Today is the first day of Spring. Crocuses are one of my favorite flowers. To me they symbolize hope and perseverance. Loved-One and I often go on a crocus hunt this time of year. Nothing yet. These are from another Springtime.
My family began practicing Random Acts of Kindness way back when my kids were teens. Now they have teens. This year, I decided to make RAKs my focus. With a twist.
CoCo received a beautiful Act of Kindness this year. The train conductor on her short commute surprised her with a generous Christmas Gift. She smiled for weeks with wonderment and told everyone she knew about the conductor’s kindness. However, I initially responded with suspicion. After a bit of reflection, I remembered an observation I got from a friend.
You are a much better giver than a receiver. It takes some humbleness to receive without the intention of paying back.
My dear friend, Nancy S (circa, 1980)
So with that in mind, I am devoting 2022 to recognizing kindness given. This week I became aware of two beautiful acts of kindness. One to someone close to me; another to perfect strangers.
A kindness from the past
I’m purposely vague on this one because I want to respect the privacy of the giver and the receiver. That’s the way it was 25 years ago, and I’m sure they both want it to remain so. There’s nothing better than a secret act of kindness.
Twenty-five years ago, a college Student prepared for a trip abroad with his team. One of his Professors anonymously paid the fees associated with the trip. The Student never knew about the Professor’s generosity until he took his own Son to tour the university. The Professor fondly told the Son about the first day he met the Student, what an impression the Student made on the Professor, and how he sponsored him on the trip. Until that day, the Student never knew about the benevolence and faith the Professor had. Of course, the Son left with a new view of his father, the Student. And the Student, a teacher now himself, left with a profound humbleness of heart and a very tangible example of the importance of kindness.
A Gas Gift
Yikes! Gas prices are up close to $5 a gallon. While states debate gas tax holidays to help people out, a Chicago man took matters into his own hands. Willie Wilson gave away $200,000 worth of gas last Thursday. He plans to do it again before March ends.
Not everyone can give away $200,000. Still, think how nice it would be if everyone, who could, gives away just one tank of gas to someone who really needed the help. Many local outreach programs accept gas gift cards. That’s one way to help on a very local level.
The official Random Act of Kindness Day is February 17. But RAKing can go on all year long. Visit the Website here. “The work to create a kinder world never ends. There is no limit on the amount of goodness we can put into the world..”
Use the hashtags #MakeKindnessTheNorm #RAKday #RandomActsofKindnessDay. Most importantly, “In a world where you can be anything…Be kind.” (And be willing to receive the kindness offered.)
I’ll be watching through my rose-colored glasses for opportunities to give a RAK. And I’ll have my antennae up ready to recognize when I get a RAK or see one.