Just Be Nice
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the terrible things happening in the world around us every day. If I spend too much time on social media or watching the news, I often find myself feeling beaten down and on the edge of tears. Maybe I’m just too sensitive. Or maybe I just care.
I’m currently away from school on medical leave due to a recent surgery, and the news of the school shooting in Florida has me missing my second and third graders immensely. In a time where they might be scared and confused, I want to be there for them. I want to remind them that they’re loved and that we all struggle at times but that doesn’t mean you have to give in or take it out on others. I want to share again a message I’ve shared with them before- Sure, I want you to learn how to read and do math, but mostly, I want you to be nice to each other. Learn how to be a good person.
I don’t know what the answers are. I don’t know how to stop being sad every time I look at the TV or a news article. I don’t know how to fix all of this. But I can think of something to try: show kindness.
Our world needs more love and kindness and acceptance of each other. Be romantic, call a friend, use humane animal traps, have patience with the kid behind the counter making your morning coffee, give a friendly smile to a stranger you pass by – I don’t care how you show it, but please, just be nice.
IMAGE: FLICKR, JESSLEE CUIZON
