More Random Kindness
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the kindness of strangers (Peripheral Love) – and how it makes our lives better. Some were large and significant acts of kindness and some were just small and random, but even those little gestures matter.
Once I started thinking about these little kindnesses, I remembered so many more, and witnessed more happening around me every day.
Kindness is bombarding me.
Sometimes Kindness is help when I need it. Sometimes it is generosity. Sometimes the kindness is just making me smile. How lovely it is that total strangers can still make us smile.
Here are a few more, both remembered and recent:
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This summer while walking the dog, I came upon a trio of teenagers on skateboards. They got off their boards, and I sort of prepared myself to be harassed by these tough-looking boys. The biggest, scariest one (and teenagers can certainly be scary to older women) approached me and said, “Can we pet your dog?”
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There is a woman in Yoga whose soul is so kind, she sometimes seems to have a halo that surrounds her. Actually, what she has is the most beautiful, thick, curly, gleaming auburn hair. She doesn’t tie it back during practice, but lets it make a wonderful curtain around her as she holds her graceful poses. And she sometimes brings her baby and I can hear him laugh and coo during sirvasana – which is the best Yoga sound in the world.
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My friend’s husband: I know her well, but I hardly know him at all. But I know that sometimes he sends her flowers for no reason at all. So I love him for the best reason of all.
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The chocolate maker at the nearby dairy farm knows her cows so well, she will tell you by the smell of milk who gave it, and when you buy a chocolate, she’ll say, “That’s from Queenie.” How sweet it is to feel that your candy is a gift from a big good-natured bovine.
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Years ago, when I used to travel to New York frequently for business, I often had to take a big box of files and my laptop computer (which wasn’t small or light back in those days). I had one of the pull-carts to help me with my load. On the return trip, the train station in Fairfield has two flights of stairs to go over the tracks to get back to the parking lot. Once in a while, I struggled with my heavy and precariously balanced cart alone. But most of the time, a kind man – or woman – would pick up the bottom and we’d haul it up the stairs together. It was so easy – with help.
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Going back even more years, I was taking the bus home from college one day, and I slept past my stop. I had to grab the next bus back the other way. But I was totally broke. I went up to a man who looked nice, and explained my dilemma, and he gave me two dollars. I have never had to panhandle since. But a few years later (still in college, since I went to school just about forever) a homeless man at a bus stop in Waterbury asked me for five dollars. I only had six dollars myself, but I gave him five anyway, because… Karma.
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Just today, my husband and I were out to lunch at a restaurant we had never been to before. The online reviews said the place was ‘warm & friendly.’ As we were waiting for our food, a very old man came in and sat at a booth across from us. The waitress went over. She sat down across from him and said, “I hear you’ve been sick, Walter. Tell me all about it.” He briefly explained his illness, and the waitress said, “That’s horrible, Walter, I’m feeling for you.” And only then did she take his order.
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Then there’s my mother’s hairdresser. This woman never met my mother before she started working at the salon near my mom’s home. But if my mother calls for an appointment, this kind woman will get in her car and pick my mother up and bring her the two blocks to the salon. After, she’ll take my mother home. And she’ll say to Mom, “Don’t you bother your daughters. They’re so busy. Just call me anytime.”
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And my favorite smile – probably of all time. When I was in my early twenties (and going to college of course), I worked summers and holidays at the phone company. One gorgeous summer day, I went for a walk down Main Street on my lunch hour. As I waited to cross the street, a woman came up to me. She said, “I just have to tell you … as soon as I saw you… Thirty years ago I went to high school with a boy who looked exactly like you. Exactly.” Then she told me his name. My father.
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As I said, Kindness is bombarding me.
notquiteold 
It would be so wonderful if we all share kindness to one another. What a warm feeling of love towards all.😊
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People are kind to us every day. We just have to notice it.
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Great post and I love that quote from the Dalai Lama. 🙂
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You took the words right out of my mouth, wisewoodpidgeon
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My favorite too.
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These are all wonderful stories. I bet we all have stories like this if we stop and remember.
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That’s all it takes. We are bombarded with kindness, when we choose to see it.
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Those are wonderful stories. Maybe I should think of all those times people have been kind to me.
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It really helps in this trying times to remember all the small acts of kindness that we are blessed with.
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As with your previous kindness inspiring post, this has left me with warm fuzzies. So glad I have remained committed to spending more time reading (and writing) blogs rather than the news or watching Netflix. Life has taken on an entirely different hue as a result.
Thank you so much for being one of those voices of kindness and inspiration!
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Watching the news leaves me angry. Walking the dog leaves me happy.
