Lessons from Herbert

One statue. One lamb. Endless lessons.

Meet Herbert.

Herbert, all dressed up.

Herbert was created by a student in their pottery class. Since December, the SAS office has been his home. Though we were wary of him at first, as we initially thought his blood-covered spikes did not invoke a friendly image, we have quickly grown fond of Herbert. We have introduced him to others, made him the pride and joy of the SAS office, and adorned him in an array of accessories. As I type now, Herbert is wearing a nautical necktie, a custom-made paper hat with his name, and has candy hanging from his spikes for students.

Meet Herbert II.

Pictured here is Herbert II, dressed fashionably in his winter coat.

Herbert II was born in January. Not long after his birth, his mother rejected him. Luckily for Herbert II, he found a home on my cousins’ farm. Now, Herbert II gets to be cuddled by his new family, meet new sheep, and is dressed in fun sweaters. Herbert II went a couple weeks without a name, as several suggestions (including, but not limited to, Donkey Kong, Diego, and Dudley) didn’t quite fit him. After I shared Herbert’s name and story, my cousins decided that Herbert was the perfect name for this lonely, scraggly, little lamb. And with that, he became Herbert II, Herbert became Herbert I, and the Herbert dynasty was born.

All it took was one person each to change their lives through kindness.

Both Herberts have experienced, in some form, rejection. In the SAS office, we were first suspicious and afraid of Herbert I, whereas Herbert II was abandoned by his mother. Fortunately for them, both Herberts have also experienced love and acceptance. Herbert I has become an invaluable and integral member of the SAS office, and Herbert II has found his forever family consisting of four humans and roughly three dozen sheep. Their lives may have had rough beginnings, but they have now found belonging and happiness. All it took was one person to embrace Herbert I to inspire others to do the same, and one person to find the motherless Herbert II and bring him to my cousins’ farm. All it took was one person each to change their lives through kindness.

It turns out that the stories of Herbert I and Herbert II can teach us a lot about compassion and how easily we can change someone’s life with one kind action.

Remember that for Herbert I and Herbert II, it only took one person doing one kind thing to change their lives forever. You could be that person for someone else.

We have all been Herbert. We have all experienced rejection and loneliness. We have all, at some point, felt like we didn’t belong. If this is where you’re at right now, that’s okay. Like I said, everyone experiences these feelings, and everyone gets through it. You will too.

Whether we are Herberts or not Herberts, we need to be gentler to one another. We shouldn’t let others feel isolated because we are all living life together. Let’s help each other find our way in the world. This isn’t hard to do because, after all, kindness is free. So, smile at a stranger. Compliment your co-worker on the nice sweater they’re wearing. Do the dishes for your mom. Help those around you. Remember that for Herbert I and Herbert II, it only took one person doing one kind thing to change their lives forever. You could be that person for someone else.

If you are a Herbert, keep going. Don’t give up. Find your people because I promise that they’re out there.

If you are no longer a Herbert, search for the Herberts. Find them, and then make them your friends. You might be surprised by the joy they bring to your life, because I know Herbert I and Herbert II have brought joy to mine.