On Random Acts Of Kindness

A hub on Random Acts of Kindness got me thinking about the topic. It was great stuff encouraging hubbers to get busy with kind acts toward others and to write about their experiences.

At first I thought I would just leave a little “bravo” note, but was surprised to realize that I had more to say on the topic than should go in a comments section.

I believe that was the purpose of the hub, yes? Nothing to do then but get busy and write my own hub on random acts of kindness.

Picking up the gauntlet was the appropriate action. Motivated, I had to put the fingers to the keyboard.

My course was set, all I had to do was get in motion mode. Do I really have much to say on random acts of kindness?

Last year I began to encounter a "hard" woman working the check-out at a business I visited on a semi-regular basis. I determined to be friendly to her, thinking she must have a sad history and life, but she seemed so angry it was almost scary.

It took a long time, months actually. She started to recognize me, first smiling back, and finally she interacted with me in a friendly way the last time I was there. I’m not sure that counted as random in the end, but it was motivation for me to think more about random acts of kindness rather than just focusing on my own doings when I am out and about.

One of my favorites is to smile directly at little ones trapped in shopping carts while parents are "absently" on their cell, etc. Poor little things, waiting, tired, but worst of all, pitifully lonely. Seeing their eyes light up when this Grandmama winks or waves at them in passing is well worth the few seconds it takes to focus on them. They nearly always brighten up and sometimes respond shyly or playfully. So cute that I can’t help but smile even more.

On top of that, an added benefit (that really is the most important one, if it happens) is that the commotion often causes the parents to focus on their little ones. They see me smile and they smile at their child. A good thing indeed, and if I am kind to the little ones I can sometimes make that happen. It's a wonderful thing to be a part of that!

On the other end of the spectrum, I am forced to visit a sad nursing home each week. It’s all out of my control and I do not like seeing what I see there. However, as I am able I try to just speak to the folks trapped there.

Whatever the reason for them being there -- sometimes it’s their own lifestyle that put them there, sometimes it’s just because we live in a fallen world and health issues are out of our control, and sometimes it’s neglect by family members (very interesting to start seeing each situation for what it really is) -- but whatever the reason, why not brighten their day with a kind hello?

To see sagging heads and hearts lifted by such a simple kindness is tragic to me. How can I not begin to learn their names so I can speak more personally to them? Even though it is difficult to face them, why not do what little I can to make them smile since I have to go there? Seems like a small thing, but in the face of their suffering it is not as easy as one might think.

And isn't it the case that we usually “have” to be where ever we are? Sure, we get some down time, but otherwise we’re doing what we need to do, right? So why not do small things to brighten another person’s day . We live in a world full of hurting people. Most go to school or work and set their fears, their concerns, their painful memories or tragic circumstances aside in order to focus on tasks at hand. Why not take the time be kind to everyone?

As a Christian I am reminded of our instruction in Micah 6:8 -- “He has told you, O man, what is good; ... to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (ESV). For me as a believer (John 3:16, John 14:6, ActsOfTheWord.com), the admonishment of Micah 6:8 and consequent blessings go far beyond what will naturally come as a result of my being kind to strangers. I only wish I could say that I have always done so. I think I’ll try to make up for those times in this new year. Will 2011 be the year of random kindnesses for each of us?

Oh! I can’t end there! Let me see...as a kindness to you I found this video for your pleasure. I hope it makes you smile and I hope that you are encouraged to begin something important where ever you are at. Happy “random kindnessing” to you in this new year!

As a Christian I am reminded of our instruction in Micah 6:8 -- “He has told you, O man, what is good; ... to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (ESV). For me as a believer (John 3:16, John 14:6, ActsOfTheWord.com), the admonishment of Micah 6:8 and consequent blessings go far beyond what will naturally come as a result of my being kind to strangers. I only wish I could say that I have always done so. I think I’ll try to make up for those times in this new year. Could this be the year of random kindnesses for each of us?

Oh! I can’t end there! Let me see...as a kindness to you I found this video for your pleasure. I hope it makes you smile and I hope that you are encouraged to begin something important where ever you are at. Happy “random kindnessing” to you in this new year!

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