Spell Love G-I-V-E

As a child, any time I went to play at a friend's house, my mom used to say,

“Georgie, make sure you leave everything better than you found it.”

What she meant by that was “you have poor vision and lack attention to detail, so really really look hard to try to clean up whatever mess you make, and once you’ve done that, clean a bit more just to make sure.”

Sometimes I did and sometimes I didn’t.

Georgiana Sook - Class of 2019

But I’ve been thinking about that sentiment recently and have decided it works for people as well. I’ve been asking myself how I leave people. Did I have messy hands when I handled his heart? When I screwed up and dropped the ball, did I apologize to her and do my best to fix it? Was I quick to share a smile or an encouraging word, or did I keep to myself?

People are just people and these days everyone is tired. Tired of the natural disasters, tired of being embarrassed of the president, tired of politics invading every inch of recreational space. And everyone deals with things the way they know how, be it complaining, ignoring, protesting, arguing, or denying. We get so busy hating people we don’t even know that we forget to love those we do. I’ve decided it’s a better endeavor to love those around me than to stand on my soapbox and be one more screaming voice.

So today, I will concentrate my energy on trying to leave people better than I found them.

Maybe it means making sure I make eye contact when I thank the bus driver.

Maybe it means giving my only copy of my favorite book to a friend--the one that has all of my underlines, highlights, and margin notes.

Maybe it means still smiling at the kid with the headphones, the one I pass walking to class every single day who never smiles back.

Maybe it will mean paying for someone’s coffee or leaving a quick note of encouragement.

Maybe it will just mean shutting up and listening to someone because they need to be heard.

Maybe it’s pointing out a positive quality of the person being gossiped about.

Maybe it’s a hug, a granola bar, or an extra dollar in the tip jar.

Maybe it’s waking up early to unload the dishwasher when it’s not my week to unload the dishwasher.

There are people in my life for whom giving is a habit absolutely fundamental to who they are. They spell love G-I-V-E. I’m trying to become more like that.

Georgiana Sook, of Owensboro, Ky., is a sophomore McConnell Scholar studying English, philosophy, political science, and psychology.