“The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, story tellers and lovers of every kind, It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. And these qualities have little to do with the success as we have defined it. ~David W. Orr
Ever done something nice for someone? Performed a random act of kindness of some sort for someone? The reactions I am finding are so very different. Truthfully, some are really surprising and shocked, but, not in a good way. While others are full of gratitude. It has been a very interesting experience for sure.
Studies have shown that kindness affects both the user and the receiver and leaves a lasting impression on both.
The other day I was at a coffee shop outside the Grand Canyon National Park. The 30 something young man was in line ahead of me. I was not paying attention, to the dialogue with the barista, then I realized there seemed to be something wrong with his credit card. He had words with the barista of some kind and I determined he would be right back with either cash or another credit card.
It was my turn, I placed my order, handed the barista my card and said I would pay for the young man’s order. He looked at me, and remarked,….”are you sure? it is $19.”
My response was priceless….”Hmm, perhaps your right, maybe I should only pay $5 of his order.” Seriously, I do appreciate him asking, however, when you say you are going to do something, do you do it half way or just partially? NO. “I appreciate you asking, I said I would pay for his order and that is what I am going to do!” I could not even imagine back peddling and saying…….i would only pay a portion. Ever notice how when we say we will do something nice for someone and the person then diminishes the gesture with a “are you sure?” Of course I am sure or I would not have offered!
The young man returned shortly after I paid his bill. For me, it is important, to have no attention brought t0 my kind act. I prefer to complete the kindness transaction and
quickly move on. For me, I do it to put a smile on my face and in my heart, knowing I was able to do something nice for someone else. Hopefully, the act of kindness put a smile on that persons face as well. It is a scientific fact that people who perform random acts of kindness live longer, joy better health, it slows down the aging process and improves connections and relationships. Psychologists believe we are all wired to detect anything that threatens our survival and happiness. We give our attention to acts of cruelty in society because it is perceived as a threat to our survival.
The young man came up to me and had a bewildered look on his face and asked me why i paid for his order. I responded with “Well, me paying your bill, certainly put a smile on my face and in my heart, how about you. He just stood there with a blank look on his face and again, the wonderment of another person paying the bill. it was actually very uncomfortable. At first, I thought, I may never do that again unless I can remain anonymous. Then with much thought, I realized, why am I relinquishing my joy in performing a random act of kindness like this just because it was uncomfortable. I think that is part of the lesson. Would you agree?
I would like to suggest we all incorporate the smallest of acts of kindness into our everyday life and notice the ripple effects.
It is not in our human nature to accept nice things to be done for us, ESPECIALLY from strangers. However, our DNA is sewn into the framework of our DNA. We are literally wired for kindness.~Shirene
“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”~Mark Twain