Spotlight THE ETHICAL LIFE How an unexpected gift reminded me of what matters most — Richard Kyte Richard Kyte Columnist Dec 20, 2024 Dec 20, 2024 Updated May 5, 2026 0 Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Is there anything more gratifying than an unexpected gift from a stranger? The answer is “yes,” but we’ll get to that.kAmp 76H 52JD 28@[ 2 7C:6?5 H2D D9@AA:?8 2E 2 =@42= 5@==2C DE@C6[ 3FJ:?8 D>2== :E6>D E@ A=246 :? 8:7E 3@I6D 7@C 49:=5C6?] w6C 49FC49 925 8:G6? 96C 2 563:E 42C5 H:E9 2 S`d_ 2==@H2?46[ 2?5 D96 H6?E E9C@F89 E96 2:D=6D A=24:?8 5@K6?D @7 E@JD 2?5 D49@@= DFAA=:6D :? 96C 42CE[ <66A:?8 2 CF??:?8 2>@F?E :? 96C 9625] (96? D96 8@E E@ E96 4964<@FE[ D96 E@=5 E96 4=6C< E@ DE@A H96? 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E96 >@G:6 4@>6D D9@CE=J 27E6C v6@C86 q2:=6J AF==D r=2C6?46 @FE @7 2? :4J C:G6C] pD E96J 2C6 5CJ:?8 @77[ r=2C6?46 6IA=2:?D E92E 96 :D 2? 2?86= D6?E E@ D2G6 9:>] v6@C86 :D F?56CDE2?523=J D<6AE:42=] “$2G6 >6Pn” 96 C6DA@?5D] r=2C6?46 6IA=2:?D[ “x <?6H :7 x H6C6 5C@H?:?8[ J@F’5 ECJ E@ D2G6 >6[ 2?5 E92E’D 9@H x D2G65 J@F]”k^Am kAm%96 8:7E r=2C6?46 82G6 E@ v6@C86 H2D 2? @AA@CEF?:EJ E@ 36 FD67F= H96? 96 E9@F89E E96 H@C=5 H@F=5 36 36EE6C @77 H:E9@FE 9:>] {:<6 >2?J @7 FD[ v6@C86 @G6CG2=F65 E96 H@CE9 @7 9:D 4@?EC:3FE:@?D 2?5 F?56CG2=F65 E96 H@CE9 @7 9:D AC6D6?46]k^Am kAmtG6? E9@D6 H9@ 92G6 8C62E ?665D 42? 36 C2:D65 FA 3J 2? @AA@CEF?:EJ E@ 8:G6] xE :D E9C@F89 E96 >FEF2=:EJ @7 3@E9 8:G:?8 2?5 C646:G:?8 E92E H6 6IA6C:6?46 E96 8C246 E92E D9:?6D FA@? 6G6CJ 24E @7 D92C65 <:?5?6DD]k^Am Richard Kyte is director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis., and co-host of "The Ethical Life" podcast. Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His new book, “Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way),” is available from Fulcrum Books. He also cohosts “The Ethical Life” podcast. 0 Comments Locations Lacrosse Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Most Popular How does servant leadership make workplaces stronger? | The Ethical Life podcast 🎧 From grocery stores to manufacturing plants, the hosts examine trust, listening and relationship-building as keys to long-term organization… Bailing out coal locks in higher costs | Julie McNamara People and businesses nationwide are reckoning with rapidly rising electricity costs. 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