During a recent difficult bout with anxiety, someone sent me a beautiful candle. They know I love them and can bring me peace while they burn, as I meditate, mindfully eat a meal, or write/read.
Other small-scale acts: the neighbors who kindly set aside packages in our building to ensure nobody steals them, and the gentleman who recently gave me a few extra baggies to clean up after my dog. I’d run out. Thank you, good sir!
Recently I had a birthday brunch and a birthday dinner. The small act of kindness was receiving flowers on my birthday. It was a beautiful bouquet of Roses with this other white flower. I took them home and knew I needed to buy a vase and throw these flowers in water. I remember being at Walmart thinking to myself “I’ve never had to purchase a vase before” and then it occurred to me that is because this is the first time I have ever received a beautiful bouquet of flowers. After I set the flowers in my vase I cried. They were absolutely beautiful. The kindest and most romantic act I have always prayed for was given to me by a really good group of friends. Not to mention, a birthday dinner with many simple acts of kindness by my best friend for ordering a drink for me, paying for my dinner and dessert, and opting to be my camera man afterwards as we took photos on a beautiful balcony in a beautiful hotel. This was a dream birthday celebration that I never had before filled with loving kindness from the people around me who I usually do not receive generosity or care from…. It has made me stop in my tracks multiple times grateful that I did not end my life previously as I never thought I would be able to receive such positive energy or love from others in such a way. I am grateful.
A seemingly Immigrant family outside a local grocery store with 3 small children holding up a sign for help. This was a no brainer to me to help, be it a small gesture I am sure it was huge to this family.
This is something I just did myself recently; I’ll share it because it made a difference and that reinforces my intention of doing it again.
In the staff meetings I run we close with a section called “kudos” in which we share gratitude for something a team member has done. Could be small (sharing a GIF with cookies when we all said we needed a cookie), could be big. We’ve expanded this to giving a shoutout to the work of other people in our large agency. I then send an email to that person with our thanks (naming the specific thing they did) and cc their supervisor so they’ll know that person’s work is appreciated.
Last week we had a meeting of my fellow division directors in which several people commented on the really great work by the person leading our agency’s work in an initiative that has to do with creating and fostering a culture of belonging. I extended the practice from my own staff meetings and sent that person an email with a cc to their supervisor, sharing the compliments they’d gotten (all of which were things like “If we could bottle their infectious enthusiasm and spread it around the agency, this work would succeed overnight”).
The next day I got a short, heartfelt message: “Thank you for that email. That was a bucket-filler.”
In turning this around to talk about something I did I’m reminding myself that a small kindness from me can fill someone’s bucket when they really need it.
We think of acts of kindness as giving, and they usually are. But sometimes the greater gift is to let someone give to you.
One case in point: I was in NYC’s Penn Station at rush hour going the “wrong” way. I was trying to make my way up a flight of stairs with mobs of people coming downstairs. I finally made my way to the railing and was about halfway up a man who appeared homeless was blocking my way. There was no way in the world I could go around him (I need the railing). He saw my dilemma and held out his hand. He guided me around him and back to the railing. I smiled, he smiled. I am sure that it was the first time in a very long time that he was able to help someone else.
My mind is on 9/11/2001 today. It is the 22nd anniversary of that heartbreaking terrorist attack that robbed so many of life and left so many others without a husband, wife, father, mother or child. I think of the passengers on Flight 93 as they attempted to gain control of the plane that was headed to Washington D.C. most likely to crash into the White House or the Capitol building. At 9:57 am that morning, the passengers and crew of that flight began their assault on the cockpit. At least two passengers and one crew member terminated phone calls in order to join the revolt. The plane was passing over Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania at this time, east of Pittsburgh. The hijackers inside the cockpit are heard yelling “No!” over the sound of breaking glass. The final spoken words on the recorder were a calm voice in English instructing, “Pull it up.” The plane then crashed into an empty field in Stonycreek, Pennsylvania, about 20 minutes’ flying time from Washington, D.C. Such an act of courage. It took their lives but not at the expense of the lives of others. It was certainly not a small act but it made a powerful difference.
As for today’s question, I share a morning med from 2021:
Morning Meds June 3 2021 Try a Little Kindness
“Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness;
And bearing one with another,
And forgiving one another,
And not laying accusations
One against another;
But praying one for another,
And helping one another
Up with a tender hand.”
