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KIDS OF CHARACTER 11/16/2009
Nameless Acts Of Kindness "The best portion of a good man's life are his little nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love." William Wordsworth's captivating statement speaks to the heart of the person of character. Over my lifetime I have been the beneficiary of acts of kindness and love offered to me through quiet, unmistakable actions of individuals who knew that a person of character learns to embrace a deep regard for others. When I was in 7th grade, a family pet died at Christmas time. My teacher, Mrs. Gale, an otherwise no-nonsense math teacher, treated me with a gentle hand when she learned why I was upset. When I was a freshman in college, I met a pastor on the campus of the University of Southern California, who took the time with me to address important questions of self-discovery. When I was sorting out a professional career direction in 1985, I had a friend, a retired Army colonel, who took an afternoon with me in thoughtful reflection and conversation to help me sort out my future. If the opportunity were available to me today to go those people and say, "Do you remember when…"I am confident they would say, "You know, I just don't." The way of unremembered kindness and love is like a gentle breeze that breathes fresh life into the moment and moves quietly unnoticed on its way. But the one touched by that caring breeze…that selfless gift of the heart…that one does remember. We are all shaped by the generosity of spirit that comes to us from significant others who know when there is a moment to connect…and they do not miss the moment because of a nose-to-the-grindstone preoccupied mind. I have been encouraged and enriched by the compassionate character that such moments have given to me. They remind me that it's good to remember how tightly woven we are as family, friends, workers and acquaintances. It is so easy to forget the fact that nameless, unremembered acts of kindness are the heart of all relationships.
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