It takes a village...

People say it takes a village. And I believe that. Life gets hard sometimes. People fall on tough moments, and sometimes all they need is a little help from someone willing to step in and say, “I got you.” I’ve had the chance to do that a couple times in my life, and I’ll be honest — helping someone like that is one of the best feelings in the world.

The first time was when a friend of ours posted on Facebook that she needed help buying prom dresses for her two daughters. Prom is a big deal when you’re a teenager. The dress, the excitement, the memories — it’s one of those moments girls remember for the rest of their lives. At the time, I happened to have a little extra money. So I sent her $100.

It felt good knowing those girls might get to pick out dresses and have the kind of prom experience every teenage girl hopes for. Strangely though… after that, I hardly ever heard from her again.

Life moves on, I suppose.

The second time was a little bigger.

A girl I had gone to high school with posted that she needed help paying lawyer fees so she could fight for custody of her kids. Now that’s the kind of thing that hits you right in the heart. When it comes to someone trying to fight for their children, it’s hard not to want to help. So I did. I sent her $1,000. And honestly, at the time, it felt amazing knowing maybe I helped a mom stand up and fight for her babies. But after she cashed the check… I never heard from her again. Not an update. Not a message. Nothing. Eventually I realized she had even blocked me on Facebook.

Now look — I didn’t help those people because I expected anything back. I didn’t do it for praise or recognition. I helped because sometimes people just need a little help.

Sometimes it takes a village. And even though those situations turned out a little strange afterward, the truth is… I’d still do it again. Because kindness isn’t about what you get back.

It’s about who you choose to be when someone else needs help. And if someone ever finds themselves in a position where they need their village, I hope they find people willing to show up. Because the world could always use a little more kindness.

Just... Dude… Don’t Be Rude.