Courtney Burkholder

I received an e-mail from a friend last week titled “Natural Highs” and was a list of things that naturally make you smile and feel happy inside. Things like finishing a good book, laughing so hard your face hurts or hearing your favorite song on the radio. It got me to thinking about things people do every day that give them a sense of self worth, a sense of pride.

I am blessed to be surrounded by people who do things every day, not because they get something in return, but simply because it’s the right thing to do. Some of these people I know very well; others I know by name or face only. Still others are simply strangers – people I pass on the street without speaking, but whose actions inspire me to be a better person. I want to share some of those people with you today.

There’s a gentleman in my neighborhood that walks every day carrying a plastic bag. He isn’t walking a dog; he’s picking up trash in our neighborhood – old newspapers, napkins, soda cans. One day, I was taking my own dog for a walk and had tossed a bag of her “business” into my driveway to be thrown away when I returned from jogging. I passed my gentleman friend a block from my house. He was carrying his plastic bag, and when I returned home, Belle’s “business” had disappeared from my driveway.

Thank you, kind sir.

There is a checker at the grocery store where I shop who is always kind and patient, and has a smile for everyone. One day, a cranky, elderly woman in front of me was causing a scene. She was extremely unhappy because the price of strawberries was higher than she originally thought. She griped and complained to the cashier, blaming her for the high price of strawberries, the mis-marked sign in the produce section and the cleanliness of the store. The cashier apologized for the woman’s woes, and when the old woman tottered from the line, the cashier called a young man over to escort the old woman to her car. Then she smiled at me and asked if I had found everything okay.

Thank you for your kindness and patience.

There is a man I know who every day, without exception, on his way home from work, gives the same homeless man some money - whatever he has in his wallet. One day, when he rolled down his window and extended his hand, the homeless man shook his head and said, “Man, you don’t have to give me money every day.” The gentleman replied, “The day may come when I can’t. But as long as I can, I will.”

Thank you. I’m proud to call you my husband.

We are all offered the opportunity to show kindness to people, help someone in need, or offer a friendly smile to someone having a bad day. Big or small, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that we all do our part to improve the world we live in, and by doing so, we improve ourselves.

Here is a list of simple things we can all do to start the process:

• Return the grocery cart instead of leaving it hedged in the parking lot.

• Compliment someone.

• Call your mother and tell her you love her.

• Say “yes” happily when someone asks you for a favor.

• Offer a favor instead of waiting to be asked.

• Sit and visit with a shut-in neighbor.

• Make your husband’s favorite dinner – just because.

• Give your grandmother a manicure.

Good luck! And feel free to improvise!