By Roger Lee
Random acts of kindness make a difference in everyday life. Whether you performed a nice deed or were a recipient of kindness, these acts are something special. But just how far would a
Random acts of kindness make a difference in everyday life. Whether you performed a nice deed or were a recipient of kindness, these acts are something special. But just how far would a
person go for kindness? Earlier this week one man went as far as he could while losing his life in a random act of kindness.
It’s hard to believe that in this day and time people would risk their lives. Earlier this week one brave hero died trying to save a handicapped man. When two college sophomores were asked if they ever engaged in random acts of kindness, both said yes. They also admitted that they never risked their lives in the process.
“All I did was open a door,” recalled Collin Commiskey as he described the time he helped an older gentleman with a bad leg. “I never knew him personally, just saw him at Church once or twice,” recalled Commiskey. Sophomore Mike Chavones had a different story. “Whenever I see cars stranded on the side of the road, I stop and help,” admitted Chovanes. These sophomores would like to believe that if they saw someone in need, they will try their best to help. But what if the person in need could cost you your life?
That tragic thought played out yesterday morning on the Vine Street Expressway in Philadelphia. A motorist stopped his vehicle to help a disabled man stuck in an outer lane of the expressway. He was facing oncoming traffic when Joseph Kelly spotted him around 1:50 a.m. He parked his car and courageously traveled three lanes of traffic to wheel the disabled man to safety. As the two made their way to the far right lane, a pickup truck trying to avoid a pileup slammed into both men. They died almost instantly, police said.
When Mike and Collin learned of the tragedy, they rethought their own acts of kindness. Collin admitted, “If this happened to me in the middle of the daytime with lots of traffic, I’d think twice about stopping and helping the man.” Mike chimed in, “The morality of a decision should not be based on expediency, but rather what is right and wrong.” The roommates both agree that the act was courageous, noble, and a true testament to acts of kindness.
In light of the unfortunate deaths that occurred last Monday morning, people may in fact try and find ways to be nicer to one another. Although Joseph Kelly died trying to save the disabled homeless man on a highway, we as a society have the power to be kind on a smaller scheme. The little things like holding a door or helping a stranded car can also make a big difference. Random acts of kindness cannot be measured by their quantity, but their true intention. Helping is helping no matter what form it comes in. But if more people looked for ways to help one another, random acts of kindness would grow into deliberate acts of love.
It’s hard to believe that in this day and time people would risk their lives. Earlier this week one brave hero died trying to save a handicapped man. When two college sophomores were asked if they ever engaged in random acts of kindness, both said yes. They also admitted that they never risked their lives in the process.
“All I did was open a door,” recalled Collin Commiskey as he described the time he helped an older gentleman with a bad leg. “I never knew him personally, just saw him at Church once or twice,” recalled Commiskey. Sophomore Mike Chavones had a different story. “Whenever I see cars stranded on the side of the road, I stop and help,” admitted Chovanes. These sophomores would like to believe that if they saw someone in need, they will try their best to help. But what if the person in need could cost you your life?
That tragic thought played out yesterday morning on the Vine Street Expressway in Philadelphia. A motorist stopped his vehicle to help a disabled man stuck in an outer lane of the expressway. He was facing oncoming traffic when Joseph Kelly spotted him around 1:50 a.m. He parked his car and courageously traveled three lanes of traffic to wheel the disabled man to safety. As the two made their way to the far right lane, a pickup truck trying to avoid a pileup slammed into both men. They died almost instantly, police said.
When Mike and Collin learned of the tragedy, they rethought their own acts of kindness. Collin admitted, “If this happened to me in the middle of the daytime with lots of traffic, I’d think twice about stopping and helping the man.” Mike chimed in, “The morality of a decision should not be based on expediency, but rather what is right and wrong.” The roommates both agree that the act was courageous, noble, and a true testament to acts of kindness.
In light of the unfortunate deaths that occurred last Monday morning, people may in fact try and find ways to be nicer to one another. Although Joseph Kelly died trying to save the disabled homeless man on a highway, we as a society have the power to be kind on a smaller scheme. The little things like holding a door or helping a stranded car can also make a big difference. Random acts of kindness cannot be measured by their quantity, but their true intention. Helping is helping no matter what form it comes in. But if more people looked for ways to help one another, random acts of kindness would grow into deliberate acts of love.
