(This post is in no way meant to build myself up. This is my way of trying to help change the world)

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi

We live in crazy times. There seems to be a lot of anger and bitterness being thrown around by all walk of life. People talk about how divided our country is right now. Politically, people are constantly blaming the other party for whatever catastrophe is upon us (Covid-19, killer hornets, etc.). No matter what it is, you can bet either a Republican or a Democrat is at fault. Depending on who you are asking at the time of course.

Racial tension is near a breaking point. There is so much hatred and so much anger in the world. It has to change, right? Can we keep going down this path? We’re like a train that is about to run out of tracks and we’re still moving forward full steam ahead. Our pride won’t let us pull the break. The excuse of “this is how it’s always been” is hanging on to the track by a thread.

During 9/11, we saw the country pull together in an unprecedented way. We watched people of different ethnicities help each other up. We watched as political parties put aside their differences for a common goal: to defeat the terrorists who caused us such pain. 2020 has been different, though. You still see some of the same love that we saw 19 years ago but it seems few and far between. Perhaps it’s still there and I’m overlooking it. Either way, I don’t see it like I did during the months following the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

How do we get to that point now? How do we bring a country that is going through economic hardships to a place of love instead of hate. How can we take the anger and turn it into joy? My philosophy for the past few months has simply been this: the world needs to see kindness. The wold needs to know there are still good people out there.

I watched as people like Bill Pulte and Mark Cuban give money to help those less fortunate. I am not anywhere close to what they are financially, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do my part. It’s amazing how one random act of kindness goes a long way. I have made it point to randomly pay for people’s meals. Whether its in a drive through somewhere or at a restaurant picking up a to-go order. Last week I went through the coffee shop drive through and gave the lady extra money. I told her to pay for as many people’s coffees that you can with that money. Why? “The world needs to see kindness.

These examples all involve money but there’s so much more than that to kindness. Mowing someone’s yard. Raking leaves. Going to the grocery store for some elderly people who may be scared to get out in this madness right now. I can sit back and get mad and gripe about the current state of affairs or I can get out and help try to change the world. One act of kindness will go a long way. One act of kindness could change someone’s life.