Linda Hall: Let's make proud Kiwis of us all

St John Ambulance frontline paramedics Jared Ranudo (left) and Harrison Smythe, after their lucky escape.

I bet the families and friends of all the members of the New Zealand Olympic team are incredibly proud of them.

Mind you, the parents of these athletes need a whole lot of praise as well.

If it weren't for them taking their child to practise their chosen sport for years on end, they wouldn't be where they are today.

I think it takes a certain type of person to be so committed, training and pushing their bodies to the limit, so good on them and good luck to them all.

We'll be rooting for you.

Of course, you don't need to be a top athlete to make people proud of you.

Take the two Auckland St John paramedics, Jared Ranudo and Harrison Smythe, for instance.

If I was their mother I would be very proud of them.

The pair were in an ambulance nearing the end of their shift when a car smashed into the back of the ambulance, flipping it.

They managed to exit it, both shocked and shaken, but instead of looking to their own needs they immediately attended the seriously injured driver of the car that hit them.

Good on them.

I recently watched a video clip on Facebook put up by NZ Police Recruitment.

In it, a woman dressed in a nightie and socks and holding a toy rabbit is walking in circles on a busy city street, petting her rabbit, obviously in distress.

I couldn't believe how many people walked straight past her. It's really sad to watch.

Finally a woman approaches her and asks if she is "all right, love?"

I'd be proud of that woman if she was a member of my family. Kindness is something to be very proud of.

Lots of people commented on the video, the majority saying that yes, they would have stopped.

One person wrote: "Typical ... people just have no basic emotions these days."

Another wrote: "I'm sometimes amazed at how uncaring Kiwis are.

"Have personally been through a similar experience where not one person chose to stop and ask if I was OK, so sad."

It is sad. I've always thought Kiwis were caring people.

Have we become so wrapped up in our own little worlds that we don't care or have time for our neighbours these days?

Caring about others is vital for our society. It's the kind people who keep us all going.

To prove this to yourself, just remember the last time someone did something kind for you.

It doesn't have to be a big deal. It could be as simple as someone opening a door for you but I bet it made you smile.

Think about how it feels when you talk with a friend and you know they are truly listening to you and not just nodding their head while planning what's for dinner or, worse still, reaching for their cellphone.

Then think about how you feel when someone says or does something bad, or ignores you.

Imagine feeling like that all the time.

It's no wonder so many people are depressed in our society, There are so many terrible things happening in the world at the moment. Innocent people are getting killed every day, it seems.

We really need to be kind to each other. It doesn't cost any money. It doesn't hurt you. In fact, it will make you feel good.

Making other people smile will make you smile as well.

It won't solve the world's problems but it might just make it a nicer place to be.

- Linda Hall is assistant editor of Hawke's Bay Today.