Hi Neighbor!
A while ago I was in a sandwich shop downtown. Through the window I saw a young man, unshaven with threadbare clothes, sitting alone at an outside table, not eating or drinking. On the spur of the moment, I decided to buy him the same sandwich I’d ordered and an iced tea.
Frankly I was uncomfortable engaging with a stranger. Would he respond angrily if I approached him? Overriding these concerns, I went outside and quickly placed the bag of food on his table without saying anything as I turned and walked quickly away.
I looked back at him from a distance, saw him peer into the bag, and he quickly caught my eye and shouted, “Did you get this for me?” I answered yes and he responded in a voice cracking with emotion, “You are so kind. Thank you for being so kind.” I walked away before I diminished the moment with an offhand remark like, “it’s only a sandwich” and before he saw me cry after hearing his kind response. I hadn’t thought of myself as kind. It just felt so deeply good to do something good.
Now I live in the suburbs and the opportunity for this specific type of experience doesn’t present itself although I know the need is there. I find that if I look for opportunities to be kind, they’re not so difficult to find no matter where I am. Maybe it’s holding a door, giving up a parking space, letting someone go in front of me at the grocery store. It’s interesting that people are so grateful for such simple gestures these days.
I’m frustrated I can’t resolve any of the macro level issues on the news or newsfeed. So I’m fighting back with kindness on a micro level. The media focuses on everything that’s going wrong, magnifying the most problematic issues on the planet. They repeat stories about politicians and citizens behaving badly, back-to-back natural horrors and tragedies, labeling them as dangerous, terrifying and catastrophic. Some situations undoubtedly are. But overall, this paints an acutely unbalanced view.
I’m bringing more kind actions of my own into the world, patience, tolerance, consideration, generosity. This may not make the news, which by the way, I’m limiting my exposure to. But I’m actively, consciously choosing kindness. That’s news I’m creating. It brightens my days and I hope it radiates out.
Love,
Jane
thank you for this….. no words can express my true gratefulness …. carry on
thank you for this….. no words can express my true gratefulness …. carry on
View lessThank you for your example of kindness. I hope it will remind others, as it did me, to look for opportunities to show compassion to a fellow human!
Thank you for your example of kindness. I hope it will remind others, as it did me, to look for opportunities to show compassion to a fellow human!
View lessLove this inspiration to do something kind for our neighbors who may need help. It would be great to have links to the Chester County Food Bank and TE Care, two fine local organizations who help our neighbors in need.
Love this inspiration to do something kind for our neighbors who may need help. It would be great to have links to the Chester County Food Bank and TE Care, two fine local organizations who help our neighbors in need.
View lessThis is absolutely fantastic. The world needs more kindness just like yours.
This is absolutely fantastic. The world needs more kindness just like yours.
View lessWhat a lovely story to wake up to. Thank you for the reminder of what is truly important.
What a lovely story to wake up to. Thank you for the reminder of what is truly important.
View lessThere may be opportunities even in the suburbs…
View moreI frequently drive past an aging house on my way home. The porch is over-stuffed with chairs for sitting, and once in a while there is an aging gentleman there. Periodically a second chair is occupied and a leisurely chat is underway. And there is ALWAYS the “dog”, a lifelike golden retriever statue who magically moves around the front yard when no
There may be opportunities even in the suburbs…
View lessI frequently drive past an aging house on my way home. The porch is over-stuffed with chairs for sitting, and once in a while there is an aging gentleman there. Periodically a second chair is occupied and a leisurely chat is underway. And there is ALWAYS the “dog”, a lifelike golden retriever statue who magically moves around the front yard when no one is around. The overall impression is a weathered but welcoming environment.
One day after a trip to the farmers market, I stopped and brought a couple of vegetables to the gentleman, introducing myself and thanking him for that whimsical dog. He invited me to sit a while, and we had a nice chat. Since that first time, I have shared things from my own garden, and I have genuinely appreciated a periodic front porch chat.
It isn’t easy to walk up to a stranger and share a sandwich (as you did) or even a few tomatoes. But it’s like the old saying “Strangers are friends you haven’t met.”
great story and reminder. I try in my very little way when encountering clerks in the supermarket, drugstore, post office , waitstaff etc. The first thing I try to do is say “hello , how are you today”. then complete my transactions. Sometimes we run our errands etc without really seeing the workers who are helping us .
great story and reminder. I try in my very little way when encountering clerks in the supermarket, drugstore, post office , waitstaff etc. The first thing I try to do is say “hello , how are you today”. then complete my transactions. Sometimes we run our errands etc without really seeing the workers who are helping us .
View less