November 30, 2015

Kind Acts Are All Around Us

It's oft been said that "no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."  (Just who did say that I wonder?).   So often don't we get distracted with our own agendas and lives and forget to take a look around us.  And though many will bemoan the fact that these are dark times we're living in, there really is a lot of good going on. So don't blink, you might just miss it!

I pondered that notion recently after witnessing a rash of good-deed-doing and think it's as good a time as any to share some of those actions with you.

The other day my mother dialed my cell phone and got, as is usually the case, my voice mail. (Her timing isn't always that great). She proceeded to leave a lovely birthday message on my phone in hopes that I'd hear it later when I was available.  Minutes later her own phone rang with a stranger on the other end of the line.  

"I just received your message," the caller said, "and I wanted you to know that you dialed the wrong number.  "I have a daughter of my own and I knew how important that phone call was," she continued.  This unknown phone call recipient and my mother proceeded to converse for several minutes, exchanging friendly small talk.  They ended the conversation as long distant, anonymous friends.

Later that day the folks went out for a fill up at the gas station.  As they were driving down the busy four lane road on their way home, a fellow drove up on their side frantically gesturing toward the back of their vehicle.  Turns out they forgot to put the gas cap back on the fill pipe and the flap was blowing in the breeze.  That certainly was a nice, yet unnecessary gesture on the motorists part, I thought. (And it beats other sorts of gestures some motorists are apt to make).

I attended a concert event the other night.  It had sold out weeks before so you can imagine the throngs of people there were waiting to enter the auditorium and be seated.  While standing in the lobby, a gentleman next to me said that he'd picked up a stray glove in the parking lot.  "I'll just put it over there on the table, and someone will come looking for it," he said.  I recall smiling warmly and telling him that it was very thoughtful of him to do that.  Later that night, my friend discovered he was missing one of his own gloves.  Could it be, might it be, I wondered, that very same glove that had been rescued by the thoughtful stranger?  Indeed it was!  

Yet again at another crowded event, I was touched by a kind soul who said, "After you," and courteously offered me to go ahead of him.  

And then there are  those thoughtful drivers who yield to others despite the fact that we're all in one big rush to get somewhere. Allowing another driver to ease into traffic in a merging situation shows constraint and good manners.

With the first major snow dumping on us recently, once again I experienced a heartwarming "do-good" from the kind soul who regular-as-clockwork clears the sidewalks and driveway at my house.  Seems no matter how I plan, he always beats me to the task.  How does one express gratitude for such kindness?  I can only attempt it.

Finally, let's not overlook the folks whose job it is to help and protect us every day.  It's a thankless job that our law enforcement officers perform but I'm here to say that it is more than appreciated.  A few weeks ago I arrived home from work and discovered a wild animal  on the back porch. It was clearly rabid and safety concerns led me to contact the local police department.  It wasn't long before an officer showed up and assisted me in taking care of the situation.  I thanked the young officer but I don't know if he understood fully the gratitude that I was feeling.  

Saying "thanks" just doesn't seem enough in some situations.  Yet it warms my heart to discover that there are so many wonderful acts of kindness going on all over, both big and not so big.  Take a look for yourself and you will surely discover some for yourself.

And while you're at it, consider the Boy Scout creed that says: "Do a good turn daily and help when you are needed."

By the way, the incomparable Aesop penned the thoughtful phrase, "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."  Such wise, timeless words.