Waterfall Along River Road – Photo: L. Weikel

Kindness

Never underestimate the power of kindness.

Especially right now.

There is so incredibly much static and discord in the air right now, it’s amazing that anything is getting accomplished by anyone. Of course, being a person who cares about politics and what’s going on in our country, I’m keenly aware of the fallout from the daily barrage of awfulness that seems to bubble out of the White House like the relentless onslaught of The Blob*.

But there are everyday worries and stresses that seem to hang like weights around people’s necks as we slide into home base that is the end of the year. Every year, most of us find ourselves thinking, “How did it get to be December again already?” And far too many people worry about how they’re going to make ends meet while trying to make these short, dark days a bit brighter for those around us.

Yet again, the power of kindness makes itself known.

Traffic Head

The past couple of days I’ve noticed how grim most people’s expressions are as they go about their day. This is especially obvious when you make a point to notice the people driving in cars all around us. The expressions on most people’s faces can be utterly dour. I call it ‘traffic head’ – in my head – because inevitably, they are caught up in their thoughts, crossing stuff of their mental lists, worrying about when they’ll fit in baking their cookies, or trying to decide the best place to put the Christmas tree this year so the cat doesn’t climb it.

I readily concede that I don’t ride around with a smile pasted on my face (which would be downright creepy, so I’d say that’s a plus). But I love catching someone’s eye as they’re driving toward or turning in front of me, or otherwise are close enough to be able to link up look-to-look, and breaking into a smile myself. I know; I’m odd. But if I can get them to smile back at me, I’ll admit it: my mood brightens palpably. It’s as if I’ve broken a spell.

 Beyond a Smile

And then there are the moments when we go beyond a smile and commit an active act of kindness.

Just as most people are unaware of the ‘resting bitch faces’ they’re exposing to the world, they’re also often oblivious to the opportunity to offer small kindnesses. For instance, I’ve seen people walk right in front of others in the grocery store, just cutting them off and not even saying a quick, “Excuse me!” (with a smile).

I’ve also stood in a grocery store line, packed to the max with my ‘up to 25 items’ carefully counted out (or even rounded down so I’ll ‘qualify’) and notice someone standing behind me with a bag of chips and an iced tea. I love offering to allow someone to go in front of me, especially when they least expect it.

A Personal Note

And then there’s the completely out-of-the-blue act of kindness that is so unexpected it keeps a smile on your fact throughout the day.

As you may have guessed, this is the situation I found myself in this morning and which prompted me to write this post.

Before heading off to my appointment, I was sitting with Karl having a quick cup of coffee and pulling cards for the day. While Karl was getting grounded and shuffling the cards, I checked my email on my phone. And that’s when I saw it – a note someone wrote to me about my blog.

This was a note from someone I’ve never met, who’s been reading my posts after stumbling onto my website. I was delighted and completely surprised.

Kindness

The fact that she took the time to actually sit down and compose an email to me was an exquisite gift of kindness. She could easily have just read my posts and moved on, not making a mark or a comment or any effort to reach out in any way. Or she could have “liked” my post or even made a brief observation about it wherever she saw it (on FB or Instagram, for instance).

But no, she went the extra mile and tracked down my email address and sent me an email. She told me a little bit about herself and expressed what she enjoys about my blog. And that – that kind attention to detail and appreciation for my dedication – put a smile on my face, a bounce in my step, and I am sure gave me an even brighter outlook with which I met with my client later that morning.

We May Never Know

And that’s what I mean about how we may never know how our acts of kindness may be the source of miracles for others.

I’m going to close this out by encouraging all of us to be aware of ourselves, our surroundings, and the creatures with whom we’re sharing space. Be it in a parking lot, a grocery line, or at a doctor’s office: see if you can coax a smile out of someone. Hold the door for someone. Let someone go in front of you in the grocery line. Offer a parking spot to someone who arrived at the one you want a few seconds later. (No. Wait. That may be taking it too far. I’d have to re-think that…)

Look for the beauty. Drop a note. Be the kindness. Never underestimate the power you have to break another out of their churning worries or lurking loneliness and help them see they’re not alone in the world. There are smiling faces. We are surrounded by kind-hearted people who want nothing from us but a momentary connection. A confirmation that we are seen.

*Fun fact I never realized until this moment: The Blob is set in the towns of Phoenixville and Downingtown, PA. I had no idea!

(T-724)