In his Inaugural Address in 1989, President George H.W. Bush said, “America is never wholly herself 
unless she is engaged in high moral principle. We as a people have such a purpose today. It is to make kinder the face of the Nation and gentler the face of the world.” Previously, Bush had famously called for a “kinder and gentler” nation. Almost forty years ago he recognized that the country was losing its grasp on acting civilly and compassionately towards others. I think his encouragement to embrace kindness is still prudent today. Kindness is on a path lined with other values that leads us to hope.
Recently, I have started on a mission to encourage dads to revisit and reclaim the values we hold dear. The values that were taught to us by our parents, coaches and others who helped shape our character. The values that I know shaped the character of folks who read along with me. Kindness is one of those core values. Kindness is “a fundamental quality characterized by generosity, helpfulness and compassion. It involves selfless, intentional actions driven by empathy and the desire to improve someone else’s well-being without expecting anything in return.” Simply put, kindness is the Golden Rule.
Patience then Kindness
Last time I wrote about patience. If patience is the passive state which allows us to gather ourselves and our emotions; then kindness may be the first active step (in a series of many) on our journey towards hope. Today, that may be a road less traveled, but one we need to take. I hope that dads will revisit kindness and renew their efforts to assure it is in the backpacks of their children. The need is great and the stakes are high.
Our Calling – Every Day
Every week I work at the local food bank helping to provide nourishment to folks who need assistance. This week I thought how delivering groceries is simply about being kind. Our efforts are acts of generosity, consideration and genuine care for others. Kindness. Because that is what we are called to do. “Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly.” (Micah 6:8).
Kindness manifests itself in everyday situations. A simple “hello, how are you?” as you pass someone on your daily walk with the dog. A smile. Holding the door open for someone at the grocery store. Allowing someone to use the self-checkout before you on a busy day in the same store. Pulling a neighbor’s garbage bin back to the curb when it has fallen into the street. A handwritten note of sympathy when a friend’s pet has died. A call or text to check on someone during a heat wave. Sharing. Simple acts that can change the day of a neighbor. In Be There Dad parlance, kindness usually abides whenever we become present for others.
Courage and Confidence
Kindness is sometimes confused with weakness. I think not. Kindness often requires courage. Engaging with someone you do not know. Doing something you have never done. A handshake at the end of a closely contested soccer game. Well wishes offered for success in the next round of the tournament. Grace in loss. Humility in victory. Admission when you are mistaken. Strength in kind and gentle ways.
Superman is Not Coming
Martin Luther King is often credited with saying, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Years later, President Obama added, “The arc does not bend on its own; it bends because we pull it in the direction of justice.” It will not be Superman, Captain America or any others who will bend the arc for us. We must teach our children to be the heroes of their generation. They must learn to see the heroes in themselves. Each in their own unique way. Each child should believe that “today I have the chance to change my portion of the world.“ Whatever that means in whatever way they are challenged. In our collective “pursuit of happiness”; each of us is duty bound to do their part.
Preparing Our Children
If our children are the future, then it is we who must equip them to create that place which is kinder and gentler. We must prepare them to pursue that happiness we set out to find. They should be prepared to do the ordinary acts of patience and kindness in extraordinary ways. The lessons and values in their backpacks will equip them.
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