The Dalai Lama once said, "One of the secrets of inner peace is the practice of compassion."
You have likely been taught about the importance of being compassionate since childhood. Most of us have. But for some, compassion isn't something they feel they owe others. Why give out something you never got? Why step in to help instead of letting them "just deal with it" on their own?
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No one explains the "why" better than David Flood. David is a father and motivational speaker from Top Youth Speakers, an organization filled with people dedicated to inspiring and educating today's youth on topics ranging from bullying and mental health to leadership and development.
One of the powerful arguments Flood gives is simply that being compassionate is a life-changing attitude. Not only for you, but also for the person receiving it. It's one of those rare situations where everybody wins. It doesn't have to be a huge show of kindness. Even the smallest act can change someone's world. It could be a smile, a simple compliment, or reaching out to someone who's lonely.
David shares the one moment that made him change his perspective
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After a rough childhood of his own, David Flood was invited to speak at the school of his eldest son, Justin, who is 17 years old and has autism.
He begins his speech with the story of when Justin was in middle school. Every day, David would ask him who he ate lunch. And every day, without fail, his son would reply, "I ate alone."
Not only was his son's response heartbreaking, but it also brought back old feelings from when David was 13 and asked his father who he was going to eat Thanksgiving dinner with, since he had been thrown out of the house due to his alcoholism. His father replied, "I'll probably just go and eat at the diner, alone."
In both cases, David asked himself: Why does anybody have to eat alone?
Reach out and make a difference
The point of David's story isn't to make you or anyone feel sorry for his son or his father. The real message is to nudge that familiar feeling of loneliness you may have also experienced at some point in your life. To push you to remember how it felt and recognize when someone near you is lonely and needs to be reached out to.
Don't you wish someone had come over and made you feel included at that party or during those lonely lunches at work? Now you have the chance to be that person to others. Invite that estranged person to go out somewhere, go talk to the awkward guest who arrived alone. Be that special person you wish you had when you needed them.
David ends his speech by saying, "Watch how your life changes when you care more about others than you care about yourself."
So make time today to make the world a little brighter for someone. Be kind, be caring, be a better example for everyone around you. You'll be surprised at how much better your own life becomes.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.