Based on Real Events , , ,

I thought I'd share with you all the essay I wrote for the scholarship competition. (If I hadn't been awarded a scholarship, this essay would have definitely remained in its permanent file.)

My given theme was "what I think is needed most in society today."

My Essay -- based on real events and genuine opinion,

and under the 500 word count limit!

I recently traveled stateside and experienced some common contemporary setbacks – flight delays and extreme weather conditions. I witnessed firsthand as fellow travelers expressed discouragement and disappointment, even outright cursing, as yet another flight cancellation was announced. Since our flight would not arrive back to Frankfurt until Christmas Day, this particular cancellation meant many would miss their traditional Christmas Eve festivities shared with loved ones. My own experience was not so discouraging – a long layover in Atlanta gave me opportunity to visit dear friends, and yet still be home in time to celebrate Christmas Day with family. But my airport observations did give me cause to contemplate and surmise that perhaps one of the biggest problems we face in society is not so much the setbacks themselves, but our willingness to break out of ourselves and help others even at the expense of convenience and personal needs. In short, society greatly benefits from simple, quiet acts of service to others in times of trial, especially if self sacrifice comes into play.

I am reminded of an article I recently read in the New Era (December 2010) which relates a situation similar to my recent travel experience. Again, it was Christmastime, and hundreds of travelers were stranded in the Atlanta airport due to severe weather conditions. People were anxious to arrive to their destinations and celebrate the season amongst loved ones. None, however, was more distraught than a young soldier whose deployment to Vietnam was imminent. Thus, he hoped to fly to New Orleans and spend Christmas (quite possibly his last) with his family. He had a low priority ticket which meant unlikely passage on the next available flight and time was running out. The desk agent was sympathetic but powerless to help him. Hundreds of other weary passengers were permitted to board the next plane, but not the young soldier. It was at this point that an unnamed businessman quietly stepped forward and offered the young soldier his already confirmed ticket. He seemed to purposefully wait until all the other passengers had boarded before he made his offer to the young man – he did not seek attention, reward, or applause, but simply desired to quietly help a stranger in need.

Throughout time, difficult situations will tend to recur – whether due to extreme weather, flight cancellations or a myriad of other unforeseen problems. The names, times and places may change, and the quiet acts of service that people render to one another will most likely remain anonymous, but there is great power in that anonymity. For once the nameless, selfless act is discovered and disseminated, it provides the inspiration others need to make a meaningful contribution to society – to press forward, step out of themselves, and help others along life's sometimes difficult and discouraging journey.