By Denae Jones-

Suppose a man enters your meeting wearing an expensive suit, and a person wearing rags comes in right after him. If you said to the man in the suit, “Sit here; this is the best seat in the house!” and either ignore the other person or say, “Better sit here in the back row,” haven’t you set them apart and judged? If we are being really honest with ourselves, how often do we dismiss others because of their appearance? If we do that, we have missed an opportunity.
There is a show on Netflix that is now in its second season that will forever stay on my ‘must watch’ list. I watched it myself. Then I had my husband watch it with me. Now I’m watching it with my kids. It’s called ‘The Kindness Diaries.’ A man named Leon Logothetis sets out to prove that, despite all of the hate and unrest in the world, there are still kind people. He travels the globe relying completely on the kindness of strangers to buy his gas, feed him, and give him shelter. Although he gets help from a vast array of very generous people, what he generally finds is that it’s the ‘person in rags’ that reaches out to help him most. It’s not usually the ‘man in a business suit’. I found it interesting that more often than not, the ones who had the least to give were the ones who gave the most.
Over the course of his global adventure, Leon shares the day with people from all different nationalities, customs, beliefs, and walks of life. He takes time to really listen to their stories. He hears them. The best part of the show is what the unsuspecting ‘good Samaritans’ who help him don’t know. Leon is really there to give back. He and his crew surprise them with huge acts of kindness that not only change the life of that person, but has the potential to change many other lives as well. The end of each episode shows a follow-up of how each person is using the gift Leon and his crew gave them to spread kindness to others. It leaves you with a new spark of hope and compassion for humanity.
I believe that each of us were put exactly where we are right now, at this exact time in history for a reason. God has a purpose for each of us. We can spend our lives looking for what other people are going to do for us, or we can spend it looking for ways we can do something to make a difference. Although Leon had an amazing opportunity to travel the world and help thousands of people, we don’t have to look very far to spread kindness.
There is a quote from Mother Teresa that says, “The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.” Is there anyone who feels lonely or unloved in our own homes? Our neighborhood? Our hometown? What can we do to help? If we can’t think of anyone in particular, maybe we could consider reaching out to local organizations to be a mentor or a volunteer. Libraries, schools, and churches could be a good place to start.
In my neck of the woods, The Shepherd’s Place and Empower Youth do amazing things to help educate and feed hundreds of youth in our community and surrounding communities, and they are always looking for donations and volunteers. They teach life skills and show students how to give back. But most importantly they give hugs generously and let each child leave with a full belly, and knowing they are important and loved.
Today, I challenge you to do at least one thing that will make a difference in someone else’s life. I bet it will make a difference in yours as well! It could be as simple as picking up the phone to speak with someone you haven’t heard from in ages. Just check in. Maybe it’s helping a neighbor bring a package in out of the rain, or looking that person in the eye to say hello on the street. Maybe it’s simply giving someone the gift of your time. Listen to their story, and find the source of their pain. Maybe it’s buying a wandering stranger a tank of gas.
We can’t ever be sure what a new day will bring, but there is one thing for certain: Each and every day that you are here and breathing air, you are someone’s answer. Yes, YOU. You can be the answer to someone’s loneliness. Hunger. Lack of respect. You can help someone smile. Find a friend. Feel worthy. Know they are loved. Your purpose for today can give them purpose for tomorrow.
The opening paragraph of this article is from James 2 in the Bible. There is more to the story, but it ends like this: “Love others as you love yourself.” It’s that simple.
Have a blessed week, friends! And as Leon says, “Go be kind.”
Denae Jones is the author of Love, Joy, Peace and Everyday Grace for Teens, available most places books are sold. If you would like to volunteer at The Shepherd’s Place, follow this link: https://www.theshepherdsplacellc.com/ If you would like to volunteer at Empower Youth, follow this link: https://empoweryouth.me/.