Day 311
My focus for kindness today was on my husband. He broke his elbow yesterday and I was feeling a tad guilty because he drove himself to the hospital. I was kind enough to pick him up and bring him home though...
But it seems there is enough to do to make up for it since he can't drive and is at half capacity for quite a few other things. I stopped by the store on my way home from work to find him something warm to wear that would fit over the wrapped arm and sling. As I was in the check out line another register opened up and the man in front of me gestured for me to go ahead of him. I said no that's OK, but insisted, saying I had only a few things and he had more. The woman in back of me commented how nice it was to see someone being so gracious and kind.
I told her that I couldn't agree more!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Kindness Should Begin At Home
Day 310
My husband took a good spill this morning when walking to get the paper. Rain in the middle of the night, then freezing temperatures created a driveway that looked like a skating rink. So top on our list of to do's was to get additional salt and sand.
When we arrived at the hardware store it was apparent that many folks were in the same boat, as we grabbed the last four bags of salt available. Just as we were about to pay, a woman came complaining about her icy walkway and was told that the salt was sold out. My husband and I looked at each other and decided we could make do with less, and gave her two of our four. She was grateful, as was the woman running the store, since it was one less person she would have to break the news to that they were out of salt for the day.
At home it was a team effort-my husband and I, our sons and their friend who had stayed over- to get our very long driveway salted and sanded. After completing the job, we came in for lunch and also to look at my husband's elbow, the one he landed on when he fell this morning. From the swelling, it was apparent that a trip to the emergency room was in order.
He insisted he could drive himself, and I let him, rationalizing the boys had a friend over and the logistics of getting him home and our boys somewhere other than home alone would be complicated. I did suspect, somewhere in the back of my mind, that letting him drive might not be the kind thing to do.
So when I got the call to pick him up at the hospital because his elbow was broken and he was told driving was out of the question, I had to stop and think about this commitment I have made to kindness. Perhaps in the future, I can focus on kindness to family as well kindness to strangers.
My husband took a good spill this morning when walking to get the paper. Rain in the middle of the night, then freezing temperatures created a driveway that looked like a skating rink. So top on our list of to do's was to get additional salt and sand.
When we arrived at the hardware store it was apparent that many folks were in the same boat, as we grabbed the last four bags of salt available. Just as we were about to pay, a woman came complaining about her icy walkway and was told that the salt was sold out. My husband and I looked at each other and decided we could make do with less, and gave her two of our four. She was grateful, as was the woman running the store, since it was one less person she would have to break the news to that they were out of salt for the day.
At home it was a team effort-my husband and I, our sons and their friend who had stayed over- to get our very long driveway salted and sanded. After completing the job, we came in for lunch and also to look at my husband's elbow, the one he landed on when he fell this morning. From the swelling, it was apparent that a trip to the emergency room was in order.
He insisted he could drive himself, and I let him, rationalizing the boys had a friend over and the logistics of getting him home and our boys somewhere other than home alone would be complicated. I did suspect, somewhere in the back of my mind, that letting him drive might not be the kind thing to do.
So when I got the call to pick him up at the hospital because his elbow was broken and he was told driving was out of the question, I had to stop and think about this commitment I have made to kindness. Perhaps in the future, I can focus on kindness to family as well kindness to strangers.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Calories For Kindness
Day 309
I had about 20 minutes of extra time today before I had to pick up my son from his art class. After reviewing in my mind what I could do in that amount of time, I narrowed it down to walking to get some exercise or buy myself a treat. I went with the latter.
I got an awesome orange chocolate cookie at the cafe across from the building where the class was being held. And while I was there, I gave the woman who waited on me a couple dollars and asked her to buy a treat for the next person who came in after I left. She was initially surprised and commented what a nice gesture it was. She then added “And I'm going to do that for someone too.”
It was then that I knew that I made the right choice, kindness over exercise. I'll walk a few extra steps tomorrow.
Friday, February 4, 2011
And The Most Popular Act Of Kindness Is...
Day 308
If I were to write the most frequent suggestions I've received for random acts of kindness to fulfill my daily commitment at the top of the list would be.......put money in a parking meter for someone. Well here is day 308 and I've finally done it.
