Swandeh Terhide

England has recently been shaken by a series of riots, vandalism, and violence, with some incidents specifically targeting the Muslim community. However, one man’s actions have gone viral on social media, demonstrating that such reprehensible behavior is not representative of the broader society in Jolly Olde England. Last Tuesday, a mosque in Southport was tragically set ablaze, but local bricklayer Tony Hill has earned the title of “legend” for his tireless efforts to help the community rebuild. Working under the sweltering sun, Hill laid bricks with remarkable speed and efficiency, embodying the spirit of resilience. In a viral video clip shared on X, Hill can be seen laboring intensely, sweat pouring down his face as he mixes mortar and explains his motivations. His words, slightly edited for clarity, reflect a deep commitment to his community: “We spoke to the company we work for, and the [other building crews] were coming down, so we just joined them. And yeah, just try and get it done before someone comes back. ” He continued, emphasizing the importance of community safety: “We just really want to get this up so that the community is safe. It’s just a community, isn’t it? You can tell by… just looking at everyone here, it’s quite diverse. ” The mosque’s destruction followed a tragic incident where three young women were stabbed to death on Monday. The riots in Southport were fueled by a surge of misinformation circulating on social media, particularly a false claim that the perpetrator was a migrant from a majority Muslim country on the MI6 watchlist, as reported by the London Economic. Despite the racial tensions surrounding the events, Hill maintained a generous and diplomatic stance. When asked if he had a message for those responsible for the mosque’s destruction, he responded with empathy: “Get your facts straight before you start doing stuff. Facebook’s a dangerous thing.” His words serve as a reminder of the importance of truth and understanding in times of turmoil. May we always stick to the kindness, truth and sincerity that unite us while we work tirelessly to silence the voice of disharmony.

Many years ago, during the early days of my sobriety, I sought help by joining a support group. They provided me with valuable advice, urging me to avoid becoming too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired—an acronym known as HALT, which is also a common reminder for parents of small children. After a card game at the group’s clubhouse, I stepped outside to gather my thoughts and calm my nerves. I was torn between satisfying my hunger at a nearby burger joint or returning inside to combat my loneliness. In that moment of uncertainty, I decided to follow the group’s guidance and offered a quick prayer: “God, I really don’t know what to do right now. Please help me. ” Just five seconds after my heartfelt plea, I heard a distinct “flump-flump-flump.” A young woman had pulled up across the street with a flat tire. Looking up, I realized the message was clear: “You want me to change a tire? Alright… I guess I can do that. ” As I changed the tire, my hunger still loomed in the background, creating a tension between my immediate needs and the comfort of the support group. Before long, the tire was fixed. The young woman turned to me and said, “I don’t have any money, but I feel like you deserve something for helping me out. ”I waved her off, saying, “Oh no, it was no trouble at all. I’m just glad to help.” I didn’t mention the strange twist of fate that had accompanied my prayer. To my surprise, she continued, “I may not have money, but I do have a cheeseburger you can have, I accepted the burger and it did serve a great purpose.” This could be rightly described as an arrangement by the Universe to address simultaneously, two issues from two people that each needed what the other had at that point in time. Truly each other is all we’ve got. Let’s keep being kind to one another in a very consistent manner.

No age is too small or too big to embrace selflessness and act kindly. The story of 7-year-old Eli Davidson courageously rescuing his baby sister from a house fire is a powerful testament to this truth. On December 8, in New Tazewell, Tennessee, a 7-year-old boy named Eli Davidson emerged as a hero by rescuing his baby sister from a devastating house fire. The evening began like any other for the Davidson family, with parents Chris and Nicole putting their three children to bed by 8:30 PM. However, in the still of the night, Nicole was awakened by the smell of smoke. Within moments, their home was engulfed in flames, trapping 22-month-old Erin in her room. Chris Davidson recounted the harrowing situation, stating, “The smoke and fire were so thick that there was no way I could get to her.” Despite the danger, young Eli did not hesitate to act. Chris and Nicole managed to get their son Elijah out, but they were unable to reach Erin. In a remarkable display of bravery, Eli climbed through a window and successfully retrieved his sister from her crib. Eli’s courageous actions saved Erin’s life, and their parents expressed immense pride in their son’s heroism. Chris remarked, “He did something a grown man wouldn’t do,” highlighting Eli’s extraordinary bravery in the face of danger. Tragically, by the time firefighters arrived, the house was completely lost. The family, who has fostered 34 children and adopted two, is now facing significant challenges, including the loss of their home and possessions. They have started a GoFundMe campaign to help rebuild their lives. Reflecting on the ordeal, seven-year-old Eli shared, “I thought I couldn’t do it, but then I said, ‘I got her, dad.’ I was scared, but I didn’t want my sister to die.” Chris Davidson emphasized the gravity of their loss, stating, “We lost everything that we have ever had. Our entire lives were in that home.” On the other end of the spectrum, older individuals are often the ones who have the wisdom, resources, and life experiences to make a profound impact through altruism. Whether it’s volunteering, mentoring, or simply being a kind and supportive presence in the lives of others, people of all ages can embrace the transformative power of selflessness.