– Isaac Penington (1616-1679),
I was bullied as a child and seldom felt safe. I found it hard to trust myself and others. But, as an adult, I’ve been the recipient of so many instances of kindnesses that are healing.. Every thing from a gracious smile to being taken in and told I had a home for as long as I needed it. Kindness can be transformative. It opens physical, emotional and spiritual doors. Kindness can move mountains!
Everyday there are acts of kindness happening. Today when the meditation teachers show up is actually a huge act of kindness. They do this without acting anything in return. That’s amazing!
At my short stay in a Psych Hospital,
I witnessed small acts of kindness
every day. Broken people helping other
broken people.
This had a profound impact on me.
It changed my life. It gave me something
to aspire to and It showed me a way to be
in this world.
Thinking about this makes me emotional,
In a very good way.
Thank you so much for this reminder.🙏
I see acts of kindness all the time. I love when people let others go in front of them in line at the store because they have less items. Or when someone holds the door for someone else. I mentioned here recently two separate tables offering to pay for a table of police officers that were dining in my restaurant. That was powerful. Every act of kindness is powerful because it ignites the good energy that much more.
Several years ago, I was heading to town on a Saturday afternoon. The dirt road commonly called the Gunbarrel, known for its rocky sections. I saw a truck with flat tire and an older fellow looking perplexed. I stopped and offered my assistance. The man was a bit exasperated; it was a newer pickup with a hard bed cover, and he was opening it up to begin to look for the jack and tire iron. He told me he had no idea where the tools were. I suggested we look behind the back seat or under the passenger seat. We found them and I replaced the flat with the spare. He and his wife were very appreciative. They had been in the mountains and were heading to Durango. He took out his wallet to give me some money. I told him thanks but no thanks. Just help someone else out if you have the opportunity.
Reckless driving is an irritant for me. First off I say thank you that I am safe, pray for the folk that was in a hurry, and give them an excuse that it must be an emergency and pray for that situation.
I know what you mean, Rabbit.
I get angry and depressed seeing
people out in the world with no
common courtesy.
I’m attempting to use these
moments when I see someone
acting in a disruptive, unkind,
and antisocial way, to practice
empathy. Its such a challenge.
A colleague had some upsetting news recently, with a diagnosis of a chronic disease. A quiet reminder that this does not define her and never will. It is something that is lived with, but never can it become part of her identity. I feel it created a little space for her.
With today being 9/11 there were many acts of kindness. I have been donating to Paulies Push for a couple years now on this date.
Any major catastrophe, like hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes usually you see the goodness of people wanting to help each other out.
I will light a candle in remembrance of today.
Also, may I please ask for prayers for my son – I am off today and taking him for oral sx – getting all 4 wisdom teeth out, two impacted. He has never been put under and is very anxious. Prayers for a successful sx and healing energy would be very appreciated.
Thank you everyone – seeing all these responses makes me want to cry. He did good! I was very good with every 15 mins switching out the cold packs for the face mask, 15 on 15 off, did that all day long. He has so many meds to take – tapered steroids, antibiotics, ibuprofen, pain meds, oral rinses. We are organized and all is up on a white board – he actually did that, lol. I will pop over to his apt after work today to check on him. I’m so tired already so hopefully I will get a 2nd wind later in the day.
I appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you for giving me a big smile to start my day.
Now the day after, I hope that your son’s procedure went well, Michele. It does sound like a long healing road ahead though. Hope too, that he’s able to get the pain meds he needs as he heals. Today, I’m saying a prayer for your son, and for his mom as well. Take care.
Michele,
I am relieved to see you hear. You are one of reasons that I visit so haven’t been here much recently. I will indeed pray for you son and you and can relate. Remember some big issues with my wisdom teeth. Also, my husband has to have a tooth out that they can’t fix, and they won’t replace it. He already has a bridge and partial, so I hope this is too discouraging for him. Let us know how you two do. Lots of soft food. Ice cream!
I see small acts of kindness taking place frequently. But, they happen fast, and with our daily rhythms moving on to the next thing, it’s near impossible to go back and find out which ones made a powerful difference. Besides, just witnessing small acts of kindness as they come is powerful enough.
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During a recent difficult bout with anxiety, someone sent me a beautiful candle. They know I love them and can bring me peace while they burn, as I meditate, mindfully eat a meal, or write/read.
Other small-scale acts: the neighbors who kindly set aside packages in our building to ensure nobody steals them, and the gentleman who recently gave me a few extra baggies to clean up after my dog. I’d run out. Thank you, good sir!
