Erin Smith, Journal Staff Writer

Sometimes, I often wonder as I hear of all the various manner of mischief and mayhem people cause if folks ever stop to think what their actions in daily life say about them as a person. Do people realize the actions they take each day are speaking volumes about what they believe and who we are as a culture?

Believe it or not, our actions do have consequences in other people’s lives. Some of them good, and some of them not so good.

For example, the other day I was out running errands and as I dashed into the local Wal-Mart store a more senior member of our community was leaving the store. She had her purchases tucked into her arms and didn’t notice she had dropped one of the smaller bags.

A young man that appeared to be in his teens called out to her to get her attention and picked up the bag and handed it to her. After handing her the wayward package, he offered to help her get to her car. The lady kindly refused his offer, but thanked him for picking up her bag and handing it to her.

Seeing this reassured me there is still some “good” left in the world and some parents are trying to instill positive values in our youth, but what did his actions convey about him?

In going about our daily lives, we consistently encounter chances to help others, but what do we do with those chances? Usually, we decide we’re too busy to get involved. Taking five minutes out of our day to help the elderly lady secure her packages in her car without losing one is seen as an inconvenience rather than as a kindly act.

When we are driving about town do we get irritated when the light suddenly changes to red without warning and say some things that would make a sailor proud?

The same day I went to Wal-Mart, I saw a car on the highway passing another car and making obscene gestures to the driver.  The rude driver appeared to also be saying some not-so-nice things to the other vehicle’s driver, all with a child in the car. I wondered, does that same rude person commit these acts then tell his child not to do those very same things? Does that parent then get frustrated when the child is caught using obscene gestures and foul language? Whether that rude driver realizes it or not, his child is watching his behavior, and will try to be just like mommy or daddy.

People don’t always realize that how we treat others not only has an impact on that individual at that moment, but it also has an effect on how others perceive us to be.

When we perform an act of kindness for another, others may perceive us as selfless and kindhearted. Some may perceive it as being a “do-gooder,” but whatever the label, you will be remembered for it.

There are people who believe in a philosophy called, “pay it forward.” Those  who subscribe to that philosophy believe that each day, you should perform a random act of kindness for another without expecting anything in return.

It seems we are all so busy that it is inconvenient to stop long enough to help someone change a flat tire or call a lady’s attention to the fact she is about to leave her purse in her shopping cart.

Yes, it’s easier to simply not get involved. That teenager could have simply stepped over the package the lady dropped and never told her she lost it. When she arrived back home, she may not have remembered where she placed it, or may even have decided she forgot to get the items in the bag. Thanks to that teenager, who took an extra five minutes of his time, she got home with all her purchases safely in her car.

In a society that is so caught up in rushing here and rushing there with little or no time for family and social activities, it’s nice to encounter someone who still remembers to say please and thank you and who will stop to help an elderly lady get her packages in her car. What do your actions say about you?

— Erin Smith can be reached by                  telephone at 862-4163 or by e-mail at esmith@bladenjournal.com.