What is missing from those daily headlines is Balance (a key principle in my life).  Today, in addition to the thousands and tens of thousands of acts of violence, abuse, and theft, there will be millions and likely hundreds of millions of acts of kindness (or more) that will occur.  The vast majority of those acts of kindness will go unnoticed and unreported, whereas many acts of violence, theft, and abuse will be reported in some way.  Speaking for my life, I have experienced MANY more acts of kindness and giving in my lifetime than I have had of violence, theft, and abuse.  I pray that is true for you as well.  Unfortunately, those acts of routine everyday kindnesses do not get reported, and they do not make the News.

Today, Millions will help a child read a book, transport a sick friend to the doctor, deliver a baby, work tirelessly in their chosen profession to deliver their service, console someone over a recent death, or rescue an injured animal.  Today, many people will stop to help a stranger in need.  Today, about 150 people in the US will donate a heart, kidney, cornea or other organ so others may see or live.  Today, thousands of people will volunteer their services to run Life Squad, staff the local Fire Department, or assist the local Police Department.  Today, hospitals across this country are staffed with thousands of volunteers to man reception desks and to act as guides.  Today, many volunteers will staff homeless shelters and soup kitchens.  Today, bakeries will donate day old pastries and bread to retirement communities.  Today, people are donating their time to the local Red Cross chapter to prepare for the next disaster.  Today, hundreds of volunteers will staff one of the local Ronald McDonald Houses to assist the parents of sick children.  Today, thousands of people will volunteer to help their local religious and spiritual institutions.  Today, hundreds of people will act to assist our overseas Service members or their local families.  The list goes on.  You won’t hear about most of those acts of kindness, nor will you hear about the great things they achieve, but they happen everyday.

With our 24 hour a day access to Bad News, it’s easy to see the people of our world “going to Hell in a handbasket”.  It can seem obvious at times, and yet (in my view) that point of view is based on an imbalance.  I believe that the acts of kindness still far outweigh the acts of violence, abuse, and theft  that occur everyday.  I don’t want to discount the violence, theft, and abuse – because they are there, and we need to deal with them firmly and effectively.  I just want to keep them in a balanced proportion to their importance and occurrence in daily life.  As you watch the news, read the newspaper, read your favorite news web site, etc., I hope you can keep in mind that what you are seeing / hearing / reading is just part of what is happening in this world today.  There is much, much more, and I believe that a significant portion of it is unreported good.

My Religion is simple. My religion is kindness

- The Dalai Lama

Something to think about…..

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