'Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing'

As I scrolled through some videos on social media, the other day, I came across a gem of a concept. The video was an excerpt from the popular web-based series “Ted Lasso.” The series centered on an American man who began coaching a professional soccer team in Europe. The series has gained a great deal of popularity due to its genuine characters and a lovable star who routinely comes up with cheesy, yet truly effective catch phrases. During this particular episode, the coach revealed, “Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing.”

As I watched the episode play out, I couldn’t get my mind off my daughter. I remember a couple of years ago she was rather disappointed in the way one of her friends had been treating her. She shared with me that her friend had been not only distancing herself but also becoming more and more confrontational towards her when with new friends. As we spoke, I could see my child holding back her desire to get even with the girl, as she considered what her response should be.

Before long, the child lost her ability to reason and began telling me what her plans were. Like words picked from the pages of a best-selling novel, the child began describing the retribution the friend would face. I would have to admit, as I listened to the child, I was becoming more and more perplexed with each passing word. How could such a dastardly deed stem from the mind of my little angel, I thought. Being unable to process the child’s anger, in a manner which made sense to me, I simply listened.

With each deed described, plan developed, and pay back thoroughly considered, my child began to smile. Just as quickly as the smile happened it shifted to a frown. As I sat, doing my best to empathize with my girl, I asked her what she was thinking. The child sat silent for a moment, then said, “I just need to let it go.”

She added that she felt the best thing to do was to ignore the friend and do her best to be the bigger person. I commended her on her decision and before long the two of us were enjoying the day we had been blessed with.

Several weeks later I found out that the girl had reached out to my kid several weeks after our initial conversation. The curiosity got the best of me. I approached my daughter, inquiring as to how the conversation went. Without hesitation, my child told me that the girl was having a very difficult time and had no one to confide in, so my daughter felt the right thing to do was to listen. She shared with me some of the details of the conversation, ultimately saying the right thing to do was for her to be there for the girl regardless.

I was proud of my kid. As she worked through an abundance of pain caused by this friend, she chose to do the right thing and be a welcoming ear when the girl needed it the most. Many times, we face similar situations in our lives. Doing the right thing is difficult sometimes but we must remind ourselves that doing the right thing is never the wrong thing to do. Regardless of if it’s forgiving someone who has wronged us, lifting up someone who pushed us down, or simply praying that those who despise us experience peace and blessings, the choice lays within each of us. Choose to show compassion my friends, it’s not weakness, nor hurtful, its simply the right thing to do.