That Burns My Biscuits!
Published 2:20 pm Tuesday, June 23, 2020
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By E.J. SMITH
Last time we talked about things again that truly burn our biscuits. I don’t know about y’all, but discussing negatives is growing tiresome. I need more positive thoughts during this year, probably the worst many of us have seen. So, for the next few weeks, maybe forever, we will be talking about ways we can support and help each other overcome the evil that is attempting to take over the world.
My grandmother used to tell me to “kill them with kindness.” If someone insults you, be kind, it’ll kill them! Kill them? Well, none of us want to commit that sin. We can take “kill them” as meaning that they will feel so bad about being unkind that they will hesitate to continue such behavior. Martin Luther King used kindness and peaceful protests. Ghandi used peaceful protests and kindness. They both changed the world. Maybe we can change ours as well. Let’s get to it!
Last week, my friends and I were off on a jaunt to the woods, as usual, looking for wildflowers, waterfalls and any other wonderful scenery we could find. We stopped at a local store to pick up snacks. My friend had on a shirt with a pattern on it and the young lady who was helping her exclaimed how she had the pants to match and she just loved my friend’s shirt. Christine came to the car and took out an extra shirt she had brought along and changed shirts and gave her shirt to the young lady who was so excited about it. Kind of pumps up the meaning of “she’ll give you the shirt off her back,” doesn’t it?
The other day at McDonald’s drive-thru, I ordered my biscuit and coffee and when I started to pull up, a car from the other ordering lane edged me out and went ahead of me. I just smiled as I am never in that big of a hurry, but when I got to the window to pay, the cashier told me the car ahead of me had paid for my breakfast. Maybe he felt guilty about pulling in front of me and saw me just smile and forget it. While I appreciate that, I have also had others pay for something at a drive-thru without having a reason. That’s kindness! When this happens, I try to do the same in the next few days. If you start something like this, it will take off and others will get the idea.
There are so many simple ways we can make the world around us a better place; smile, hold a door open, mow your elderly neighbor’s yard, get groceries for someone who cannot get out, drive with more caution and consideration for other drivers, and treat others with respect without jumping to conclusions because of their appearance. They are many more and if you want to share your ways to spread kindness, please let us know at burnsmybiscuit@gmail.com. All input is welcome. Well, we’re off on another trip to Roan Mountain. Hopefully, we will see the rhododendrons in full bloom today on top of the mountain. We will wear our masks on the trail, but you will know we are smiling!
You are in my prayers,
E.J.
