kindness

McNeil works as a barista at a Starbucks in DuPont, Washington. Back in January 2017, she noticed that one of her regulars, Vince Villano, had been looking rather depressed every time he came in to order his cold brew. He kind of seemed like an Eeyore, just a little bit grouchy, a little bit of a sad sack all the time. After several visits, she finally decided to ask: “What’s been going on with you?” She insisted that she was willing to listen to him, so Villano got the courage to sit down with her and explain that he had polycystic kidney disease, an incurable genetic condition that causes cysts to form on his kidneys. Villano needed a kidney transplant – otherwise, he would be facing a lifetime of dialysis or worse. McNeil was heartbroken. As the day progressed, she could not stop thinking about Villano’s predicament, so when she finally got home from work, she recounted the story to her husband Justin. Then without hesitation, Justin said: “I’ve got a kidney, you know, we could do this. I think I’m willing to do that.” After volunteering to get tested, Justin and Villano began spending holidays and weekends together only to find that they had a lot in common – they were both Army veterans, they both liked hiking and camping, and even more excitingly, they were perfect donor matches. Although we often focus on our own lives and avoid interfering in others’ affairs, life would undoubtedly improve if we looked out for one another and showed genuine concern for each other’s well-being. After all, there is only one race— and that’s the human race. Let’s nurture and protect it with kindness.

In a rare display of compassion, a police officer in Somerset, Massachusetts, responded to a shoplifting incident by buying groceries for the suspects instead of pressing charges. It was five days before Christmas when Officer Matt Lima responded to a report of shoplifting at a Stop & Shop grocery store. Upon arrival, he learned that two women with two young children had not scanned all of their groceries at the self-checkout before exiting the store. Officer Lima took the women aside and discovered they had fallen on hard times and attempted to take the additional groceries to provide a Christmas dinner for their children. The mother of the children was not working and had some other family issues going on. Rather than filing criminal charges, Officer Lima served the women with Notice Not To Trespass forms. He then purchased $250 worth of gift cards with his own money so the women could buy groceries for their Christmas dinner at another Stop & Shop location. “The two children with the women reminded me of my kids, so I had to help them out,” Officer Lima said. He added, “I just did what I felt was right. It’s not about me, I just tried to put myself in that family’s shoes and show a little bit of empathy.” Chief George McNeil commended Officer Lima’s actions, stating, “They exemplify what it means to protect and serve the members of our community. When faced with a difficult situation in which a family was trying to provide a meal for their kids, he made the generous decision to not press charges and instead ensured that they would have a Christmas dinner they could enjoy.” Even the toughest tasks can become manageable when we prioritize kindness and empathy as fundamental values in everything we do. May we continually radiate kindness.

Lawrence Jaramillo and Joshua Melendrez, two former inmates, have transformed their lives by finding success in the forestry industry after their release from prison. While incarcerated at the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility, they participated in a state-run program focused on firefighting and prevention. This initiative equipped them with essential life skills for reintegration into society and also placed them on the front lines of wildfire response teams in New Mexico. Fueled by their experiences, both men dreamed of starting a business together upon their release. After gaining their freedom in July 2017 and January 2018, they took the leap and founded All Around Forestry. Since obtaining a business license in November 2019, Jaramillo and Melendrez have employed a crew of former inmates, creating valuable opportunities for others facing similar challenges. Their success story proclaims that life continues after the darkest of nights and that adversity can be transformed into opportunity. Life can often feel discouraging, especially during our lowest moments. However, Jaramillo and Melendrez exemplify that with determination, self-love, kindness and a positive outlook, we can overcome daunting challenges. Their journey is indeed a reminder that self-kindness and love are crucial in restoring our spirits during uncertain times. Every ending is merely a new beginning—by being kind to ourselves and maintaining a positive attitude, we can better spread kindness and positivity to those around us.

