Diary of a Grown-Up Church Girl
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Kindness... pass it on

11/22/2016

2 Comments

 
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The following is a special guest post from Karen Gorbett...


 
As I’m sure we all know, kindness has been in short supply for quite some time. Sure, the “pay it forward” and “practice random acts of kindness” movements encourage us to be considerate of our fellow man and beast.
 
However, the kindness I’m referring to is small courtesies that we extend to others in our everyday lives, like…
 
·         When I’m in the grocery store heading down a narrow aisle and someone else is coming toward me….I smile and step aside to let that person pass.

·         When I’m at the grocery store in the checkout line with a cart full of groceries and notice the person behind me has 3 items in their arms…I let them go ahead.

·         When I’m in Costco and there’s a steady stream of people walking out of the dairy room, not allowing anyone else to enter…I step aside and smile at the ladies who were trying to get in. (This happened today at lunchtime.) They smiled back and said thank you.
 
(I’m noticing a grocery-food theme here. I really do hang out in places other than grocery stores.)
 
My experience has been that most people will just go on their way and not acknowledge a kindness or a courtesy. Of course I can’t tell whether they think they deserve special consideration when they ignore me. Or if they can’t be bothered to be civil.
 
Would I like to be acknowledged in these instances? I’d be lying if I said I didn’t.

Even a nod of the head would be welcome. A recognition that the kindness was received. That humanity is not lost in an abyss of “me first.”

 
People’s reactions to kindness are a puzzle to me. Do they not know how to accept kindness when it is offered? Or don’t they believe it when they see it? Or do they see it and not know how to react?
 
Sometimes the lack of acknowledgement or response bothers me. My inside voice says, “Really???” And then I remember that I want to treat people the way I want to be treated. And if they can’t/won’t respond, then at least I’ve done my part. And will continue to do so.
 
Kindness…pass it on!
 


2 Comments
Yvonne
11/23/2016 07:25:24 am

Kindness Rocks!
I read your post, first wanted to tear up because I thought it was about the holiday and the usual presumption people have about Everyone beingvin this festive mood...
But Alas,
There I am, as usual
Jumping the gun and not finshing reading your heart felt thoughts...
😍😏
Had to return those unspilled tears back to their source, sigh then humbly read to the end, now graciously reply...
You are so right!
A lot of folk wrapped in their own thoughts
Good or Bad
Quite often mad
Because their day went a way not pleasing
Or they just hate the last minute shopping...
Whatever, they don't make
Contact with the eye
They push pass even the toddler
Who just learned to say hi
to someone who is not mommy
I too give the calm friendly smile
I step aside for young and old
For takes nothing from me to have a
calm soul
With the love God has so lovingly sowed
Into me...
So I will, as long as I have breath
Praise Him through my acts of love
And kindness to those I encounter
On this life Road!

Reply
Gail
11/24/2016 08:14:13 am

Lovely, Yvonne. I always appreciate your responses, please keep them coming.

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