I run a network where bloggers can get help and feedback for improving their blogs. Because of it, I face challenges and unpleasant moments every week, but I also get to see the goodness within people occasionally surface. For example, I recently watched a chat conversation unfold where a new blogger was asking for help with a technical issue, and a more experienced blogger offered ideas and suggestions that wound up solving the problem altogether. The experienced blogger didn’t have to take the time to carefully type out and explain her thoughts. It didn’t appear to benefit her in any way. But I’ve come to realize that those seemingly non-beneficial moments have greater perks than we may realize.
My own hope in others, and humanity in general, is always strengthened when I witness or receive acts of service. Whether it’s people holding doors open for one another, strangers stopping to help pick up the contents from a broken bag of groceries, coworkers helping to re-stack a pile of dropped papers, or anyone simply removing a stray piece of hair from someone else’s clothing, it always brings a smile to my face.
What’s more amazing is the sudden change in mood or attitude that it can offer. Each person who receives help is usually appreciative and grateful for it. However, that’s not nearly as wonderful as what it does for the person offering such kind acts of service. Additionally, it benefits everyone else around who witnesses it. A single kind action can uplift multiple people whose attitudes may then uplift others later. It can begin a domino effect that can last for an entire day, or week, or longer. And sometimes, it might just come back around to affect you when you need it.
When was the last time you did something kind for someone else, even if it inconvenienced you a little bit?
I challenge you to take a moment today and tomorrow to slow down, notice others around you, and then find a way to do something kind for one or more of them. It can be small and simple. It can be grand or big. Whatever it is, do it with a smile, and you might be surprised at how your day (and the days of others) could improve.
Janae,
You are so right that just a little thing can make a huge difference. Your post brought to mind an experience that I had just yesterday with my 17 year old son. For the past month I have been trying to be better at not getting so angry at my kids and treating them more respectfully. (hoping that they might learn from my “good” example!) He was at school and I had taken him some lunch. He text me and rudely told me not to bother, that lunch was not going to fix his rotten life. Rather than get upset I sent him a message that I was sorry he was having a bad day and I couldn’t wait for him to get done so he could come home. I received 4 more “negative” messages from him and each time I replied with how much I loved him and tried to keep it positive.
When I went to pick him up I took him his now cold lunch. He looked at me oddly and I told him I knew he would be hungry and that I had been sitting outside the school with his “Hot” lunch when he told me he didn’t want it. He was slightly embarrassed to realize that he was so caught up in “his” bad day that he totally had missed that I had his lunch outside.
He was so kind to our family last night and so grateful to just be home with us. It made it all worth it! It truly is the little things!
What a great story, Janilyn! Thanks for sharing. I’m sure your son will remember it for the rest of his life, and you did set a great example of kindness and service.