Growing up in the 90s, I remember seeing fishes attached to the back of cars and plastic bracelets of all sizes and colors adorned on wrists with the acronym “WWJD.” Not being particularly religious, I didn’t quite understand why someone would wear a bracelet or emblazon their car with “What would Jesus do?”
But being a little older and wiser, I think I get it.
I was in the midst of making my bi-monthly humungo batch of chicken tikka masala when I heard from a friend that she was having some major water issues at home. I packed up a few takeout containers of rice and food for her and her family and dropped it off.
When she thanked me, I told her how I often think about what anyone in our group of friends would do for another in a tough situation. I am so lucky to have a circle of people in my community that I could count on in times of distress but even more so, I am so lucky to have a circle of people that inspire me to be a better person and who I can conjure up and ask – what would they do in this situation?
Wearing the WWJD bracelets were a reminder for folks to live a life and carry themselves in line with their values. While I don’t have the same source of inspiration as them, I feel I’m doing something very similar.