are many of us in this world who have nothing but kindness and love in our hearts.  Compassion and not greed needs to be the shining factor.  Apparently, not everyone can buy lunch for a group.  We each need to find our own way to help make the world a better place.  The only way to start making this world better is for each of us to be the change.  We can do this by adding joy, altruism and outstretched hands to this world.  Let's leave footprints of kindness and love wherever we go.  LOVE MUST PREVAIL! 

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