Friday, September 26, 2008

How Simple Was That?

I have issues...with mean/inconsiderate/rude/crass,(people) you get my meaning. They butt in line at the store not giving a care to anyone else around. They block an intersection in the street making it impossible for traffic to flow in or out of some specified place. And what about letting people in traffic. Would that kill somebody?

Let me set up why I am spewing my thoughts.

I was on my way to fetch( I love that word) my son from work. And traffic coming from both sides of the street were constant. I looked left...traffic. I looked right...traffic. Finally a break came in one direction, and a truck had stopped to enter the street I was exiting. He sat, holding up traffic(which was minimal) so that me and the vehicle behind me could enter the road. I waved to him, that lovely traffic thank you wave. And as I put the pedal to the medal I was giddy like a school girl. And what, over a nice person in traffic. You bet your sweet bippy I was.

And tell me why a grown woman was happy about someone being nice? Does that mean it is a rare incident? I think so and that is a shame. It is deplorable when we look upon an act of kindness as something to get exhilarated by. I explain to my children all the time thee importance of kindness. And you cannot expect kindness to be bestowed to you if you are not giving it out. It is called the Law of Attraction.

I have always been a positive person, and my husband was always the skeptic. I am not saying he was a rude person, but his nice foot was not always forward, where mine was. The world owed him something, but this was all he saw growing up, so I cannot blame his 100%.

I love being kind, and it does not have to entail moving your buddy out of his 3 bedroom 2 bath house. We are not asking for a pint of blood. It is much simpler than that.

Get your neighbors garbage can lid that is blowing down the street. Help the short person grab something from the top shelf at the grocery store(I can relate to this one). Set the coffee pot for your husband who rises at 5AM when you get up only an hour behind him. Take your kids books back to the library...they did take out the garbage without being asked.

To me, kindness begets kindness. You tell two friends and they tell two friends, and so on and so on and so on. Kindness is catchy. It feels god, and it is a win win situation. Everyone involved feels grand. So what do you say. What act of kindness can you do today tomorrow and all the tomorrows after that?

6 comments:

Paula Vince said...

Yeah, great thoughts!
A simple act of kindness really does make your day. I think you're right, we see it so infrequently, a little thing becomes HUGE to the recipient. Once a lady waved us over to her parking meter because there was still some money in it, and I always remembered that town as a friendly town.
Blessings,
Paula

Bill Cooney said...

This is a really great post! It brings to mind something that I try to do on a regular basis on this one road nearby. It is a narrow road, but there are many businesses along its path. Whenever I am driving down this road, I am always on the lookout for a car coming from the opposing direction who needs to make a turn. If I'm not driving fast in the first place, slowing down enough to allow the opposing car or truck to make their turn is not that hard to accomplish.

This road is approximately three miles long, and everytime I drive down it I let at least one or two cars make their turns. Most of them are so surprised - and grateful - when I do this, always waiving and giving me a smile, because usually they have to wait an interminable amout of time to get to make their turn.

It kinda makes my day to do this little gesture of kindness whenever I go down this road.

Oh, and being tall, I'm forever grabbing things from the top shelves for little old ladies at the grocery store. It's cool because it lifts everybody's spirit a little.

Really enjoyed this.

Bill Cooney said...

BTW - I did as you asked and checked out Trees Are For Hugging and I think I was taken it by my first impressions.

One thing did make it a little difficult to really get lost in her words, and that is the color scheme of the post area - very difficult on the eyes.

I will definitely get back there very soon and take a closer look. At first glance, she sure has some appeal.

B.Sunshine said...

i know how you feel, compared to my fiance, im the kind one. i love being positive and what not. But my fiance is always so skeptical about everyone and everything....

mmm!
an act of kindness wont kill anyone.

Freakmom said...

So many people are just so angry all the time. Sometimes it really confuses them when you do a small act of kindness for them. That's fun.

Hey, do you use vinegar in your laundry? Can you post sometime about how much you use and when it gets added. I want to freshen ours up. Thanks!

Cheryl Ann said...

This class of third graders is the most ill-mannered I've ever had! I had a boy say to me, "You ssshhhhhhhh!" when I said "sssshhhhhh" to him politely! He got a referral. I have a girl who, when I tell her to get to work and stop talking to her friends, says, "Tsk" and rolls her eyes and walks away! They definitely need some "manners lessons". Unfortunately, I don't have time to squeeze this in because I'm on a pacing schedule.