Simple Acts of Kindness

     I wasn't going to do this.
Honestly, unless they're quite humorous, most people will not take the time to read an entire blogpost. But I figure I could use the writing practice, and since I'm pretty shy, most people never hear my opinions. So I'm speaking up. I'll try to be humorous and interesting most of the time, but really the only thing I can promise is that I will be honest.

I'm not quite sure where to begin. Perhaps with a lesson I learned today.

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." -Unknown

     Since it's the Sabbath, I'm going to strive to make this a heartfelt message, rather than cynical. I am, unfortunately,  a rather cynical person--which will probably become evident in posts to come.But I won't be today.
      I was at church, 'k, just going through the motions, probably moping about how Spring Break had to end--when something happened.
    Some people barely see past the tip of their own nose, I being one of them. But I met someone today who altered my perceptions of life. How stringent our definitions of beauty are; how much we avoid those things we aren't comfortable with; how fragile life is, yet we disregard it. We cast aside that which is most short and precious. This person had faced death, and now sat facing me. They (I'll use a plural tense to avoid assigning a gender since that's unimportant) smiled and asked how I was. THEY ASKED HOW I WAS! After everything that had occured to them, they were concerned with my well-being.

     Yeah. I realized in that moment how caught up I am in myself. I'm a jerk.

     This I feel, is a fitting way to begin my blogging. I'm still unsure which direction I want to take it, but I will be honest. This person I met today was incredible, and was mostly certainly facing battles much greater than my own. But we, as a whole people, must be kinder. Life is hard in different ways on all factions of life.
     I realize one post cannot change the world, but if one person takes my advice to heart than perhaps I can make someone's day better. My bishop pointed out the kindest thing we can do: Smile. Smile at that person you might otherwise avoid, because that might be the kindest thing anyone has done for them today. Smile at that person you hate, because only love can bridge the chasms of life. Smile when you're sad, because someone surely has it worse.

     Take that Road Less Traveled By, even if you're the only one who does.

Remember to smile. -Lola