Recently I had a birthday brunch and a birthday dinner. The small act of kindness was receiving flowers on my birthday. It was a beautiful bouquet of Roses with this other white flower. I took them home and knew I needed to buy a vase and throw these flowers in water. I remember being at Walmart thinking to myself “I’ve never had to purchase a vase before” and then it occurred to me that is because this is the first time I have ever received a beautiful bouquet of flowers. After I set the flowers in my vase I cried. They were absolutely beautiful. The kindest and most romantic act I have always prayed for was given to me by a really good group of friends. Not to mention, a birthday dinner with many simple acts of kindness by my best friend for ordering a drink for me, paying for my dinner and dessert, and opting to be my camera man afterwards as we took photos on a beautiful balcony in a beautiful hotel. This was a dream birthday celebration that I never had before filled with loving kindness from the people around me who I usually do not receive generosity or care from…. It has made me stop in my tracks multiple times grateful that I did not end my life previously as I never thought I would be able to receive such positive energy or love from others in such a way. I am grateful.
Wow, Sounds perfect!! Guardian angels all about! Happy belated Birthday MACARADANIELLE!!
A seemingly Immigrant family outside a local grocery store with 3 small children holding up a sign for help. This was a no brainer to me to help, be it a small gesture I am sure it was huge to this family.
This is something I just did myself recently; I’ll share it because it made a difference and that reinforces my intention of doing it again.
In the staff meetings I run we close with a section called “kudos” in which we share gratitude for something a team member has done. Could be small (sharing a GIF with cookies when we all said we needed a cookie), could be big. We’ve expanded this to giving a shoutout to the work of other people in our large agency. I then send an email to that person with our thanks (naming the specific thing they did) and cc their supervisor so they’ll know that person’s work is appreciated.
Last week we had a meeting of my fellow division directors in which several people commented on the really great work by the person leading our agency’s work in an initiative that has to do with creating and fostering a culture of belonging. I extended the practice from my own staff meetings and sent that person an email with a cc to their supervisor, sharing the compliments they’d gotten (all of which were things like “If we could bottle their infectious enthusiasm and spread it around the agency, this work would succeed overnight”).
The next day I got a short, heartfelt message: “Thank you for that email. That was a bucket-filler.”
In turning this around to talk about something I did I’m reminding myself that a small kindness from me can fill someone’s bucket when they really need it.
My bucket is filled by your consistent sharing here.
May our buckets be filled to capacity.
Thank you!
We think of acts of kindness as giving, and they usually are. But sometimes the greater gift is to let someone give to you.
One case in point: I was in NYC’s Penn Station at rush hour going the “wrong” way. I was trying to make my way up a flight of stairs with mobs of people coming downstairs. I finally made my way to the railing and was about halfway up a man who appeared homeless was blocking my way. There was no way in the world I could go around him (I need the railing). He saw my dilemma and held out his hand. He guided me around him and back to the railing. I smiled, he smiled. I am sure that it was the first time in a very long time that he was able to help someone else.
My mind is on 9/11/2001 today. It is the 22nd anniversary of that heartbreaking terrorist attack that robbed so many of life and left so many others without a husband, wife, father, mother or child. I think of the passengers on Flight 93 as they attempted to gain control of the plane that was headed to Washington D.C. most likely to crash into the White House or the Capitol building. At 9:57 am that morning, the passengers and crew of that flight began their assault on the cockpit. At least two passengers and one crew member terminated phone calls in order to join the revolt. The plane was passing over Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania at this time, east of Pittsburgh. The hijackers inside the cockpit are heard yelling “No!” over the sound of breaking glass. The final spoken words on the recorder were a calm voice in English instructing, “Pull it up.” The plane then crashed into an empty field in Stonycreek, Pennsylvania, about 20 minutes’ flying time from Washington, D.C. Such an act of courage. It took their lives but not at the expense of the lives of others. It was certainly not a small act but it made a powerful difference.
As for today’s question, I share a morning med from 2021:
Morning Meds June 3 2021 Try a Little Kindness
“Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness;
And bearing one with another,
And forgiving one another,
And not laying accusations
One against another;
But praying one for another,
And helping one another
Up with a tender hand.”
– Isaac Penington (1616-1679),
I was bullied as a child and seldom felt safe. I found it hard to trust myself and others. But, as an adult, I’ve been the recipient of so many instances of kindnesses that are healing.. Every thing from a gracious smile to being taken in and told I had a home for as long as I needed it. Kindness can be transformative. It opens physical, emotional and spiritual doors. Kindness can move mountains!
