Editor’s Corner: Just do what is right

It’s not the material things which matter in this life, but the people you love. I received a sharp reminder this week of just how true this statement really is...

W. Clement Stone once said, “Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.”

Alexis Arguello said, “I do think the heart can balance out the mind. If your heart is in a good place, it can give you the strength to do the right thing and behave the right way and overcome the mind.”

Along those same lines, my father, Hubert Brand, always said, “Just do what is right girl and don’t worry about it!”

In fact, my goal in life has always been to do just what my father, a poor farmer with a third grade education, taught me:

­– To be true to my heart.

­– To lead by example.

­– To fear nothing except God’s commandments.

­– To stand up for what’s right.

­– To defend those who can not defend themselves.

My father was a man who made many mistakes, but he never denied a single one. And he certainly never blamed anyone else for his actions. He also never once turned his back on anyone in need. Many, many times I watched my dad give the food off our table to those who needed it worse than we did. My mom would get so mad because she had 10 children to feed. Yet, somehow we never went to bed hungry. There was always canned soup and peaches in the storm cellar as a back-up.

So, when life gets tough, make those sacrifices for others in need, especially those you love. And, never, ever back down from doing what is right... especially this weekend.

As we celebrate Memorial Day, remember the men and women who lost their lives fighting for what they believed to be right! A man or a woman of principle is the salt of the earth! They will one day hear our Heavenly Father say, “Well done!”

Sandra Brand is the editor of the NEA Town Courier and The Osceola Times. She may be reached by phone at 870-763-4461 or 870-563-2615 or by email at brand@osceolatimes.com.