Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Random Acts of Kindness

Wednesday, September 30, 2009




It's been mentioned here at SIS quite a few times how much we all detest rude people. It seems as though the number of rude people I encounter each day seems to grow and grow. The other day I was approaching a convenience store entrance at the same time as one of its employees. She saw me coming and picked up her pace to get to the door first. Was she trying to get there first so she could hold the door for me? How very nice! But, no. She opened the door, walked in and let the door close in my face. I couldn't believe it!


Rude and inconsiderate acts take place every day to every one of us. And we are always appalled and always complaining, but the fact remains that it's just part of life. Not every one out there is a decent person. But there are plenty of kind considerate people out there. They may be hard to find, but they are there. Isn't it nice when someone does something nice for you for no reason at all? Especially when it is a stranger.


Last year, my husband, children and I went to a local family sports pub. We needed an inexpensive day out so we decided to go and play some darts and have some munchies. While playing, our server came over and asked if we were busy that night. Odd question I thought, but we answered no and asked why. She asked if we wanted to go to a Buccaneer pre-season game. She had four tickets that the owner wasn't using and we were welcome to take them if we wanted to go. I love football and was thrilled. We accepted the tickets and went to the game and although we were at the very top of the stadium, I mean the very last row of seats, we had a great time. There were plenty of people in that pub that day and she could have given those tickets to anyone. I'm so glad she chose us! How nice!


We moved into our new house last year just two days before Christmas. It was such a hectic time, but we were finally in and just getting situated. We stayed home for New Year's Eve with the boys. We all watched the ball drop and looked forward to the start of a new year. We awoke New Year's Day to a plumbing nightmare. Both toilets were over flowing and water was every where. My wonderful husband was in there plunging and flushing and doing his best to fix the problem as water continued to flood the bathrooms.


We finally rented a snake from Home Depot and after 3 more hours had the problem solved. Now it was time for me to clean that mess up. I was throwing towels on the floor and gagging and cursing and so not happy about the whole thing. I called Barb to complain and told her how I knew it was mostly only water, but I didn't think I would ever be able to use my towels again. A couple days later, I came home and found a big box on the door step. I wasn't expecting anything. Inside, beautiful towels with a note from Barb saying how she and her mother-in-law had found a great sale and she hoped we would enjoy them. I cried. Every time I pull one of those towels out of the linen closet, I think of her and smile. How very thoughtful!


My husband and I, on several occasions, have seen women walking alone on the side of the road. Some have been old, some have been disabled, one was drunk. We pull over and offer them a ride and to my surprise, all but one have accepted. One woman was probably 70 years old. She had been to the hospital for tests and couldn't reach her husband to get a ride home so she decided to walk. I think she must have totally misjudged the distance because when we found her she had already walked about 2 miles and was have much difficulty. She said her home was just a little further. It was probably 3 miles more to her house. All of these women have been so thankful that we stopped and offered them a ride. I'm glad we do it. I just hope we don't happen to pick up some gun toting grandmother!


When was the last time someone did something nice for you? It could be the smallest of gestures. Just some thing that made you say, "Wow! That was really nice!"


And while you're out in the world today, do some thing nice for some one. Help an old lady cross the street. Let some one with less items than you get in front of you in line at the grocery store. Or maybe just smile at some one who looks like they are having a bad day. Spread the love people! Spread the love!



Have a Spectacular Day!


SIS Bren



11 comments:

B.J. said...

Hi Brenda, A few weeks ago I was standing in line at the VP when some people walked in. I turned around and smiled at them. When I was starting to leave a nice looking older gentleman(think Sean Connery) stopped me and told me that when he walked in I had the most beautiful smile. I smiled at him again and told him thankyou. I smile at people everyday but that was the first time someone complimented me for it. That nice gentleman made my day.

Mary Stella said...

I love random acts of kindness. When my nephews were young kids, we called it doing a kindness chain. I think the popular term is "Paying it forward". I firmly believe that being kind is balm for the soul of the person who receives the kindness and for the one who gives it. Good karma all around.

A lovely couple with whom I've more recently become friends did something nice for me recently. They know I have a boat and am looking to add some fishing gear. While at a yard sale, they spotted a couple of rods and reels in good condition. Out of the blue they called to see if I wanted them. They then bought them and brought them home for me!

I'm going to create some kindness opportunities today! Thank you for the inspiration.

Sisters-in-Sync said...

B.J.,

If I saw an older gentleman looking like Sean Connery, I'd smile at him too. And maybe even wink! HA! You DO have a very beautiful smile and I'm sure every one on the receiving end of it gets a warm fuzzy feeling inside!

SIS Bren

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Hello Mary Stella!

You are so right! It feels just as good to give the kindness as it does to receive it!

How very thoughtful and nice of that couple to think of you! Fishing in the Keys from a boat? I'm so jealous. We enjoy fishing also, but would love to come to the Keys and do some snorkeling and fishing there. And of course see you too!

Happy Fishing!

SIS Bren

Malcolm R. Campbell said...

One delightful person makes up for ten rude people. Of course, I still want the rude people to shut up.

Your post was today's nice person; no, wait a minute, I got an e-mail from a librarian wanting copies of my books. That's nice, too.

Malcolm

Barb said...

Bren,

Great post and one that had me thinking all day long. It also inspired me. At work, we ordered Jimmy John's subs today and the delivery guy forgot his pen on the counter. It happened to be unique in the fact that it had a crayon taped to one end of it (to take impressions of credit cards). My first thought was he'll be mad when he doesn't have that at his next stop. My next thought...Be kind. So, I ran, chasing him for a full block in my black high heeled boots. He was so happy and thankful. It took 1 minute out of my day and it was simple. But he appreciated it.

I will spread the kindness tomorrow!

SIS Barb

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Touching post, Brenda. I also enjoyed everyone's additions.

I'm moved and impressed when a stranger holds open a door for me. A small gesture, but a HUGE consideration. I ALWAYS hold the door for other people and I hope they apreciate the kindness as much as I do.

I live each day simply trying to be a kind person. But I know I can do better. Something to work toward!

SIS Beth

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Hi Malcom,

It's true that one nice person makes up for the rude acts of several people. But you're right, they should still shut up.
I'm thrilled that I counted as a nice person today, and even more thrilled for you that a librarian wants copies of your books. That IS nice!

SIS Bren

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Hello Barb,

I would have loved to have seen you running down the street in your heels. But being the nice person I am, I would have picked you up and given you a ride.

Thanks for spreading kindness...You always do anyway.

SIS Bren

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Hi Beth,

I also always appreciate when someone holds a door for me and I always try to hold doors for other people.

You are a very kind person so I'm sure you don't have to work at it. It's just nice to sometimes consciously go out of your way to be kind. I'm sure you do that too. I know you've done it for me and I've always greatly appreciated it!

SIS Bren

Olga said...

What a wonderful topic! I take a smile or a friendly ear as a random act of kindness, and I'm grateful for every one I get. I try to do the same in return.

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