Author's Words: Peace and the ability to stand and live in a place of optimism is not easy. It can be hard, and it can be adaily fight! We forge this battle so unconsciously that it becomes second nature to us, and most timeswe don't even realize that we are fighting. We arbitrarily wave it off as "doing what we have to do" orassessing and then responding to (or not responding to), situations, events, or interactions that occur.I believe helping to build up others can be very instrumental in finding our own pathway andstrength in life. Many times, I don't even think it is that hard. Sometimes all that is needed is a smilethat reaches your eyes or a nod of acknowledgement. You don't even have to open your mouth!One Saturday morning I was late for a doctor's appointment. As I got outside, I realized that mystreet was closed off because of some necessary work being done. I would have to back out andnavigate the cones that were set-up so no cars could enter the block. Now, . . . . I can drive well butbacking out an SUV out of a narrow street is admittedly a challenge for me. Couple that with the fact thatI was already anxious! I was lucky that there were a couple city workers doing their scheduled route, who adjusted the cones for me so I could come out . . . . . but then I was on my own. The street wasnow starting to come alive with more people.I continued to backup, and do not know how one of the cones ended up under my passenger reartire, but it did. Of course, people are now on the sidewalk gathering because they are too afraid to crossthe street and I am in panic mode. Then suddenly, this man who was walking his dog, comes up to thecar and asked me if I was alright. I said, "Sir I can't back-up this car." He said to put the car in park andlet him look at the cone under the tire. He came back and said it was stuck, and he was going to try topull the cone out as I gently moved the car forward. I said okay. He started to move away, and then heturned back and looked me straight in my eye and said, "Miss please don't kill me and my dog - Makesure to put the car in 'drive' and not 'reverse.'" The dog had never left his side. I said sir, I got this!When he was done, he smiled at me and then he and his dog were gone. I can tell you that I have liftedthat man up in prayer countless times since that incident and he will more than likely forever be astranger to me. He showed me kindness and gave his time and effort just because he saw my need!Let it be, that at