Scott Burlingame, Minot

My family and I had the opportunity to spend part of our Christmas volunteering, along with over 100 others, at the Community Christmas Meal. As I looked at the folks in the room, I saw a combination of those who were unable to travel for the holiday, those who had nobody else to spend the holiday with, and those who would perhaps struggle to pay for such a fine meal.

This meal was a fantastic event for Minot, and those who gave of time and treasure to make it happen should be commended for their dedication. The meal was a great example of how we can show compassion without preconditions or expectations and how in doing that, we can create a better community.

However, as I reflect back on the day, I wonder how we can do better throughout the rest of the year. Every day we have people who are away from loved ones, those who are lonely, and those who need a meal.

It can be easy to cast judgment on others. Perhaps people are alone because they are not “from here” and they will soon be leaving. Perhaps they have made poor life decisions, pushing away loved ones or costing them employment opportunities. Unfortunately, when we greet those who are hurting with anything but empathy, our actions cause harm.

As we head into a new year, maybe we can all do our best to be a little more welcoming and a little less judgmental, because as I see it, the cost for making a community better, for making Minot better, is measured in the smallest acts of inclusion and kindness.