Kindness goes a long way. I’m so guilty of focusing on the
not-so-nice things people do. The things that make me bristle and wonder what’s
happening to humanity.
But only fourteen days into the New Year, I’ve experienced
three separate occasions where people have gone above and beyond to be nice.
And, man, do those people stand out!
At the beginning of this month, my older son went to a
Diamondbacks baseball camp (the Diamondbacks Youth Academy, to be precise). We
showed up to sign him in and get his t-shirt and cap. I had my younger son with
me—the one who has T18 and is in a wheelchair. One of the coaches made a point
to get him his very own t-shirt and cap, and then chat with him for a minute or
so. I was floored. I am not used to this type of kindness. (Unfortunately, his
disability usually draws a lot of curious—and even rude—stares).
Then, in the last two days, I was at two separate businesses
(Macy’s and Einstein’s). Both times, the very slightest of inconveniences
happened. I wasn’t even bothered. At all. I mean, they were so, so slight. But
the woman at Macy’s gave me a discount for my “inconvenience”, and the employee
at Einstein’s gave me a large macchiato over the medium I ordered.
And little ‘ole me—who is so used to so many people behaving
badly—doesn’t know what to do with this kindness. Of course, I thank them
sincerely. Sometimes, I gush. Then I walk away wishing them the most blessed of
days—and weeks. And the prominent thing that comes to mind is to pay it
forward. To do nice things for others so they feel all warm and fuzzy inside
like I do.
Have you had any random acts of kindness sprinkled on you?
If so, what were they? Did they make you smile? Set the tone for you day? Make
you want to pay it forward?
That was really nice of the coach to speak with your other son. It really doesn't take much to do something kind to someone. Even a kind word and just acknowledging them goes a long way.
ReplyDeleteI love random acts of kindness! I truly believe that they make the world go 'round. A little kindness goes such a long long way. And it's also wonderfully contagious!
ReplyDeleteAww, I love that the coach was so kind to your son. I bet he loved that t-shirt and cap. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's always amazing to me to learn that people can be so rude as to stare at someone who is disabled.
love this post susan---it makes me recall a day when we took the kids to the fair---upon seeing my daughter ashley---who too received a lot of unwelcome attention--but this time a fair worker came running over to her with a huge stuffed animal for her---made our day :)
ReplyDeleteIt's sooooo nice the coach made time for your son! It's also very nice the kindness continued . . . and will continue. . . I'm so burned out on rudeness and negativity and so on that the smallest act of kindness seems like the greatest gift that lights up my day.
ReplyDeleteI blogged about one random kindness a while back. It was raining. (Floridian, soak-you-to-the-bone in 1 minute flat, rain.) I was grocery shopping and praying the rain would let up before I finished, since I didn't have my umbrella. For once. Alas, when I got done, the sky was still dumping a lake. A young mother who had just stowed her two little children in her SUV came running and offered to escort me to my van. I was blown away. Nice people RULE.
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