Kindness Chronicles, 4-1-12

Well I must not have been very kind this week, because I can't remember any particular instance.  So I'll post a story I found recently, on kindnessusa.org.


"During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper leaving the last question blank. Before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.'" I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy."


I believe that simple acknowlegement of the humanity of others is one of the kindest things we can do.  And I do try to practice that one little thing every day.

A pocket page from my sketchbook.

Kindness Chronicles - 3/27/12

What was my favorite "Random Act of Kindness" this past week?  Well, I let 2 different people go ahead of me in the grocery line ... it's amazing how grateful people are when that happens! ... and started a conversation with an elderly gentleman who was waiting in the Customer Service line with me at The Dreaded Walmart.  He seemed a little taken aback at first, but as the wait grew longer, he launched into some stories about his grandchildren.  It made the waiting time go faster for both of us, and kept me from getting frustrated.

My favorite R.A.K, though, was letting another driver take the parking place we were both angling for.  She looked so surprised when I waved her in, and even trotted to catch up with me on foot and thank me.  What a lovely (short) conversation we had, and I felt wonderful for the rest of the day.

It seems that simple "acts of kindness" always make me feel better, both about myself and about the people around me.  It's one of those things that benefit the "do-er" more than the "do-ee".  I'm also loving the fact that I'm becoming more and more aware of every-day opportunities to be kind.  It doesn't take anything away from me, and in fact, gives me a huge Happiness Boost.

Try it, you'll like it!

Kindness Chronicles - 3/19/12

My favorite experience with the Kindness Chronicles challenge this week was with a Down's Syndrome lady I met in the grocery store.  She was accompanied by her parents (or maybe they were her grandparents), who were getting frustrated with her attempts to stop people to talk to them.  She had the sweetest smile, and I decided I was not in such a hurry that I couldn't stop and visit with her.  She was pointing to the "muscles" in her arm, and telling me that she goes to the gym every day.  As we visited (I had a hard time understanding her, but she didn't seem to mind), she would occasionally reach out to touch my arm and ask if I had muscles.  I laughed and told her that I needed to go to the gym too!  Finally, as her guardians urged her to leave me alone, I asked if I could have a hug.  She was enthusiastic but gentle in her response, and I walked away feeling happier than I had that morning.  What a sweet spirit resides in that lady, and I felt lucky to have basked in her radiance for just a little while.

Kindness Chronicles - March 4, 2012

My very first post of my monthly Kindness Chronicles was supposed to be today … and I almost forgot about it!  Well, I had made a few notes this past week to think about, so I’ll go ahead with the post, albeit a little bit late.

One of my favorite public activities has always been to see if I could make someone smile if they were looking grumpy.  It doesn’t always work, but it’s surprising how many times it does.

I first started doing this about 20 or 30 years ago, in my car.  I’d make it a point to catch the eye of an oncoming driver (passing in the opposite direction … I didn’t want any follow-ups or someone thinking I was flirting).  I’d smile or even wave.  Sometimes they would wave back, and sometimes look a little confused … “Do I know her?”  Nevertheless, it’s pretty rare that the person wouldn’t respond at all.  It became kind of a game for me.

Later I started doing it with people on the street.  That takes a bit more courage, and I’m always mindful of my personal safety, but I’ve never had a negative or adverse reaction from anyone.  (Once a construction worker thought I was flirting and yelled something to impress his friends … but it was broad daylight, I was in a crowd, and I just pretended not to hear, smiled, and walked on.)  Every other experience has always been positive.

I do think that people are so rushed and preoccupied that they are startled when a stranger smiles at them.  I know that when it happens to me, it kind of makes my day, and so I enjoy passing it along.

 

I love what fiber-artist Lyric Kinard has started with her Kindness Chronicles, and I wanted to join in, and try to make the world … or at least my little corner of it … a bit nicer place.  So I hope to keep up the monthly post (first Sunday of the month) for my own sake, and hope that you will join us too.  It’s already making me more “mindful” to be kind to others.