Breanna Bethke, a teenager from Fort Dodge, Iowa, recently received a delightful surprise when her bedroom was transformed into a dream space designed to help her relax and recover during her battle with a rare autoimmune illness. Breanna had been diagnosed with Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) after experiencing symptoms like high fevers, body aches, and constant fatigue starting last August. She underwent chemotherapy treatment until mid-October following her diagnosis and has been stable since January, not requiring further treatment unless her HLH flares up. The bedroom makeover was organized by Kari Swisher, who leads My Happy Place in Fort Dodge, an organization that has completed makeovers for around ten sick adults in the local area. Breanna was selected for the room makeover after being nominated by fellow students from Fort Dodge. Kara Ocenasek, a volunteer at My Happy Place who had experienced a bedroom makeover herself while dealing with breast cancer, spent the past two months designing Breanna’s room. The new space features an LED fireplace, a stylish vanity, and numerous faith-based decorations. Breanna expressed her gratitude and excitement for the surprise, saying, “This is fantastic. It’s incredible. I love it, and I’m extremely grateful. “HLH is a serious condition characterized by widespread inflammation that can be life-threatening. It frequently accompanies other medical conditions, termed secondary HLH, which may be associated with diseases such as infections or cancer. While treatments like bone marrow transplants can provide some extension of life, the prognosis for primary HLH remains challenging. It is essential to show compassion and support for those around us, particularly the sick and those who are most in need of care.

Sometimes, life places us in situations so we can salvage such situations. May we never shy away from any opportunity life throws at us to show kindness especially when a life is involved. Michael was fortunate that his heart stopped while flying, as a healthcare professional was just a few rows away. Emily Raines, an acute care nurse from Baltimore, was returning from a vacation in the Bahamas with her boyfriend when the flight attendant announced a medical emergency, seeking anyone with medical training. Without hesitation, Raines volunteered to help. As she rushed to the passenger’s side, she coordinated with her boyfriend, a former nurse, to prepare for the situation. “If we have to do compressions, I need you to do compressions. I’ll handle everything else,” she recalled, outlining their strategy during the tense moments. Upon reaching the man, Raines found him slumped over, purple, and unresponsive. Together, they performed CPR for approximately 23 minutes. Their efforts paid off just seven minutes before landing when the man was revived. Once the plane landed, he was immediately taken to the hospital, while Raines returned to her seat to a hero’s welcome from fellow passengers. Through acts of kindness, let us continually honour, recognize, and cherish the sanctity of life.

When Iowa teen Lauren Schroeder showed up to a community food drive during COVID, she didn’t see a lot that actually nourished people—just a lot of boxed and canned goods. She decided to become the change she wanted to see, and after receiving a half-acre of land from her parents, she grew 7,000 pounds of produce with a market value of around $15,000 and gave it all away to food banks and non-profits in the Quad Cities area. The senior from Calamus-Wheatland High School likes to tend cattle and play softball, and had never managed a garden before, but according to her mother Katie Schroeder, she took studies of agronomy and gardening to heart. Her work drew the attention of the education-industry organization called Future Farmers of America, which gave her a small grant for supplies and seeds. She received help from her younger siblings, but still put in the hard yards of watering and weeding—2 to 3 hours in total every day. Her work, and FFA’s trust, soon bore fruit, and she began donating 15 types of veggies to organizations like Carroll Assistance Center, Wheatland Nursing Home, Café on Vine, River Bend Food Bank, Lost Nation Food Pantry, Family Resources, Lady of the Prairie, and Community Action of Eastern Iowa. “It was a really good feeling to know that anyone who wanted fresh vegetables would be able to get them,” Lauren told the Washington Post. “I knew that I wanted to keep going.” After receiving a second grant from Future Farmers of America, she turned her half acre into a full acre, and expanded the number of vegetables to 20 different species. Her goal is to donate 20,000 pounds of vegetables by the time she graduates next June. “How could you not be proud,” said her mother Katie, “she really chose to focus on learning about agronomy, learning about gardening, learning about vegetables, but just really taking it to the next level and actually helping people out with it.” How beautiful it is when people do things from a very kind point of view.

Frontier Airlines recently had a special guest on their flight from Florida to Puerto Rico—5-year-old Xavier Rivas who was preparing to ‘graduate’ from kindergarten. But because the graduation at his school was taking place whilst young Xavier was 35,000 feet above sea level, Frontier attendants stepped in to give him a special ceremony. Calling his name from the intercom, they invited all the passengers to offer congratulations as Xavier walked down the aisle in a red cap and gown. “He is missing his graduation, his Kindergarten graduation today. And because he chose to fly Frontier instead, we are giving him his graduation ceremony on this flight,” the attendant said. Passengers were recording the special moment and many offered high-fives to the little guy, whose special day included a visit to the cockpit to meet the pilots, and some small presents as well. He was absolutely thrilled; his face just lit up,” Janeiry Rivas, Xavier’s mother, shared with Good Morning America. “He was incredibly excited, receiving high-fives from everyone and soaking up the cheers.” Truly, the most beautiful of moments in life arise when disappointment lingers real near.