What Makes Us Good?

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

I wanted to post a couple of stories that I've seen lately. Watch them first, and then I'll post my thoughts after the clips.  

and now watch this one...

What makes people like this kid and this bus driver do things for others when there is no real gain for them?  

One could argue that they did it for the fame or for public recognition, but it's hard to know what good deeds will get recognized and which ones won't.   So how could they have known that what they did and what they regularly do would be seen by others?  I think that the answer is that they didn't know.   From that, we can conclude that these humans simply have good hearts! 

The kid and his dad seem to be YouTubers, so one might argue that this was staged, and maybe it was, but the kid genuinely seemed to have a lightbulb moment where he realized that there was a better way to "spend" the money.  Also, his dad seemed truly stunned that his child did what he did, so I'd like to think that the child really did just realized that binging on toys was unnecessary and that people in need could be helped instead.    

If you are answering my question of the day in google classroom, you'll know that today's blog post is related to today's question.  In the question, I presented this idea about the shopping cart:  

 

I didn't want anyone to answer a question about whether they do the right thing when no one is looking, but I asked them to think about it.  What do you do when no one is looking?  Do you return the shopping cart?  

Both of the stories above, and the shopping cart theory would have you believe that there is nothing in it for the giver, but in order to help you all choose to perform acts of simple kindness more often, I would remind you that the giver does indeed get a lot in return too!  It might not be about money, or fame, or even public recognition, but it is about that feeling you get when you see another person smile.  When you see another person comforted.  When you see another person cared for.  When you recognize that you've made the world a bit brighter, safer, or happier for someone else.  I hope you all get a positive charge from giving to others in your own simple ways.    

Earlier in the school year, we worked to pass along some random acts of kindness, (remember that?  It seems so long ago now!)  Random acts of kindness are part of this, but doing the "right" thing generally goes beyond just simple kindness.  It is waking up each day and pledging to do your best to leave the world a little better than you found it, pick up after yourself, take care of/with others, recognize that the world doesn't revolve around you and that as a community we only work when we work together.  

So get out there today and do your best...I know, it's not always easy, and you won't always get it right, and when you do, you likely won't get any special thanks for it, but do it anyway because you'll know and you'll feel good about you.  

Have a great day everyone...and don't forget to put your shopping cart away!  

Be Well,

Mrs. Hempey