GMC News

Definition of the word of the week (GOODNESS): Of moral excellence; upright

You may have seen her on the news. Marsha Jordan is the founder of Hugs and Hope, a Wisconsin-based organization catering to the needs of sick children. She works year round to encourage child cancer victims and their families. She started the foundation for sick children in the year 2000 after being forced to quit work because of health problems. In 1998, due to complications from an auto-immune disease, she lost her eyesight. Although she later regained some limited vision, she was no longer able to work. Faced with depression and sensing a lack of purpose in her life, Jordan filled her days helping sick children. She sends sick children toys, cards, books and stickers.

At her website, she tells us that children fighting for their lives have very little to smile about. We can help change that by sending them “Happy Mail.” Cheery cards give these kids a few more smiles, a little more hope, and a reason to get out of bed each day. You can send a smile of your own by visiting her website at www.hugsandhope.com. It would take only two minutes and really make some kid’s day.

Here in Baldwin County, one does not have to look far or wide to find people demonstrating acts of goodness every day. Although we have our share of sick kids, everyone benefits from small acts of goodness. The reward for our goodness is in the act itself. One should not be motivated by external accolades but realize that service is its own reward.

In Psalm 23, we wish for goodness and mercy to follow us all the days of our lives. But, we can choose to be part of that goodness in other people’s lives. I am reminded of the old Army admonition that challenges us to “Do Good. Avoid Evil.” Everything else will take care of itself. Perhaps author Denis Waitley said it best when he wrote, “That which you create in beauty and goodness and truth lives on for all time to come.” What have we done that will live on for all time?

The following quotations are intended to assist in explaining and exemplifying the word of the week:

There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness and truth. Count Leo Tolstoy, Philosopher

Greatness and goodness are not means, but ends. Samuel Coleridge, Poet

The main source of our wealth is goodness. The affections and the generous qualities that God admires in a world full of greed. Alfred Montapert, Author

To talk goodness is not good… only to do it is. Chinese Proverb

The cheerful live longest in years, and afterwards in our regards. Cheerfulness is the off-shoot of goodness. Christian Bovee, Author

Goodness is uneventful. It does not flash, it glows. David Grayson, Author

In goodness there are all kinds of wisdom. Euripedes

How goodness heightens beauty! Hannah Moore, Author

Goodness is the only investment that never fails. Henry David Thoreau, Poet

It is only from the belief of the goodness and wisdom of a supreme being , that our calamities can be borne in a manner that becomes a man. Henry Mackenzie

Our goodness comes solely from thinking on goodness; our wickedness from thinking on wickedness. We too are the victims of our own contemplation. John Chapman, Author

Gratitude is not only the memory but the homage of the heart rendered to God for his goodness. Nathaniel Willis, Poet

No man or woman can be strong, gentle, pure and good, without the world being better for it and without someone being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness. Phillip Brooks, Poet

Beauty endures only for as long as it can be seen; goodness, beautiful today, will remain so tomorrow. Sappha, Poet

Nothing that was worthy in the past departs; no truth or goodness realized by man ever dies, or can die. Thomas Carlyle, Philosopher

LTC Patrick Beer, the Dean of Students and Commandant of Cadets at Georgia Military College, prepares this study guide each week as part of the institution’s character education program. He welcomes comments and suggestions from readers. He can be contacted by phone, 478-445-2710 or by email, pbeer@gmc.cc.ga.us