ABCs of Thanksgiving – K is for Kindness

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

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Be kind to each other.

It really is that simple. Just be kind to one another.

Regardless of differences.

Unlike some of my friends, perhaps former friends, I will not block you on social media when I disagree with the nonsense you post.

I may indeed unfollow you so I don’t have to read it every day.

But I would hope that our relationships are solid enough that we can have political disagreements and still be friends.

I know a lot of people don’t feel that way.

And frankly, I see it mostly (but not exclusively) from the left.

It’s all about diversity until you disagree with them.

Sorry if that hits close to home.

But you keep using that word. I do not believe it means what you think it means.

Facebook, and well, all of social media, has made it easier to be snarky to argue and to say things we likely wouldn’t say to someone’s face.

As helpful as I think social media is, that’s one of the major downfalls.

It doesn’t cost you anything to be kind.

Hold the door.

Let that car merge, even if the jerk did drive all the way up on the shoulder to get ahead of everyone else.

Pay it forward in the Starbucks line.

That’s how we stop being a cranky nation.

It doesn’t matter who is in the White House, or Congress, or the Governor’s Mansion.

There is no executive order that can mandate kindness.

It’s up to each of us to be kind.

I’m thankful for the kindness shown to me and to others.

I strive to do the same.

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Today is Veteran’s Day, also known as Armistice Day. On this day in 1918 the armistice was signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany, in theory, ending the “War to End Wars.” I spent about three years living in the history of WWI as I adapted my grandfather’s diary into a stage play. I was honored that Clean Dry Socks: Diary of a Doughboy, was produced by River City Community Players in 2018, one hundred years after the end of the war.

Remember our Veterans today.  Thank one, or more, if you can.