How often we hear it said during the Christmas and New Year's seasons—if only our kindness and goodness toward one another could last the entire year. That seems to have been a particularly rough challenge this year.
Yet Christians regard Jesus' birth as the "reason for the season." And people of all religious persuasions seem to put down their "swords" for just awhile. This time of year has an infectious influence. Maybe the message of "peace on earth, goodwill toward men," can still permeate the new year.
At home throughout the year
Dad, peace on earth begins with peace at home. Let's think of our children. Where do they learn peace, kindness and generosity? If they consume TV, it is likely they see more examples of those attributes watching the commercials than the news. While they may not see peace and kindness in the actions of our leaders or on the faces of shoppers on Black Friday, they should witness those things at home throughout the year.
Be a good guy model
Sometimes it seems that our kids create kindness, peace and generosity more than we adults do. They can often be the change they desperately need to see. You can lead the way by example. As a family, you can find a shelter or church where volunteers feed the hungry. Give your trash collectors little tokens of your appreciation for what they do. Go grocery shopping for a senior citizen. Send notes to people who live alone. Take a meal to a shut-in. Open your car window and give a burger and fries to the disheveled man or woman displaying a "hard times" cardboard sign. Go Christmas caroling with a group or your family.
Uh, what did you just say?
In today's world where incivility has replaced good manners, we are both surprised and delighted when the person at the drive-thru window or behind the retail counter utters a "thank you." (Do we need to define "manners?") We're caught off guard when someone looks up from his or her cell phone and smiles and manages a "Hi." Witness the reaction when you step aside and let the person behind you in the check-out lane go in front of you. (If you don't get a thank-you, it's probably because they're in shock.)
Words of wisdom
Dr. Albert Schweitzer, medical missionary, theologian and philosopher, said, "The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others." Poet William Wordsworth wrote, "That best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love."
Life is local
Dad, you're it. It all starts with you and Mom. You are the role models with the greatest and most lasting influence. Begin now. It's the time of year to start a new trend, to create new habits. There is a saying: "All politics is local." So are peace-making and kindness. There is no greater legacy. Let's start now.