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Nothing like being a good neighbor
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Ah….. good neighbors! I have a bunch of stories about my neighbors too!
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I love this post. I just love it.
We are surrounded by so much kindness but how often do we miss seeing it.
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Sometimes we are too preoccupied to even notice… we need to be aware of the simple goodness all around us.
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Reblogged this on ugiridharaprasad.
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Last week in UK we had Random Acts of Kindness Day and so many wonderful things happened, large and small. My favourite story was of a lady going to collect flowers for a wedding to be held in the Hospice, when the man in the shop behind her realise that the bride was terminally ill he paid for all the flowers for the ceremony. It’s time we heard more about the good people in the world rather than the small percentage of evil ones.
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What a nice story – and what a nice day for you Brits. We need to appreciate the good – and be a small center for good ourselves.
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What lovely stories. Random acts of kindness are everywhere. I used to love our local mechanic who would drive my husband home from the garage when he brought the car in to be serviced because it was too far for him to walk home or even come to our place and pick it up then drop it back later. That’s what I call service.
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There are kind people like your mechanic everywhere. We need to focus on them.
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What lovely stories! In our current national situation they feel like a breath of fresh air. Was that Theo the teens wanted to pet? He looks so petable in the photos!
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Yes, my Theo. He is exceedingly pettable.
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These simple acts of kindness are heartwarming and a wonderful way to start my Saturday. Thank you for sharing, Nancy. ❤ 🙂
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Thanks for your kind words!
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I am totally loving your kindness posts! What a wonderful idea to share them with your readers. My favorites today: the sweet kindness of your mother’s hairdresser, and the stranger who stopped to tell you that she went to school with…..your dad!
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I will never forget that woman. I do look just like my father, but to have a total stranger look at me and see my young father – well, it made me so happy that I unfortunately look like him!
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Reblogged this on Bobbi's Blog.
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Thanks for the re-blog
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Always worthwhile appreciating these small kindnesses I think.
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Lovely post, gives me hope that there is still kindness in the world and that we just have to be open to observing (and receiving) it x
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Yes, and in giving it too. Pay someone a compliment today…. you will both feel so good!
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Your post made me smile, so thank you for that. 🙂 I know what you mean about kindness being around you. The best act of kindness–and there have been many–that I’ve ever experienced is when my father was in the hospital four years ago.
The doctors had just told us that we ought to start preparing ourselves for the worst. I was at a point wherein I hated everyone and everything and I felt so absolutely alone. While riding a bus back to the hospital–a 10-minute ride at most–a young man offered me his seat.And it was a small gesture, sure. But its impact was enormous. It took one small act of kindness to give me strength and hope. It’s a good memory to relive, so thank you for your beautiful post.
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What a nice gesture. That boy did not know you needed a little kindness at that moment, but offered it anyway. Never forget that small act of kindness. It will comfort you on days when you have lost hope in the human race.
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What a lovely, positive blog. Thanks for sharing. I have just started a poetry blog here on WordPress in case you are interested in taking a look? Have a good day, Sam 🙂
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Thank you. Your poetry is really nice. I also write a poem on occasion… you can find the link on the tab at the top of my blog marked “But Seriously”.
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I will have a look and thanks for your positive feedback 🙂
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I really like the form of your poems and the way that each one is like a character study and captures the person (or animal) so well. Thanks for sharing!
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What a positive outlook and a heartwarming post thank-you
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I love your list of kindnesses. It’s so important to be aware of them, isn’t it? That’s why I started a weekly column on my blog called KINDNESS FRIDAYS, where I highlight a kindness every week. http://www.babyboomersandmore.com Let’s keep it up!
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Reblogged this on Living: the ultimate team sport and commented:
I love that Nancy has listed a long list of kindnesses generated toward her. This post will keep us all mindful of all that goes on around us – especially the good stuff.
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“Kindness is bombarding me.” What a great line!
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I love that you shared these kindnesses – they happen all around us. I try to pay them forward wherever I can.
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What a positive post…I brought tears in my eyes! Seriously, kindness is so underrated these days, but it’s so powerful and life altering.
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I know that Fairfield train station well! I remember those stairs and any help getting up and down them is indeed welcome…. and kind.
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Paying it forward is kindness in action. I always find that I’m inspired to be kind when others are kind to me. I noticed from some of your stories that patience is helpful when striving for kindness. I love the story of the waitress.
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I love your article. If everybody would practice random act of kindness everyday, this world will be a better place.
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I feel thrilled and practically encouraged by this post. Keep it up please
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It’s because of people like you I love WordPress. Simple stories like yours are better than movies. Everyday. Everywhere.
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Loved this post
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Just reading it make me smile
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