I have started to notice lately how often people pass up opportunities to be kind to those around them. It’s not necessarily that I observe intentional “unkindess” – people aren’t trying to be rude or selfish or inconsiderate (at least I don’t think they are) – but they aren’t trying to be kind either. People don’t often hold doors for complete strangers who are attempting to use the same door at the same time, cars don’t wait for pedestrians patiently, people litter freely (and walk past trash on the ground without even seeming to notice it), people rarely say “Thank You” or “Have a Nice Day” anymore, etc. And like anything else, now that I’ve noticed it, I notice it more every day.
So it got me thinking – what can I do to encourage social kindness? I’m not anybody important – outside of my own little world, anyway. I don’t have a “media voice” like Oprah, or Ellen, or Katie Couric, or Dr. Phil. When these people want to draw attention to an issue, they have a national media outlet at their disposal. But I’m not famous, so why would anyone listen to me? I considered the possibility of approaching the “offenders” and pointing out their missed opportunity. While it might be effective for some people, it would probably just get me beat down or killed in today’s world (yet another sad statement on society, but that’s another topic for another day).
After much consideration, I decided that the best way to try to make a difference was to live by example. I’ve decided that I’m going to spend one year looking for ways to be kind to others at least once every day. And then, I’m going to write about it – here. I want to explore ways to be kind to others now that I am looking for them, and how those acts of kindness make me feel and what I learn from them.
Notice that earlier I said “live by example” and not “lead by example” – this effort is not about broadcasting to the world “Look how wonderfully selfless and kind I am. Come follow in my footsteps and you, too, can be better than the rest of the rude, selfish masses.” This is simply about trying to put into words how being kind makes me feel as the instigator and how it impacts me and my life. MAYBE someone else will read this blog (other than my husband and my mother who are obligated by association). MAYBE someone else will learn from what I learn. MAYBE someone else will be inspired to find ways to be kind in their own life. MAYBE someone else will choose kindness just once. The worst that could happen is that I spend a year trying to be a kinder person, I keep an online documentation of my experiences, feelings and lessons, and the only person that benefits from it is me. That’s not so bad, really. The BEST thing that could happen is that some other people stumble upon this blog and realize that if I can do it, they can choose to be kind too.
So it starts today. I will be counting down the days and tallying up the kindness and I’ll see what happens over the course of the next year. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you about what I did kind today – and I’ll tell you about the event I witnessed that sort of pushed me over the edge and set me on this course. Feel free to post your comments about what you read here – good or bad. I would just like to know if anyone else is benefiting from what I am learning – it’s all about sharing the knowledge.
You, young lady, make a difference in my life and I am dazzled that you have taken this step. I’ve had a couple of friends on my case about starting to blog and I’ve not had the gumption to take that step.
As a dear friend says “good on ya”!