Rita’s Reflections

I have been thinking lately about how the world could use some more kindness in it. I need to remind myself of my need to continue to live kindness to my family, people at the store, and representatives on the telephone...anywhere I encounter people. I was reading a story about a man named George, who was known for his kindness to all people.

George worked at a hospital and was one day hospitalized there. The CEO of the hospital came by to visit and they chatted like long-time friends. Shortly after, one of the custodians visited with George as well and they also had a very friendly conversation.

George’s children observed both of these encounters with the president and the custodian. They commented that he treated both of them the exact same way. George smiled and said, “Let me ask you something: if the president left for two weeks and the custodian left for two weeks, which one do you think would be missed more?”

He added, “Let me show you something that I carry in my pocket every day.” He showed them a pocket-sized cross and a marble with the golden rule on it. “On the cross, the words, ‘God loves you’ are written on them, and on the marble are the words, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ The cross reminds me of how deeply God loves me, and the marble reminds me of how deeply God wants me to love others.”