Someone You Could Lend a Hand in Return For Grace
Random acts of kindness.
How many times have we seen this phrase and thought nothing of it? More importantly, how often have we done nothing about it?
I'll admit, I have been accused of being a bleeding heart. I'm very sensitive, and I can feel empathy for many things. Usually, though, it's a good game that I talk and not much action do I take. Oh, I'm not saying I don't give to charity. Hubby and I generously support a "feed the hungry" charity sponsored by Catholic Charities, and occasionally I go above and beyond my usual giving.
But when it comes to giving of time, I'm rather stingy.
It's been years since I served at a soup kitchen. And I haven't lifted a finger at a food bank or the like ever.
I just don't give of myself. The most I do is volunteer at my kids' school, photocopying for teachers or helping the underachieving student to read better.
I'm not trying to negate that, but sometimes I feel as if I don't give of myself enough. I'm not willing to put myself out there for the sake of others.
This week, a 61-year-old man here in town decided to help a motorist stranded on the side of the road. His reward? He was struck and killed during a six-car pile up. The driver whose affliction started this mess? Drove away without looking back.
So, what's the point of all this rambling? Yesterday, I was the recipient of a random act of kindness. I won't mention who or what (so as not to embarrass this kind soul), but I will say it was thoroughly unexpected and absolutely, 100% appreciated. Thank you, kind friend, thank you, thank you, thank you.
It doesn't take much to spread a bit of kindness. And like the small stone thrown into a pond, think of the ripple effect a small, random act of kindness could produce.
I know it's on my mind now. Let's see if I can move it from my heart to my hands.
28 who succumbed to the siren's call:
You know, it seems that alot of mothers have guilt for not giving of themselves to others more. I'm thinking you are the specialists in it! You have committed your whole life to reaching out and caring for others. So don't be too hard on yourself. As Mother Teresa used to say, "It's not about doing big things; it's about doing little things with big love."
I don't give of my time enough either. Volunteering at school isn't enough.
It always makes me sad to hear about someone who got hurt while trying to help others.
My dad stopped to help a VERY LARGE woman (350+pounds) who had a flat tire. What did he get out of it? She bent over and wasn't wearing any underwear!!!
Dreaming What Ifs...
i am guilty as well. i give money but not my time. and lord knows i have lots of time... no excuse either!
smiles, bee
I heard about that poor man who was killed trying to help that motorist and then for that person to take off afterwards...I'm sure they were frightened, afraid they'd be blamed somehow, but sheesh.
I'm so glad someone did something nice for you!
We all should probably do much more and we all probably have the time to do it. Love the new layout and all and as Kat said down below it loads much faster. Cheers Baby!!
Very well said, DS! :)
I'm glad you were the recipient of a random act. Now, you can pay it forward some day. ;)
Random = lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern.
The act isn't random if you contemplate it before hand. The act is simply kind, and behaving kindly is never wrong. And I don't think one should ever feel guilty because they haven't been kind enough.
What is kind enough?
The random kindnesses are the ones that you don't even remember doing. Sure, there's big stuff that you can point to like changing someone's flat tire or working in a soup kitchen or giving money to charity. But I don't think those are random acts of kindness.
They are kind things that some of us do because we feel strongly that they are good things to do.
How kind is kind enough?
I think of a random act of kindness as picking up a stray bit of trash and putting it in your pocket until you find a waste basket. Or reaching a heavy box of kitty litter off the top shelf as you pass by someone in a busy grocery store.
How many people passed by the trash before you picked it up? How many people didn't see the small woman who couldn't reach the top shelf before you paused to get it down for her?
Just a random act, and so very kind.
Wow what a terrible accident I hope someone seen the drivers license plate that drove away. Thanks for stopping by Songbird please stop by any time! :D
I like your new look!
I'm glad someone was so kind to you :)
Volunteering at school counts as kindness too. A lot of parents don't even do that.
Love the new design. A lot cleaner.
I thought you were talking about me! ;-)
Seriously, I think everyone should make it a point to give kindness everyday. Our world would be a better place.
http://sandierpastures.com
http://theparentingdiaries.com
Guilt is the enemy's primary tool for keeping us uneasy. As others have said, don't sell yourself sort for all the things you do whether you feel their sugnifigant or not.
Awesome words from Travis too.
Doesn't Travis always have a way with words?
Love the new layout.
Steven: I think mothers as a group are pretty self-sacrificing; it comes very naturally from the time a baby is conceived. I'm not saying all mothers are this way, but most of the women I know who are mothers are like this. I try not to give too much of myself to the detriment of my health and well being.
Karmyn: You have a perfect excuse for not giving too much of yourself. You're doing something very, very important right now; don't forget that growing a human being is no easy task. So sorry to hear about your father's "unfortunate" encounter...ewww....
Miss Bee: So many of us don't have excuses. The question is, what do we do now that we know about it?
Fresh Girl: It was a very nice surprise from someone totally unexpected.
Matt: Very true, my friend. And thanks.
Tisha: I intend to pay it forward. Many times over, in fact!
Travis: You make some extremely valid points, my friend. Sometimes the smallest of acts (at least, small to the doer) has the biggest impact on the recipient. Who am I to determine the relationship between size and magnitude?
Jeff: True. All too often people are immobilized by guilt. Trav does indeed make wonderful with the words.
Dixie: Yes, