This weekend is tough for many people around the world. Where many would be attending family gatherings or celebrating their faith, instead, we remain (or should be) self isolated. This is certainly not the version I had in my head of my first Easter since my retirement and not the version for any. But now that we are here, I offer some simple advice…”Just be nice!”
It is amazing how many in our world have expressed gratitude and kindness to friends and strangers alike. Everyday, there are touching examples of people reaching out and sometimes in the most simplistic gestures making a difference in the lives of others. Mainstream media has been very good at highlighting these individuals and the many examples of kindness and gratitude are constantly exploding on social media.
Sadly, the opposite is true as well. Social media trolls, as I like to call them, are also present to complain about things and berate others. Finger pointing is their mode of operation and neither gratitude nor kindness are anywhere to be seen. For me, what might be most frustrating is that many of these gutless people would seldom make those comments face to face but choose to hide behind an often invisible platform.
In the 10-80-10 principle, 10% of the people out there account for the positives while an equal percentage tend to be always negative. The rest of us fall into the middle category and can be swayed one way or the other.
In this crisis situation, we need as many people as possible to swing to the positive and lift up, not put down others. This “lift up” action doesn’t take much more than to just be nice and those who especially can, to demonstrate an “attitude of gratitude.”
We have many in our communities who are being severely impacted by COVID 19 and deserve our support. But there are others who are just plain negative and unable to see the many blessing they have compared to others. To you I say, “Shame on you! Your cross is not that burdensome!”
As we come out of this Easter weekend, share the hope that has been provided in the resurrection. Smile a little more, send a message or make a phone call to someone who might be in need, but most of all… JUST BE NICE!
