The people of the year 1000 faced division, uncertainty, and fear for the future. They didn’t know it then, but they stood at the edge of change, transitioning from the Dark Ages to the Middle Ages. Nine centuries later, in 1914, I wonder how people felt as the world erupted into the chaos of the First World War — or just two decades after that when World War II shattered any fragile sense of peace. History shows us that humanity has always played tug-of-war with stern conflict, whether with neighbors down the street or across oceans. It’s a harsh reality of being human. Yet, the way people treated one another 100 years ago didn’t just stay in the past — it shaped who we are today. And the way we treat our neighbors today will ripple forward, changing lives for centuries to come.
That’s why it matters so much to treat others the way we want to be treated. The golden rule is a guide for living and a good one at that! That rule is golden for a reason. When we choose kindness, when we choose to see the humanity in others, we make the world warmer and brighter with every interaction. Even the smallest actions — a kind word, a helping hand, or a passing smile — can spark a chain reaction of joy and compassion. These moments might seem fleeting, but their impact lasts far beyond what we can see. Loving our neighbors isn’t always easy, but it is always the right thing to do. Love is in all of us — it’s there, waiting to be discovered, shared, and passed along.
Good News Magazine is celebrating the people who are already living this way, those who make their communities better by choosing love and kindness. Their stories remind us of what’s possible when we love our neighbors. GN
