Re: 117th Boston Marathon (my tribute to those who've shown lovingkindess)

I’m sure you’d agree with me if I told you that if you had a nickel for every time you heard someone call someone else rotten, you’d be a rich (wo)man. Sometimes you may be led to trust the illusion that it’s difficult to come by a decent human being, because frequent are the seasons during which you hear bad news regarding crime and cruelty.

But I believe that the “more-people-are-scoundrels-than-gentlefolk” notion is one of the fattest fallacies ever proposed, and the past few days’ occurrences support my belief.

April 15, 2013. The 117^th Boston Marathon. What was supposed to be a blissfully exciting day had been tragically flipped upside-down and inside-out by someone’s poor decision to be hurtful. Citizens of the United States and many other places across the globe are mourning and reflecting upon that day in solemnity, as they should. Star-spangled banners are waving at half-mast, as they should.

Cheer can be located in all of this, though. Have you noticed the people who, on the day of the explosions, instinctively did all in their power to aid those who are affected by the tragedy? Instinctive desires of the heart led people to leave beautiful flowers at the home of the little boy who died at the scene; to carry and wheelchair the injured to safety; to visit the hospitals and stand in long lines to donate blood; and to sign up on a certain Google document to offer rides, beds, meals, showers, and the love of pet Chihuahuas to anyone stranded at the Marathon. Instinctive desires of the heart led people totally unassociated with the Marathon and its participants to promptly pray for their aching fellowmen’s comfort and welfare. How sweet it is to know that this is what our country’s people are capable of and seek to do the moment they notice the needs of others.

Now, back to the fallacy that “more-people-are-scoundrels-than-gentlefolk.”

A segment from a superb article about the Boston situation quotes a certain man who offered service via the aforementioned Google doc:

“There's more good people out there than bad people. And it's way more. The scales aren't even close.”

This man and I both agree that more people are gentlefolk than scoundrels, in the sense that they want to be helpers in life. We see how naturally hundreds—and even thousands—of people want to be helpers, especially in the aftermaths of critical moments.

(Now, on to my concluding point.) The key is that we try to be helpers at all times. If we try to be helpful and positive at all times, including but not limited to the outwardly critical moments, surely there will be instances when we will have aided those who were in need silently, in their inner selves, unbeknownst to possibly any other soul. By way of ordinary people who have demonstrated the extraordinary practice of trying to be this type of constant helper, I have been the recipient of lovingkindness many times. Such times I have never forgotten, and such people I shall always be thankful for.