Stay Humble and Kind
Tim McGraw and St. Thomas Aquinas
Tim McGraw released the song Humble and Kind which won both country music’s song and video of the year in 2016. Lori McKenna wrote the song and shared in an interview with Country Music Television that the lyrics are about all the things she wanted her children to hear.
Thus, the song shares advice from an older person to a younger person. The song's main line is “always stay humble and kind.”
The song's opening states: “you know there’s a light that glows by the front door, don’t forget the key is under the mat.” Another line: “go to Church ‘cause your mamma says to.” At the song's end, we hear this advice: “when you get where you’re going, don’t forget to turn back around and help the next one in line. Always stay humble and kind.”
Older people desire for younger people to flourish and to find happiness. This song reminds people of what is most important in life. Of course, these values and insights are passed down from the generations that have come before us.
St. Thomas Aquinas understood the importance of older persons in society and how they are a great gift to the younger generations. In writing on the virtue of prudence (choosing the right means to achieve the proper ends), Aquinas shared that life provides an infinite variety of choices. He stated that it is not possible for young people to discern and consider all the options on their own sufficiently. Therefore, every person, especially the youth, needs to be taught by others to help them make decisions.
Aquinas advises that the youth need older persons “who have acquired a good understanding of the ends in practical matters.” For Aquinas, older persons have wisdom to offer or acquired prudence that can help the youth who find themselves in decision-making moments.
The song "Humble and Kind" reflects Aquinas’ teaching that the youth need to hear helpful truths from older people.
May each older person who reads this article be filled with the courage to share helpful truths with the younger generations.
Here is a link to the song Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw.
Fr. Luke Daghir
“when you get where you’re going, don’t forget to turn back around and help the next one in line. Always stay humble and kind.” — I love that line!