At the beginning of the year I started volunteering for Look Good Feel Better, a programme for people undergoing cancer treatment. I always come away from workshops feeling so inspired, these women are going through possibly the most difficult and challenging time of their lives and yet they walk in with a smile, are happy to chat, swap stories and have a laugh.
The last workshop I volunteered at, I was talking with a lady called Helen. I asked her how her morning had been and she told me it had been really lovely. Thinking that perhaps she’s been for breakfast at her favourite cafe or gone for a walk in the park, I asked her what she’d been up to. She told me that she’d had a nice chat with her taxi driver, and then someone in the hospital had helped her find the room the workshop was being held in. That was it. Nothing remarkable or out of the ordinary, but for Helen – those two small acts of kindness had made her morning ‘really lovely’.
It made me think that we never really know what people are going through. Sometimes small acts of kindness can make someones day, like taking time to have a chat or holding a door open. Complimenting someone. Something. Anything.
We are all so busy rushing around, closed off, reluctant to interact or even smile at each other.
Some time ago, I was struggling at a checkout with a wriggling toddler when my stroller fell to the floor and the contents of my bag spilled out. It was one of those moments that I just wanted to cry. In a queue of people who pretended not to notice what happened, an elderly lady behind me picked my stroller up and helped me collect the contents of my bag. I thanked her and moved towards the checkout thinking how lovely and helpful she had been. As she walked past me outside the shop, she insisted on giving me $2 for my daughter to have a ride on a Wiggles car. I was amazed by how kind she was.
I recently read this amazing post ‘11 Ways to Live More Mindfully‘ by The Simply Luxurious Life. The last point encourages us to notice a need and act. To be kind to each other.
From now on, I am going to try my best to be more mindful and kind every day.
A xxx
Are you involved with a charity?
Have you experienced a random act of kindness recently?
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What a beautiful post. Sometimes it is those tiny random acts of kindness that really make a difference x
I think so too – thanks for taking time to leave a lovely comment. x
My favourite post Amy! Unfortunately sometimes in today’s world, people get so caught up in their own lives that they fail to display the simplest qualities like kindest, loyalty and respect to those around them. Sometimes it only takes a small gesture to brighten someone else’s day. I recently emailed Jetstar to thank them for their excellent customer service when travelling with my very sick little lady… They responded straight away with absolute gratitude as they “very rarely receive positive feedback as people are always quick write negative comments” 🙂 Being kind is free and easy to give. Thanks Amy for such a great post on a very important topic!
Oh thank you so much! And your’e right, we’re all very quick to leave negative feedback, but slow to give good feedback. Good for you for taking the time to e-mail Jetstar for their great customer service. A x
Love this post Amy. My sister, who has gone through treatment for lymphoma (twice) has always said that we are here to be kind to eachother that is the greatest thing
we can do. x
Wow – your sister is a trooper! And she’s absolutely right. A x
Such a beautifully written post, Amy. I found myself nodding my head all the way through (with a little tear in my eye) – I’ve always believed this and share this philosophy. A little bit of kindness goes a long way. We need more of it. Sonia xx
Hi Amy. The story I led you too remained very private for a while. I certainly didn’t want to take credit or step into some kind of limelight for what we did. It wasn’t something that could be glorified. After all, this young lady was living to die. I’ve had people call me up asking for free frocks in return for some advertising, one particular was a beauty pageant contestant, who quite honestly wanted something for nothing. When I was asked to be involved in the story I sent you, it was the easiest yes I ever spoke. There are many people out there who do these acts of kindness for nothing. You hear of private donations from some who wish to remain anonymous when they give huge amounts of cash for good causes. Others only do them for the glory. Doing something for someone, an act of kindness, is the most selfless thing in the world. It not only makes the receiver happy, but the giver when done freely and without recognition.
Fabulous post, Amy. I hope your daughter enjoyed her ride with The Wiggles.
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing story with us, it’s truly incredible. A x
So very true & such timing considering my morning. I wish the librarian was more compassionate today when I lost my 21month old for what felt like an eternity (1 min) in the isles of the library. But instead, she returns him to me with a lecture about not watching him close enough. As if I wasn’t distressed enough, clearly visibly, without adding that to my concience 🙁
Ouch! People are sometimes not very understanding are they? It’s tough being a mum of a toddler, they are FAST and so curious about the world around them. I hope you are OK lovely. A xx
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