My two cents

Being the editor of the Champion’s opinion page this semester has been quite the privilege. Each week, I am allowed to share some of my wide-ranging thoughts and opinions — which hopefully readers do not find too radical — to the entire student body.

Woolfolk

Writing opinion pieces comes with a great amount of responsibility. Analyzing the world around us is the editorialist’s job, and without an ample amount of respect and research, our columns can quickly fade into the category of a rant instead of a thought-provoking piece of journalism.

But perhaps the biggest pitfall that can plague the opinion section is to construe our job description as a whole. We often feel as though it is our job to simply analyze. Perhaps it is just me, but when I think of the word “analyze,” a negative connotation seems to surround the word, as if analyzing only involves listing off all the qualities that are wrong with the topic at hand.

Webster’s Dictionary defines analyzing as “the studying or determining of the nature of parts for the purpose of explanation and interpretation.” Too often, we spend our time pointing out what we think is wrong. There is nothing inherently incorrect about that, but our responsibility as well-rounded journalists is to highlight and analyze the positive sides of the world around us.

To fulfill my roll as a responsible reporter, allow me to relay an event that happened to me this past week. My girlfriend and I went out to dinner at the Depot Grille, and as with every meal, we said a short but concise prayer beforehand. As we finished up our meal, a middle-aged couple who sat nearby got up to leave, and on the way out, the gentleman commended us for our commitment to praying in public.

I tell you this not to draw attention to my actions, but to draw attention to his.

Little did we know that the gentleman had also paid for our meal and bought us dessert, which the waitress did not tell us until the couple had been gone for some time.

The man’s good deed caused me to consider — excuse me, analyze — just how often I take the time to lift up those around me. Too often, we get stuck critiquing instead of commending, breaking down instead of building up. It is astounding how great something as simple as a good deed can make you feel.

There is a saying that says “The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement.”

The Word also commands us to edify one another. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, we read, “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing.” In 1 Peter 4:8-10, Peter writes, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling..”
Think about how much you spend uplifting those around you, even those who you have never met before. A kind act can go a long way.

So to the couple who paid for my meal, I thank you again. Most likely, I will never know who you are, but you have made quite the impact on my life. No matter how much you paid for that meal in my place, your gift of providing a Christian example was worth much more.

You did not just pay for my meal, you gave me something to think about, something to smile about, and something to learn from. You taught me a lesson.

After some analyzing, I would say that is pretty encouraging.