My kind act for today was to give a homeless person 1/2 a sandwich. Yesterday I posted that I would start at work but I didn’t got to work today because I had an appointment. What? You might be thinking; a day off for an appointment! Yup, the appointment was at noon and it’s an 1.25 hours from my home and 2.25 hours from my work. But I digress.
It felt good, but you know what, it wasn’t that big a deal. I ordered too much lunch, a rich creamy soup and a big sandwich, so I took the second half with me and then when I passed someone asking for money, I gave him the sandwich instead. I did ask him if he wanted it and he seemed happy. But it was too easy and convenient for me. I think I need to stretch myself a bit and come up with less obvious acts of kindness.
So, I’m looking for ideas. Ideas for acts for strangers, spouses, kids, friends and for myself. Let’s add to the first 155 ideas that Dionna listed at Code Name Mama.
OK, and just to maintain my cynical persona, I will need a few random acts of sarcasm to counter balance the kindness. Yin yang, ya know.
Giving a sandwich was a great act of kindness to the person receiving and to you for being easy. When you think about it not happening at all if it were difficult, then it matters even more. If everyone did one of these, it would change the world. But, just one person doing RAOK, changes the world too. I’m glad to find your blog through Code Name: Mama and checking out your posts as a fellow MOK.
You’re all right. It doesn’t matter if it was easy or not, if it makes someone feel good, then it is the right thing.
Today I compliment a colleague on her sweater.
I rarely buy coffee at Timmy’s (no Starbucks in the north Jen – gasp!) so I don’t have that opportunity much. But, I may go and buy donuts for the staff room tomorrow.
Also, and this should be a whole post, I’ve been trying to help a pregnant mama of triplets through navigating her prenatal care and preparing for life with triplets. That is my job as president of Temiskaming Multiple Births, but it’s also kind, and a big one, so, I’m going to pat myself on the back instead of beating myself up for not doing enough.
Jen. That’s me! I do that all the time. Pay for someone else’s coffee. Someone once did it for me…so now I do it all the time. I even wrote about it. I mean, someone else may have said it on twitter…but I am a HUGE fan of this.
oops i meant erin this will be a gift to you!
I agree with Jen- small things are the magic of life. I think I have posted about my friend who keeps a shovel in her car in the winter to dig people out- and she is one of the busiest people I know!
Sara- this exercise will be a gift to you no doubt!
Someone posted on twitter that they paid for the person’s coffee behind them in the line. Totally anonymous, no thanks required, simple act of kindness that would life someone’s spirits.
I also agree with Sara, sometimes something as simple as “I love your sweater” or “you look great today” or “thanks for the great service” are enough to turn someone’s day around. I know it works for me 🙂
dude – I don’t think you should rank the ‘easy’ kindness….sometimes the easiest kindness can make someones day. I got a passing compliment yesterday (this is pretty easy) and it FULLY made my day. I’m going to think about some!
It might have been easy, but you made him smile – I think it was a success! Thank you for committing to a month of kindness with me 🙂