Everyday there are acts of kindness happening. Today when the meditation teachers show up is actually a huge act of kindness. They do this without acting anything in return. That’s amazing!
Just recently I received 3 expressions of ….
“I have been thinking of you, how is it going.” Those thoughts really touched me.
At my short stay in a Psych Hospital,
I witnessed small acts of kindness
every day. Broken people helping other
broken people.
This had a profound impact on me.
It changed my life. It gave me something
to aspire to and It showed me a way to be
in this world.
Thinking about this makes me emotional,
In a very good way.
Thank you so much for this reminder.🙏
I see acts of kindness all the time. I love when people let others go in front of them in line at the store because they have less items. Or when someone holds the door for someone else. I mentioned here recently two separate tables offering to pay for a table of police officers that were dining in my restaurant. That was powerful. Every act of kindness is powerful because it ignites the good energy that much more.
Several years ago, I was heading to town on a Saturday afternoon. The dirt road commonly called the Gunbarrel, known for its rocky sections. I saw a truck with flat tire and an older fellow looking perplexed. I stopped and offered my assistance. The man was a bit exasperated; it was a newer pickup with a hard bed cover, and he was opening it up to begin to look for the jack and tire iron. He told me he had no idea where the tools were. I suggested we look behind the back seat or under the passenger seat. We found them and I replaced the flat with the spare. He and his wife were very appreciative. They had been in the mountains and were heading to Durango. He took out his wallet to give me some money. I told him thanks but no thanks. Just help someone else out if you have the opportunity.
I see and do these often. The challenge is to focus on these instead of the dark, unkind, and lawless things going on. Any tips?
Reckless driving is an irritant for me. First off I say thank you that I am safe, pray for the folk that was in a hurry, and give them an excuse that it must be an emergency and pray for that situation.
I know what you mean, Rabbit.
I get angry and depressed seeing
people out in the world with no
common courtesy.
I’m attempting to use these
moments when I see someone
acting in a disruptive, unkind,
and antisocial way, to practice
empathy. Its such a challenge.
A colleague had some upsetting news recently, with a diagnosis of a chronic disease. A quiet reminder that this does not define her and never will. It is something that is lived with, but never can it become part of her identity. I feel it created a little space for her.
With today being 9/11 there were many acts of kindness. I have been donating to Paulies Push for a couple years now on this date.
Any major catastrophe, like hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes usually you see the goodness of people wanting to help each other out.
I will light a candle in remembrance of today.
Also, may I please ask for prayers for my son – I am off today and taking him for oral sx – getting all 4 wisdom teeth out, two impacted. He has never been put under and is very anxious. Prayers for a successful sx and healing energy would be very appreciated.
Thank you everyone – seeing all these responses makes me want to cry. He did good! I was very good with every 15 mins switching out the cold packs for the face mask, 15 on 15 off, did that all day long. He has so many meds to take – tapered steroids, antibiotics, ibuprofen, pain meds, oral rinses. We are organized and all is up on a white board – he actually did that, lol. I will pop over to his apt after work today to check on him. I’m so tired already so hopefully I will get a 2nd wind later in the day.
I appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you for giving me a big smile to start my day.
Now the day after, I hope that your son’s procedure went well, Michele. It does sound like a long healing road ahead though. Hope too, that he’s able to get the pain meds he needs as he heals. Today, I’m saying a prayer for your son, and for his mom as well. Take care.
Hope all went well for your son’s surgery today Michele.
Praying for your son . 🙏
Lots of healing energy for your son!
Michele,
I am relieved to see you hear. You are one of reasons that I visit so haven’t been here much recently. I will indeed pray for you son and you and can relate. Remember some big issues with my wisdom teeth. Also, my husband has to have a tooth out that they can’t fix, and they won’t replace it. He already has a bridge and partial, so I hope this is too discouraging for him. Let us know how you two do. Lots of soft food. Ice cream!
With you & your son in 🙏.
Prayers coming your son’s way, and yours, Michele.
On their way Michele.
Sending calm and prayers to your son and to you, Michele.
I see small acts of kindness taking place frequently. But, they happen fast, and with our daily rhythms moving on to the next thing, it’s near impossible to go back and find out which ones made a powerful difference. Besides, just witnessing small acts of kindness as they come is powerful enough.