Random Acts of Kindness
Posted: Friday, October 05, 2007
by Dianne Lehmann
Artisan Jewelry from SyZyGy
Off and on there will be a great deal of talk about random acts of kindness. I think that too much attention is given to grandiose actions. What really matters, in my opinion, are the many small kind actions that we can perform on a daily basis.
Why does a self-serving billionaire have to give a young boy a check for $25,000.00 on a national television show to get our attention? Shouldn't we all pay more attention to the little things we can do each day to make our lives and the lives of others better?
I realize that much of the indifference is due to there being too many people and too many stimuli in our daily lives. The prospect of sensory overload is a real issue. But a little more connectedness with the world and all who inhabit it can go a long way toward healing the spirit. It can improve your life and how you feel about yourself. Dont be ashamed to pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself for giving up your place in line.
Try holding a door for someone. Look a stranger in the eyes and smile. Give someone a cheerful hello and a wave as you pass on the sidewalk. Believe it or not, these are all acts of kindness. The Golden Rule has been much talked about for a very long time. To me it is still valid: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Some day when you are feeling really down and a stranger looks you in the eyes and smiles, and suddenly you feel a little better, you will be glad that you, too, have shown others this kindness.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)You know Dianne, when I was a teenager, an friend of mind who was quite older and wiser than me told me everything a person does he or she does for themselves. I found it hard to see the truth in his statement back then. But sometime ago I was standing in line at the grocery store when an elderly lady in front of me was cashing up at the counter as she was leaving she dropped two $20.00 dollar bills on the floor then proceeded to leave. Without hesitation I picked up the two bills and ran to catch her before she left the store. I taped on her shoulder and said mam you dropped this money when you left. She said OH THANK YOU VERY MUCH. This was at the beginning of a month so it was most likely her social security money she dropped just after cashing her check. Of course this money was vital to this lady and I know it pleased her a great deal to get it back. However if I would have picked those bills and shoved them in my pocket my conscience would have bothered me a great deal. So my friend was right what I did I actually did for myself it left me with a clear conscience and a good feeling knowing I done the right thing. "good article"You are right. And the world could use more people like you. Even if we do what we do out of selfish motives, if good comes of it, then I say "let's all be selfish". While it is important to take care of ourselves, it's still nice to give a little thought to others now and then. Thank you for your comments.
Dianne, your doing Gods work, keep it up! There is light all over this world and those little acts of kindness bring that light into many a dark place. Best wishes RTMThank you. And my motives *are* selfish. I would really enjoy a kinder world. I work toward that every day.
A good reminder, Diane and well put! Kindness should not be all about "image" kindness should be quiet and genuine. Good job!Thank you for reading my article. Hopefully it will get people thinking.
This is so true, Dianne. We all should do much more for each other. A smile may save a life. Marty RicKardThank you, Marty. I never really thought about it quite that way, but you are right, a smile might just save a life. Thanks also for joining my fan club.
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