La Voz de Galicia – July 5, 2026 →
The art of coming through is a skill in itself. Some people have a gift for it, and some don’t. Some cultivate it over the years; others couldn’t care less. And I’m not talking about trying to impress people or being a people-pleaser. I’m talking about keeping your word—about being there when you say you’ll be there, when you’re supposed to be there. I’m talking about having class. The kind of class you’re either raised with—because it’s part of your family’s values—or that you acquire over time, by making a conscious effort every day. I’m talking about kindness, punctuality, respect, knowing how to listen, withholding judgment, and making thoughtful gestures for others—whether they’re close to us or not. Perhaps it takes a little effort. It certainly asks us to step outside ourselves and put ourselves in someone else’s shoes: the person we know is going through a difficult time and whom we should probably call; the one who’s very much alone and might simply appreciate a bit of company….
Yes, that art takes effort. And sometimes, if we take it seriously, it can wear us down a little—like all arts do. But if we human beings are still here, it is precisely because of all those people who quietly keep the world moving through their generosity. Today, more than ever, society struggles to appreciate—and to practice—that art.
Our relationships are becoming increasingly transactional, while social media and the attention economy that governs so much of our lives push us toward narcissism and self-absorption. One need only glance at national and international politics to realize that this idea of having class, of coming through—the kind that makes us better human beings—no longer seems to matter to anyone… And that is precisely why I believe hope lies in our ability to rebel against all of it, however much effort it may take, because we cannot allow ourselves to succumb to indolence.
