An eight year old gave me great hope for the future today. In a time where children are teasing, tormenting and bullying their peers via email, text and other social media, one young man is taking the high road and making a difference.
This young fellow was recently mistreated by someone close to him and instead of retaliating, getting upset, feeling victimized or getting even, he made a strategic retreat and recorded this little memo for his older friend:
Isn’t that magnificent? Would that others twice and thrice his age take the same approach with their peers the world would undoubtedly be a better place. His uncommon faith in the goodness of others, even after having been personally wronged, is absolutely inspiring.
When was the last time you forgave another to the depths that this sincere young man was able to in just a few verses? Rather than being diminished by his actions, he was fortified. Moreover, his friend was given the chance to make a choice: either rise up and meet his call or be repelled from the unrelieved tension. Instead of demanding a change, he did what he could to peaceably and lovingly draw it forth.
Take the high road in your living today. Follow the example of this sweet young man so that you too can make a difference in the lives of those around you.
Gregory Hake 
I thought you might like to see what children, parents and teachers are facing these days. This article appeared in today’s NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/28/style/28bully.html?hp
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Informative – thanks for posting this link. What has happened to living (or posting, tweeting, texting) by the ‘golden rule’?
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I think this is a solution that most people
don’t even consider. They think that it is ineffectual because they see “peaceful people” get trodden on day after day. What they don’t realize is that truely being peaceful means having enough self confidence to allow others to make their choice without making it for them. This is where the leverage is that helps the most people. They sort themselves, and you can expend effort where it is really useful.
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Resisting the temptation to say or do something nasty back can be a lot easier said than done, so kudos to this fine young man!
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Phenomenal! Everyone is responsible for how they choose to treat others.
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Glad he decided to “kill them with kindness” and take the high road. Makes for a newsworthy story these days!
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Smart little guy! It’s the best attitude to take towards those who hide behind bullying tactics, whether they are children or adults.
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What a precious gift from a precious young man.
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Fantastic story! We always have a choice. How wonderful that this young man is exercising his choice to take the high road.
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Still crying. This was wonderful. My 7 year old was mesmerized. Thank you.
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How sweet! It’s unusual even at his young age to not have the ‘low road’ beaten into you by TV examples (yes even preschool programs) and others around you, but I strongly believe his attitude is the natural state of heart we are meant to always express. Thanks for sharing it!
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What a precious message to all of us. Thanks for sharing his message of understanding, forgiveness and love.
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Isn’t it amazing what we can learn from children!
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This quote by John Buchan seems appropriate to this young man who revealed the best qualities of humanity in a tough situation: “Without humility there can be no humanity.”
Humility is the brother to forgiveness. Taking the high road isn’t just something you do in your head, it’s what you do in your heart. And, as the story of this 8 year old reveals, age or knowledge isn’t an excuse. To be humane in the noblest sense requires compassion, refinement, mercy and kindness – qualities which are available to each person.
We should also change the song to… “you take the high road, and I’ll take the high road..”
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To call forth the inherent greatness in others, is our Greatest Responsibility, and one that I aspire to fulfill. Thanks for this simple example illustrating that forgiveness is the easier road, although less traveled.
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