❤
********************
This quote reminds me that there is always hope. There’s so much unkindness and hatred in the world ….. and yet I still believe in our innate goodness. Life is good and I’m grateful for kindness. We may not always live up to that kindness …. and we keep on trying.
The poem, “Children Learn What They Live”, always makes a lasting impression on me every time I read it. Just beginning to change with this one poem would give this old world a jump-start on the road to becoming kinder. None of us have had a ‘perfect’ childhood, and some have even seen abuse in their lives, yet we can all find threads of kindness along the way that we can be grateful for:
Children Learn What They Live
by Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte
*From Psychology Today*
********************
83-Yr-Old Was Too “Terrified” To Ride Escalator, Until A Kind Young Man Took His Arm.
“A little redemption for the suffering human soul.
The older man was paused at the top of an escalator and a few people started gathering waiting to get on. It was clear he was feeling unsure and this young man offered the simplest kindness: an outreached arm and a ‘can I help you on, sir?’
He quietly started to explain to the young man that he had gotten stuck on an escalator once and was a little scared. The young man gently offered an assurance, they looked at each other eye to eye for just a moment and the older man accepted his arm. Everyone else remained patient.
So, so sweet to witness!
In about an hour, the evening news will air and we’ll be reminded of division, political mud-slinging, shootings and other heartaches. But today, violence, age, politics and other social lines were blurred and one person simply helped another. I wanted to hug both of them.
Whoever this young man is, YOUR FAMILY RAISED YOU RIGHT! THANK YOU!
So, please look for the silver linings – as I was so fortunate to witness this evening.”
❤
* Images by Pixabay
Hi Mary Lou what a beautiful story of the younger man helping the older gentleman on the escalator. I also think the poem reinforces my belief that we are and should be role models to our children and grandchildren. Thank you for sharing and linking up at #MLSTL and have a beautiful week. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree Sue! Children do live what they learn. 🙂
LikeLike
I wish our news would show more of the nice things that folks do instead of always showing the bad. There are good people doing nice things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree! ❤
LikeLike
What a wonderful example of simple human kindness Mary Lou – and what a lovely young man. Knowing it was a real event told from a first hand encounter made it even more special.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Leanne! That story came through my news feed just as I was writing this post. Touched my heart! ❤
LikeLike
A lovely story of pure kindness Mary Lou and that poem is brilliant 🙂 . thanks for the reminder #mlstl
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Debbie! I loved that poem when I was raising my children. A good reminder. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this beautiful post reminding us all to be kinder.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome Christina! ❤
LikeLike
I loved the story of the men on the elevator. It restores my faith in human nature! There is goodness everywhere if we choose to see it!
LikeLike
I absolutely love the poem by Dorothy Law Nolte and used to have it stuck up on our fridge when the children were growing up. I agree kindness is like redemption for the human soul and there isn’t enough of it in the world. Small daily actions like reaching out if someone looks unsure about something is indeed a silver lining. #MLSTL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I tried to use that poem as a guide too with my children Johanna. 🙂
LikeLike