"Gentleness is everywhere in daily life, a sign that faith rules through ordinary things...
Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people. Lacking any other purpose in life, it would be good enough to live for their sake."
Garrison Keillor
I know this is hard to remember, especially with all the ugly selfishness that is so evident these days. And because of the increase in wickedness, among people in high places who provide bad examples, the love of many will falter and grow cold.
It is never really between them and you, but between you and yourself, between you and your God. It is how you rise above, and become human.
It is fine and necessary to look after your wealth in order to fill the needs of your family. But random acts of kindness will make a difference in your life and in theirs.
No act of kindness is wasted. You store them in your heart, and these are the only things that you will take with you when the day is done. You will remember them, and you will be remembered for them, if not in this life, then in the next.
You have a choice. Be a light to the world. Essere umano. Be a mensch.
Thanks to Lambert Strether for this.
Flowers grow, even amongst the desolation of empires, and other passing follies.
