In the Good Book, Galatians 6:9, we read: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (NKJV)
Off the bat, I’m sure a five year old somewhere on earth would ask: “Why should we do good? My sister (brother, cousin, best friend) is not always good to ME! Why should I be good?”
Actually by doing “good,” we not only help people, animals or nature with needs but also boost our own sense of self-respect and delight. Not encouraging prideful behavior by any means, but as humans we do feel better about ourselves when we do something good. And this touches everyone we come into contact with.
So friends: what IS “good?” Mr. Webster’s updated tome states: “Good may denote kindness, benevolence (well-meaning) behaviors; conformity to moral law (concerned with the principles of right or wrong behaviors; holding high principles for proper conduct).”
It is good to pick up litter around your neighborhood when you take your daily constitution. It is good to buy an old friend lunch when they have traveled many miles to visit. It is good to practice loving your most unlovable neighbor and do them no harm. Maybe even share your garden gifts with them or ask if they need something from the grocery store as you are going later. It is good if you choose your next pet from the animal shelter. It is good to offer to cook a meal for a neighbor who has been sick.
It is good to be honest on your taxes, with your spouse, and yourself. It is good to encourage someone, comfort them in time of need, support and guide them in positive endeavors.
Good is opening the door for anyone. Good is saying thank you, can I help you, let me hold that box for you.
Doing good is all these things along with a kind spirit and caring mindset. I see no error in being good or doing good. It is often small acts of goodness that encourage others that the entire world is not “bad.” It is often small acts of goodness that propel others to pass it forward. It is often the small acts of goodness that may brighten someone’s otherwise dark and discouraging day.
There’s a lot to be said for forgiveness and turning the other cheek. There is a lot to be said for agreeing to disagree with no harm towards anyone who crosses your path or speaks within your hearing.
Let’s learn to stand tall, do good and know why we are doing it. We are doing it because WE are trying to be good. We are doing it because we, down deep in our soul, care for our fellow humans and animals and the natural world we were designated to care for.
We are doing it because in our hearts and souls we know others mourn and hurt just as we have mourned and endured many facets of pain in our own lives. We are seeing our experiences in other humans.
I can NOT be good to others. My earthly father instilled this in my being all through my life. Am I always this way? Of course not. No one is perfectly good all the time. But when I am not, I realize it. And I try to change it. I apologize, rectify, feel regret peppered with sadness.
Am I always kind? I try to be. I have not had an easy life. Some of it my own fault and some of it totally out of my control. My experiences have made me stronger, more aware of the needs of others and more aware of the goodness this world needs at this time in the world.
Even just once a day, try to do good. It doesn’t matter why or for whom,. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know their name or what is going on this moment in their lives (or yours). I promise you won’t regret it.
Interestingly, my cousin is wearing a “boot” up to her knee after fracturing her ankle. She stated that since she began wearing it, she has been showered with kindness and consideration from total strangers. She is having doors opened for her, and people are offering caring comments (including one “bless your heart”). She stated that she won’t miss wearing the boot but, “selfishly” she would miss all the kindness. It occurred to my cousin that if we each wore some outer sign of our inner pain and struggles, it might make it easier to give the kind words to strangers we meet.
Today I will seek out a chance to do good. I don’t want it acknowledged or commented about or even thanked for. I just know someone needs a good word or act of kindness today. I’ll find them. And maybe I’ll look in the mirror and remember that I need to treat that person good as well.
