By Jerria Martin
Martin is the Director of Hope Ministries and interim director of Main Street Selma. 

As we head into the Holiday Season, we always hear, “It is better to give than it is to receive.”

Paul Bloom, professor of psychology and cognitive science at Yale University, believes, “We are constituted so that simple acts of kindness, such as giving to charity or expressing gratitude, have a positive effect on our long-term moods. The key to the happy life, it seems, is the good life: a life with sustained relationships, challenging work, and connections to community. “

Our acts of kindness play a major role in how successful we are in our relationships, at work, and in our community. I was able to mediate a friendly exchange that took place at Butler Truax’s sale last week. An elderly lady purchased a large box of items and upon checking out, one of the nice workers volunteered to carry the box out to her car, however, the worker seemed to be the same age as the elderly woman, so they both reasoned, “I will,” “no, I insist,” “mmm, no, I can do it.” Until finally I said, hey, I’m the youngest, I will do it. They smiled, I made two new friends, I did a good deed.

We never know how one simple act of kindness can make someone’s day or lift their spirits.

At the post office last week I ran into a local realtor, who had several large bags of baby clothes. I inquired if they were for her grandchildren. She smiled and responded, no, there’s this young lady, who has fallen on hard times. She has a young child, and saw these outfits and immediately thought of her. So I’m sending them, hoping it will assist her.

We have more kind and warm hearted folk in Selma than those who feel emotionally defeated. We have more thoughtful and caring people in Selma than those who have become completely apathetic. We see this in the little things, like a friendly “hi” in Walmart or a smile from a stranger.

Reflecting over my own experiences locally, I realized that I walk through at least 20 different manual doors a day, yet I hardly ever have to open one. Big or small, these are good deeds and we need them now in our city more than ever. Our acts of love and our deeds of faith draw us closer together as a community.

Keep smiling, keep thinking of others, keep donating, keep praying, keep on keeping on, it will all pay off in small yet tremendous ways, because there is life-changing, inspirational, and motivational hope in good deeds.