Sy Newson Green faced a crisis during his freshman year of high school. His father required a heart transplant, and his mother suffered an accident that left her visually impaired. With both parents losing their jobs, Green’s future at Palma School, a private all-boys Catholic institution, was suddenly uncertain. Unexpectedly, help came from an unlikely source: inmates at California’s Soledad Prison. These inmates pooled their earnings from prison jobs, with some external assistance, to cover the majority of Green’s tuition, amounting to an impressive $32,000, enabling him to complete his education through graduation. The inspiration for this initiative stemmed from a book club. Jim Micheletti, an English and theology teacher at Palma School, initiated a reading program called Exercises in Empathy at Soledad seven years prior. This program facilitated regular discussions between Palma students and inmates, fostering a deeper understanding and challenging stereotypes. Micheletti noted the transformation in students’ perceptions, saying, “They go in thinking ‘monster,’ and they come out thinking ‘a man, a human being.’” Among the inmates, Jason Bryant and Ted Gray, who were serving long sentences, aimed to create a positive narrative despite their not so colourful pasts. They decided to establish a scholarship fund for a deserving Palma student, selecting Sy Green, who excelled academically and athletically. Over the next three years, Bryant and Gray worked diligently from behind prison walls to raise funds for Green’s education. Although most contributions were modest, the consistency made the difference. Now 19, Green graduated from Palma last year and is currently studying at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. After serving 20 years, Bryant received clemency and now works as the Director of Restorative Programs at CROP, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing recidivism through training, career development, and stable housing. He believes that helping others is the key to breaking the cycle of crime and punishment.

Kevin and Blake first met at summer camp when they were 13 years old. Even at a young age, Kevin thought Blake was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Although they stayed in touch through instant messaging and phone calls in the following years, they eventually lost contact due to the distance between Indianapolis and Michigan. One year after they stopped talking, when Kevin and Blake were both 17 years old, a fateful phone call changed their lives forever. Kevin was seconds away from taking his own life, having already written a suicide note, when his phone vibrated in his pocket. It was Blake calling him out of the blue. During their conversation, Kevin confessed to Blake that he had been planning to commit suicide. Shocked and concerned, Blake talked him down and made him promise to call her the next day. Over the following months, the two became even closer friends until they fell in love and started dating. Ten years after that pivotal phone call, in 2015, Kevin proposed to Blake. During his proposal, he reportedly told her, “I love you. Also, thanks for saving my life.” This story does cause some unexplainable, yet familiar vibrations in my consciousness. And I really hope it will make us all see the need to regularly check up on people. That phone call, that SMS! may be all that’s needed to save an unspeakable situation. T.A.L.K to someone today.

An Arizona woman heroically rescued her neighbors from a house fire, an act captured on their doorbell camera. Early on New Year’s Day, Carolyn Palisch noticed smoke drifting past her window and rushed to check on the Salgado family, who lived next door. The footage shows her banging on their front door in Avondale, Arizona, until she finally woke them at 7:30 AM. Nicole Salgado expressed gratitude for Carolyn’s persistence, noting that they escaped just moments before the roof collapsed. The fire caused the Salgado family to lose all their belongings, but a GoFundMe campaign did raise $48,000 of their $50,000 goal. Nicole Salgado described the frantic moments as they scrambled to escape, with everyone rushing out without shoes or socks. They were in shock as they watched their home burn, thankful to be alive. And grateful for Carolyn’s quick actions that saved their lives. Nicole remarked on the situation, emphasizing their appreciation for Carolyn and her bravery. “If it wasn’t for her, it’d be a totally different story,” Nicole said, declaring Carolyn a part of their family. One another is all we’ve got, let’s be intentional about being one another’s keeper; Always looking out for one another.

