Decency: A Lesson from the Sands of Time

Dear friends, today I want to share a story from my past, a simple tale that carries a profound lesson about decency. It’s a story about making a sandcastle, but it’s also about much more than that.

The Day at the Beach

It was a bright, sunny day. I was about 10 years old, and my family had taken a trip to the beach. The sand was warm beneath my feet, and the waves were gently lapping at the shore. I was excited to start building my sandcastle.

The Sandcastle

With my little plastic shovel and bucket, I began to shape the sand into towers and walls. I was so engrossed in my work that I didn’t notice the other boy until he was standing right next to me. He was about my age, but much bigger. He looked at my sandcastle and then, without a word, kicked it over.

The Lesson

I was devastated. But my father, who had been watching from a distance, came over and knelt down next to me. He didn’t scold the other boy or try to rebuild my sandcastle. Instead, he told me something I’ve never forgotten.

“Son,” he said, “it’s easy to destroy something. But it takes patience, effort, and decency to create. Remember this moment. Not because your sandcastle was destroyed, but because it’s a reminder of the kind of person you want to be.”

Decency in Our Lives

Decency, my friends, is about respect for others and their efforts. It’s about understanding that everyone’s work, whether it’s a sandcastle or a blog post, is valuable. It’s about choosing to build, not destroy.

So, let’s strive to be decent in all our interactions. Let’s respect each other’s sandcastles, and let’s help each other build them higher.

Until next time, remember: the world is full of sand. It’s up to us whether we use it to build or destroy.

Yours in wisdom,

Kev