I believe in the goodness of people

While out Christmas shopping last month, Papa and I stopped at a cafe to rest our weary feet and sip on hot drinks to warm ourselves up. We sat at a cute little table and people-watched, which is what we call sitting and watching people go by, wondering about who they are and the stories of their lives. Sometimes we even make up stories based on the interactions we see, just for fun.

On this particular occasion I left the cafe feeling quite happy about the state of the world, because I was reminded yet again how our country can be in such a sad state, and yet be full of the most generous, kind people.

Next to our cute little table was another, at which a young man was sitting alone, typing on his computer. Shortly after we arrived, he stood up, picked up his laptop, and moved it over to another table by the window. I didn’t have a full view of his new surroundings, so I did not understand why he moved and thought it was a bit odd at the time, but passed it off and continued talking with Papa.

Not ten minutes later a woman came in, walked directly to his table and picked up a purse she had apparently left by its side. She profusely thanked the young man for guarding it for her, and it was at that point I realized why he had moved.

This guy, who had no idea who owned the purse, could have easily picked up the bag and no one would have noticed. Or, he could have remained at his previous table and let someone else deal with the abandoned purse. But no, out of kindness and concern for a stranger, he went out of his way to make sure no one took the purse until its owner returned.

It was a simple gesture, and it wasn’t even my purse, but when I saw what took place it made me feel so good inside. Good about the world, good about people in general, good about where I live.

(Girlie built towers just for little sis to knock over)

You see, no matter how many times you and I get burnt by naysayers, harm-doers, and those who only offer selfishness and discouragement to the world, there will always be good people to counter them. It’s almost as if all the good that people do is their way of putting their foot down and saying, No! Evil and sadness will not take over.

I would even dare say that most people are generally good. We may have our differences, some more significant than others, and we may have some dangerous people in power that we must be wary of, but when it comes to our neighbors, every-day folk we run into at the convenience store, at work, at the park… most of them are just like us. Decent people that just want to live a good life.

(Chickie has been smothering everyone with kisses as of late)

So when you see reports on the news about dangerous characters on the loose, or of all the safety issues we need to remember (because heaven forbid your kid doesn’t get the chicken pox vaccine or they get lost in Walmart and need help finding you!) don’t forget that bad people do not lurk around every corner, that life cannot be lived well if you are consumed by fear, and that it is possible to be safe and to trust that most strangers will be kind, even with valuables like a purse.

This is not to say that you should leave your car doors unlocked in the city, or that you should let your young child go shopping by himself. Obviously some common sense is involved here, and we are big fans of self-defense. But incidences like the one I shared above do remind me how true it is that fear of danger, fear of strangers, can override one’s ability to have faith in the goodness of mankind.

The best way to live, I believe, is by the old adage ~ prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Or, prepare to be safe, but hope (believe) in the best of people.