I had to go downtown to the courthouse for work today. It's in an area that is usually quite difficult to find a parking space. When circling the block hoping for that elusive spot, it is not uncommon to pass the meter maid also circling, giving out tickets as she goes.
Today it was just meant to be, as I found a place to park almost immediately AND I happened to have a surplus of quarters in my purse. So I was good to go for two hours, and made sure the two cars next to me were safe for at least an hour more. Sadly, as I walked into courthouse I passed a row of four cars sporting orange tickets. Alas, I did what I could.
And perhaps it was also kind to insure the meter maid achieved her quota for the day.
If I were to write the most frequent suggestions I've received for random acts of kindness to fulfill my daily commitment at the top of the list would be.......put money in a parking meter for someone. Well here is day 308 and I've finally done it.
I had to go downtown to the courthouse for work today. It's in an area that is usually quite difficult to find a parking space. When circling the block hoping for that elusive spot, it is not uncommon to pass the meter maid also circling, giving out tickets as she goes.
Today it was just meant to be, as I found a place to park almost immediately AND I happened to have a surplus of quarters in my purse. So I was good to go for two hours, and made sure the two cars next to me were safe for at least an hour more. Sadly, as I walked into courthouse I passed a row of four cars sporting orange tickets. Alas, I did what I could.
And perhaps it was also kind to insure the meter maid achieved her quota for the day.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
40% Discount on Kindness
Day 307
I stopped by a craft store this evening after work and as I was leaving, I wondered what I would do if an opportunity for an act of kindness didn't present itself before I arrived home. And just as I was thinking this, I noticed a young woman trying to scrape snow and ice off the windshield of her car with her hands. Apparently while she was at work all day, the snow had slid off her roof and cemented itself to the windshield.
Quick as you could say “kind” I was in my car and back with a couple of ice scrapers. As I helped her get the car cleaned off, she stepped away for a second and quietly said something to her friend who was gathering shopping carts from the lot. She came back to scraping and I wondered what she had said to the young man. She didn't seem as happy with my help as I thought she would be, although I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting.
As we finished I told her to keep the ice scraper (the cheap plastic one, I held onto the good one with the metal blade; I'm not THAT kind). And as I was starting to walk away her friend came out from inside the store and handed me a crumpled 40% percent off coupon and said “This was all we could find to give you.” It became apparent that the young woman had sent him on a mission. I smiled and told that was very nice and he replied “There should be more people like you around.”
Perhaps the young woman didn't seem as happy as I expected because she was concerned about how to repay me. Or maybe she was just shy. But it seems my gesture was appreciated. And I am hopeful if she sees a stranger in need of some kindness, the gesture will be passed along.
I stopped by a craft store this evening after work and as I was leaving, I wondered what I would do if an opportunity for an act of kindness didn't present itself before I arrived home. And just as I was thinking this, I noticed a young woman trying to scrape snow and ice off the windshield of her car with her hands. Apparently while she was at work all day, the snow had slid off her roof and cemented itself to the windshield.
Quick as you could say “kind” I was in my car and back with a couple of ice scrapers. As I helped her get the car cleaned off, she stepped away for a second and quietly said something to her friend who was gathering shopping carts from the lot. She came back to scraping and I wondered what she had said to the young man. She didn't seem as happy with my help as I thought she would be, although I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting.
As we finished I told her to keep the ice scraper (the cheap plastic one, I held onto the good one with the metal blade; I'm not THAT kind). And as I was starting to walk away her friend came out from inside the store and handed me a crumpled 40% percent off coupon and said “This was all we could find to give you.” It became apparent that the young woman had sent him on a mission. I smiled and told that was very nice and he replied “There should be more people like you around.”
Perhaps the young woman didn't seem as happy as I expected because she was concerned about how to repay me. Or maybe she was just shy. But it seems my gesture was appreciated. And I am hopeful if she sees a stranger in need of some kindness, the gesture will be passed along.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
A Kernel of Effort and a Grain for Kindness
Day 306
Home bound again due to the weather, I was in search of a way to be kind to a stranger without actually leaving the house. There is a website called freerice.com that has a word game and for every correct answer, 10 grains of rice are donated to the Word Food Program. Now I must admit, I have seen this website mentioned in several places, and I never looked at it because I was sure it was some kind of scam. The assumption being that if it was too good to be true, then it must not be.
