I experienced a random act today. I made a lateral move at my organization giving me an opportunity to leverage my skills. It’s been an interesting transition. She showed up at my office today with a card and a plant. It was a bit of a walk and she had to have someone escort her to my office. This made my day and encouraged me.
When I was going thru my divorce (over 20 yrs ago) and found out my ex husband lost his job so I wouldn’t have child support. It was Christmas time, my coworker submitted my name for X-mas support funds. I was completely shocked but so very grateful
Sometimes when you are kind you don’t know how powerful a difference it will make but kindness like joy always makes a difference! Thought you might find this poem a good meditation on kindness.
KINDNESS by Naomi Shibab Nye
Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.
Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.
Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
It is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.
My younger daughter and her fiance are in Florida right now. They went there for his cousin’s wedding. My mom brain questions the wisdom of going there in the face of hurricanes, of course. But now that they’re there, they were able to help his large extended family relocate north out of the direct path of Milton. They’re trying to convince all of them to get further away.
This reminds me of the question that Valarie Kaur is asking everyone this fall as she goes on her inspirational Revolutionary Love Tour: “When did an act of love change everything?”
My husband has been in the hospital a few times over the past 15 years, and each time there have been many acts of kindness from friends as well as strangers that made a powerful difference. One time that sticks in my mind is when I was waiting in the hospital cafeteria line to get my supper, and when I came to pay, I broke down in tears. The lady who was the cashier stepped out from behind the cash register and gave me a hug. It really made a powerful difference to me to have this stranger show me love and care.
For me, it’s when people reach out to check in on me. I have felt ignored and insignificant for majority of my life, so when someone sends me a message or gives me a call, I can’t help but feel so touched. It makes me realize that I matter to others and that I am thought of.
I have been the recipient of small acts of kindness and they changed my life. When everything was stripped away and I was scared and vulnerable,
I was shown kindness and compassion. It gave me something to aim for, something to aspire to. When I made kindness my goal, much of the comparison and shame and regret, shifted a little.
A neighbor let me come fill big jugs of water a few days after Helene hit our area. We had no running water, so his offering to us helped us in multiple ways. I really enjoyed talking to him as well. He was so nice!
A few weeks past, a woman completely forgot where she parked her car in a large downtown city where I work. After receiving help from an officer, she had to wait for her daughter to come from a nearby subway to give her a ride home. I decided to visit with her for a short time, as I could see how anxious she was. It wasn’t a chore to offer compassion and provide her with some support.
Your kindness mattered so much in those moments. This reminds me of the incident that really convinced my mom she needed to see a doctor for her memory.
She got lost driving to the hairdresser she’d gone to for 25 years. She drove around and around and finally saw a phone booth (this was many years ago). She called the hairdresser, who asked Mom to describe what she could see around her. From that information the hairdresser could figure out where Mom was. She told Mom to stay put and called my dad, who came to get Mom. The hairdresser’s kindness helped Mom in a scary moment. I went to the doctor with Mom and it turned out she was developing vascular dementia.
This past week, as I was recovering from Covid, my husband was out of town. It worked out well as he was not trying to avoid Covid, and I could have the whole house to myself. Our neighbors, brought dinner to me not one night, but two, and offered a third! Another neighbor left a beautiful bouquet of dahlias on my porch. So their kindness made me feel connected while being isolated. They also were a reminder of how to build a neighborhood.
Yesterday, I went on my morning walk by myself. There was a lady name Lorey walking with her dog. She asked me why I wasn’t walking with Ngoc. I told her that it was cold for her. Then, Lorey asked me if I miss Ngoc, I said “Yes.” It goes to show how a random act of kindness no matter how small the gesture can make a difference.
A few days ago, I unintentionally found a website called FreeRice.com while searching for a platform to help expand my English vocabulary. Free Rice is developed by The United Nations World Food Programme, a program that helps the hungriest people in the world. The idea of the Free Rice website is that when users study vocabulary, the more correct answers they get in the vocabulary quiz, the more grains of rice will be donated to the program. Private donors match the users’ correct answers with the amount of rice for donations. Recalling the pictures of hungry people that I saw on TV truly touched my heart deeply as I read about Free Rice’s mission. It’s amazing that while I’m studying for myself, I’m also participating in such a meaningful program.
Here is the website if you’re interested: https://play.freerice.com/categories
Our neighbors across the street are frail and elderly (86 and 82 I think). She has had a bad back for a long time, and when she suspended her daily walk, my wife immediately offered to make them a hot meal. Ultimately, she now checks in with them and about every couple of weeks makes them a casserole or homemade soup. There is usually enough for 2 or 3 meals for each of them, and what they can’t eat right away, everything is freezable.
The couples daughter visits almost daily, one of their sons lives with them, and works, and a third child lives near by. He works too. The kids have arranged for house cleaner service too.
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When I was feeling left out in Geology, my friends David and Margaret told me that they were just glad I was there! It made me feel so good and loved!
I experienced a random act today. I made a lateral move at my organization giving me an opportunity to leverage my skills. It’s been an interesting transition. She showed up at my office today with a card and a plant. It was a bit of a walk and she had to have someone escort her to my office. This made my day and encouraged me.
