Eclipse

A burden shared is a burden halved; a joy shared is a joy doubled. It’s a phrase that points towards a defining principle of being human: the desire to be known and loved by others. This instinct is uniquely situated to provide us with motivation and energy, especially when the going gets tough. I’d like to describe this feeling another way, one that’s personal to me and my experience. Whenever I’m going to my family’s home after an especially long time away, like a term at school, I always look forward to my dog’s reaction when I walk in.

When was the last time someone did something kind for you? Was it a little surprising that someone might be going out of their way to help you? What if acts of kindness were the norm, instead of the exception? I learned recently of a message board in my middle school where people could write a note about a kind thing that someone did for them. It’s a demonstration of how much small acts of kindness mean to us, and it’s an opportunity to give some of that kindness back to the world.