Small Peace is Big Peace

I was observing in a third-grade classroom. Groups of 4 to 6 students were at each table making beaded necklaces. At the center of each table was a small bucket of beads. There were only so many of each color available.

I heard a scuffle between two students. They were arguing over a certain color of bead. A third student interjected,

"Hey guys, if we fight about beads, how can we ever expect to have world peace.

They're just beads!"

I stood there, so stunned, as the two students somehow worked out their differences.

YMMD!

This 8 year-old student knew more about peace than many adults I know. Whether it's for land, for economic gain, or whatever the root feelings are similar - "you can't have this because I want it."

If we can't handle small episodes of conflict, how can we ever expect to negotiate the large ones?

Now I know of three students who will grow up to be adults. I hope that they will remember how they learned to share their beads...

Now Let's Add 20 Years to Your Age

It was a Monday morning. We all know how those feel...

My mother and I were in the elevator heading for the ground floor. Our eyes watched as we passed 4....3....2.... At level one the elevator paused. The doors slowly slid open and a tiny boy, roughly six years old, peered up at us. With a tug of his left hand, his wheely backpack entered behind him. He continued to lift his eyes to us as he said, "good morning!"

We returned the greeting, smiling to ourselves.

Seconds later, we were at the ground floor. I paused, waiting for the child to exit first. Instead, he held out his arm to hold open the elevator door. With his other hand he made a, "please, you first" gesture.

I was just flabbergasted! Totally incredulous! I said, "what excellent manners" as I passed him through the elevator doors.

But that's not it!

I pressed the release button to open the doors to our elevator lobby. My mother was holding the door open by this point, the child was behind her and I followed last.

Now, instead of continuing past and out the lobby door, the little boy stopped to hold that door with my mother so that I might pass through.

Did I mention this boy was totally on his own? No parents were prodding him to act this way. He had no obligation to act "good" in front of us at all. We were total strangers!

All the way to the car, I repeated, "I can't believe it! I can't believe it!" That same night, I told the story to my father over dinner. He smiled and laughed as well!

Today is the day after, and I am still completely amazed by the kindness and consideration of that young boy. He completely made my day!