Mercedes Boggs, a young woman from Kentucky, narrowly escaped death when her car hit a patch of ice, flipped on its side, and slid down an embankment into a frigid creek. Trapped inside her mangled vehicle with cold water rushing in, she regained consciousness and felt a sense of despair. However, fate intervened when a stranger appeared, making his way toward her. In that moment, Boggs felt a sense of relief, stating, “When I saw him, it was just like everything was fine. I wasn’t even scared anymore. I just knew that that was like my saving grace.” The stranger, identified as John Burke, a Kentucky coal miner, was on his way home from his night shift when he witnessed the accident. Without hesitation, he stopped to help. Burke freed Boggs from her vehicle and was assisting her up the embankment when her car burst into flames. Had he arrived just half a minute later; Boggs would likely have perished in the ensuing explosion. After an ambulance crew took charge, Burke continued on his way, unaware of the scale of kindness he had done, and inspired. Meanwhile, Boggs was rushed to the hospital without knowing the name of her saviour. In a desperate attempt to find and thank him, she turned to social media, posting a heartfelt plea on Facebook. Within hours, her post was shared nearly 900 times, catching Burke’s attention, who then reached out to her. When Boggs spoke with Burke, she expressed her immense gratitude, but he downplayed his role, not seeing himself as a hero. However, Boggs and her family viewed him as a true superhero. “Kids look up to Batman and Superman; that’s how I look at John now. He will forever be my hero,” she told News outlets. Burke’s selfless act of kindness not only saved Boggs’ life but has also restored faith in humanity.

Chelsea Timmons decided to end her delivery shift early due to worsening road conditions in Austin, Texas. However, her last delivery took an unexpected turn when her car became stuck in the customer’s driveway, leading to a fortunate turn of events. Attempting to avoid a walk up the steep driveway, Timmons, an H-E-B grocery employee, tried to drive up but ended up sliding into the garden. Despite the couple’s efforts to help her move the car, they were unsuccessful, and with AAA overwhelmed by calls, they invited her to stay in their home as the weather deteriorated. Nina Richardson expressed, “It’s just what you do when stuff shows up,” while her partner Doug Condon added that they hoped someone would help their daughters in a similar situation. Over dinner, Timmons shared her dream of opening a bakery, and in gratitude, she promised to bake them a gluten-free coconut cake. Timmons spent five days in their spare room, bonding with their dog and feeling truly grateful for the warm reception and hospitable nature of her new found family. She discovered that her own apartment had lost water and power, making her stay with the couple a fortunate escape “I certainly enjoyed much better meals here,” she remarked, grateful for the way they welcomed her and made her feel like a member of their family.

A popular restaurant in Huntly, New Zealand, was bustling with customers when an unexpected family emergency left the chef as the only staff member available to serve customers. When Emily Puhi arrived at Thai Food Huntly, she noticed the restaurant was full, with people waiting to either pay for their meals or pick up take-out orders. Realizing the chef was overwhelmed and unable to take orders or handle payments, she witnessed a remarkable act of community spirit. A woman waiting to pay took the initiative to grab some paper and began waiting tables for the chef. Another customer stepped in to wash dishes, and a nearby shop employee offered assistance as well. With the chef’s approval, this worker managed the cash register to ensure everyone could settle their bills. “It was such a beautiful feeling,” Emily shared with the New Zealand Herald. This incident painted the concept of ‘customer service’ in living colours, giving it a whole new meaning. Emily expressed on Facebook, “We could easily feel the sense of community all around the place.” Also noting how frowns turned to smiles and grumpy waiting turned to patiently waiting. When we let our humanity shine through, there is no dark moment that love and kindness cannot illuminate.

Business owners seeking to maximize their advertising budgets usually allocate funds to media buys. However, one Wisconsin restaurateur found that his best return on investment came from an unexpected source: promoting his competitors. Adolfo Melendez, the owner of the Tex-Mex restaurant El Mezcal, did experience firsthand, the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the restaurant industry, particularly on family-run establishments like his own. He recognizes that small businesses represent more than just revenue; they embody the heart, soul, vision, and hard work of their owners. Melendez, who identifies with his fellow small business owners as friends and neighbours, took action to support his community. He purchased over $2,000 in gift cards from other local restaurants and has been raffling them off to his customers through Facebook. Pete Ananiadis, the owner of Olympia Family Restaurant, expressed gratitude for Melendez’s altruistic efforts, stating that during the COVID-19 crisis, it was crucial to support local, small businesses, and acknowledging that Melendez understood that so well. In a highly competitive industry, Melendez believes that diversity enhances a community’s character. He values the success of his peers, viewing it as a reflection of his own, and he encourages others to embrace efforts that help others to not only survive but thrive. May we continue to embrace the Ubuntu Philosophy; for truly it shouldn’t be about you, nor should it be about me. It should be about us, through kindness, love and respect, making life better for us all.