But today, in search of a kind act that could be committed from the comfort of home, I looked at the website and checked out it's validity on Snopes.com, where it was declared TRUE that using this website results in donations of rice. Apparently the money is generated through the advertisements on the site. So today I donated rice to those in need. I will not say how much because then it will become apparent that I spent way too much time playing the very addicting word game. But it was enough to feed a few folks and to qualify as an act of kindness.
If you would like to hear about an act that required more thought than playing a word game, and shows an honest commitment to the effort it sometimes requires to be kind, please read today's entry in the blog Love Your Neighbor. It is a truly moving account of the writers determination to act kindly in order to see beyond her first impression.
Home bound again due to the weather, I was in search of a way to be kind to a stranger without actually leaving the house. There is a website called freerice.com that has a word game and for every correct answer, 10 grains of rice are donated to the Word Food Program. Now I must admit, I have seen this website mentioned in several places, and I never looked at it because I was sure it was some kind of scam. The assumption being that if it was too good to be true, then it must not be.
But today, in search of a kind act that could be committed from the comfort of home, I looked at the website and checked out it's validity on Snopes.com, where it was declared TRUE that using this website results in donations of rice. Apparently the money is generated through the advertisements on the site. So today I donated rice to those in need. I will not say how much because then it will become apparent that I spent way too much time playing the very addicting word game. But it was enough to feed a few folks and to qualify as an act of kindness.
If you would like to hear about an act that required more thought than playing a word game, and shows an honest commitment to the effort it sometimes requires to be kind, please read today's entry in the blog Love Your Neighbor. It is a truly moving account of the writers determination to act kindly in order to see beyond her first impression.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Survey Says Two Thumbs Up
Day 305
Last week I wrote about how my act of kindness was a complaint (Snow, Coffee and Kindness). Today, at the very same cafe I wrote about last week, I was given the opportunity to give my opinion about the employees.
When I bought my morning coffee, the young woman who waited on me handed me a slip with a website to log in and give feedback about my “experience” at this particular establishment. I was more than happy to oblige since I am there often and it seems that every person I encounter is efficient, friendly and it is just plain pleasant to be greeted by them first thing in the morning.
Well, OK, there is the one guy who seems to know everyone else's name and order except mine. I can't figure out why he knows the woman in front of me has a grande half caff soy latte and the man in back of me has a red eye iced coffee but doesn't remember I get a large bold every time. But he seems to be a hard worker and is quite good-natured. And it really isn't all about me.
When I got home this evening I went to the computer right away before I had the chance to procrastinate. For me, procrastination is the single most lethal weapon against plans to be kind. On the survey I sang the praises of the employees and said that this particular coffee shop was, without a doubt, my favorite.
It is hard to imagine that this message will get passed along and the staff rewarded in someway, but for the price of a little effort and a fight to ward off procrastination maybe, just maybe it will.
Last week I wrote about how my act of kindness was a complaint (Snow, Coffee and Kindness). Today, at the very same cafe I wrote about last week, I was given the opportunity to give my opinion about the employees.
When I bought my morning coffee, the young woman who waited on me handed me a slip with a website to log in and give feedback about my “experience” at this particular establishment. I was more than happy to oblige since I am there often and it seems that every person I encounter is efficient, friendly and it is just plain pleasant to be greeted by them first thing in the morning.
Well, OK, there is the one guy who seems to know everyone else's name and order except mine. I can't figure out why he knows the woman in front of me has a grande half caff soy latte and the man in back of me has a red eye iced coffee but doesn't remember I get a large bold every time. But he seems to be a hard worker and is quite good-natured. And it really isn't all about me.
When I got home this evening I went to the computer right away before I had the chance to procrastinate. For me, procrastination is the single most lethal weapon against plans to be kind. On the survey I sang the praises of the employees and said that this particular coffee shop was, without a doubt, my favorite.
It is hard to imagine that this message will get passed along and the staff rewarded in someway, but for the price of a little effort and a fight to ward off procrastination maybe, just maybe it will.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)