When I was going thru my divorce (over 20 yrs ago) and found out my ex husband lost his job so I wouldn’t have child support. It was Christmas time, my coworker submitted my name for X-mas support funds. I was completely shocked but so very grateful
Wow that is a good one ! Thanks for sharing!
Sometimes when you are kind you don’t know how powerful a difference it will make but kindness like joy always makes a difference! Thought you might find this poem a good meditation on kindness.
KINDNESS by Naomi Shibab Nye
Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.
Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.
Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
It is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.
Thank you very much for that poem, Carol. Mind and heart food to ponder.
Joseph, you are most welcome.
My younger daughter and her fiance are in Florida right now. They went there for his cousin’s wedding. My mom brain questions the wisdom of going there in the face of hurricanes, of course. But now that they’re there, they were able to help his large extended family relocate north out of the direct path of Milton. They’re trying to convince all of them to get further away.
Hope they some how helped them. There is no gas and many are stuck on the highway trying to get out of florida
When people reach out to me/us.
The other night our son was trying to show us the northern lights via zoom. It didn’t work but his thoughtfulness touched us.
How cute!
This reminds me of the question that Valarie Kaur is asking everyone this fall as she goes on her inspirational Revolutionary Love Tour: “When did an act of love change everything?”
My husband has been in the hospital a few times over the past 15 years, and each time there have been many acts of kindness from friends as well as strangers that made a powerful difference. One time that sticks in my mind is when I was waiting in the hospital cafeteria line to get my supper, and when I came to pay, I broke down in tears. The lady who was the cashier stepped out from behind the cash register and gave me a hug. It really made a powerful difference to me to have this stranger show me love and care.
This woman/cashier was in the right place at that point in time, Elizabeth. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
Im a big fan of Valerie Kaur’s- SEE NO STRANGER. Beautiful story that reflects her message.
For me, it’s when people reach out to check in on me. I have felt ignored and insignificant for majority of my life, so when someone sends me a message or gives me a call, I can’t help but feel so touched. It makes me realize that I matter to others and that I am thought of.
I have been the recipient of small acts of kindness and they changed my life. When everything was stripped away and I was scared and vulnerable,
I was shown kindness and compassion. It gave me something to aim for, something to aspire to. When I made kindness my goal, much of the comparison and shame and regret, shifted a little.
A neighbor let me come fill big jugs of water a few days after Helene hit our area. We had no running water, so his offering to us helped us in multiple ways. I really enjoyed talking to him as well. He was so nice!
A few weeks past, a woman completely forgot where she parked her car in a large downtown city where I work. After receiving help from an officer, she had to wait for her daughter to come from a nearby subway to give her a ride home. I decided to visit with her for a short time, as I could see how anxious she was. It wasn’t a chore to offer compassion and provide her with some support.
Your kindness mattered so much in those moments. This reminds me of the incident that really convinced my mom she needed to see a doctor for her memory.
She got lost driving to the hairdresser she’d gone to for 25 years. She drove around and around and finally saw a phone booth (this was many years ago). She called the hairdresser, who asked Mom to describe what she could see around her. From that information the hairdresser could figure out where Mom was. She told Mom to stay put and called my dad, who came to get Mom. The hairdresser’s kindness helped Mom in a scary moment. I went to the doctor with Mom and it turned out she was developing vascular dementia.
I am so touched by your story, Barb. I can feel the emotions of each person here.
This past week, as I was recovering from Covid, my husband was out of town. It worked out well as he was not trying to avoid Covid, and I could have the whole house to myself. Our neighbors, brought dinner to me not one night, but two, and offered a third! Another neighbor left a beautiful bouquet of dahlias on my porch. So their kindness made me feel connected while being isolated. They also were a reminder of how to build a neighborhood.
Yesterday, I went on my morning walk by myself. There was a lady name Lorey walking with her dog. She asked me why I wasn’t walking with Ngoc. I told her that it was cold for her. Then, Lorey asked me if I miss Ngoc, I said “Yes.” It goes to show how a random act of kindness no matter how small the gesture can make a difference.
A few days ago, I unintentionally found a website called FreeRice.com while searching for a platform to help expand my English vocabulary. Free Rice is developed by The United Nations World Food Programme, a program that helps the hungriest people in the world. The idea of the Free Rice website is that when users study vocabulary, the more correct answers they get in the vocabulary quiz, the more grains of rice will be donated to the program. Private donors match the users’ correct answers with the amount of rice for donations. Recalling the pictures of hungry people that I saw on TV truly touched my heart deeply as I read about Free Rice’s mission. It’s amazing that while I’m studying for myself, I’m also participating in such a meaningful program.
Here is the website if you’re interested:
https://play.freerice.com/categories
That’s very cool
My Ngoc, what a great way to study. We’re earning knowledge while helping others.
Our neighbors across the street are frail and elderly (86 and 82 I think). She has had a bad back for a long time, and when she suspended her daily walk, my wife immediately offered to make them a hot meal. Ultimately, she now checks in with them and about every couple of weeks makes them a casserole or homemade soup. There is usually enough for 2 or 3 meals for each of them, and what they can’t eat right away, everything is freezable.
The couples daughter visits almost daily, one of their sons lives with them, and works, and a third child lives near by. He works too. The kids have arranged for house cleaner service too.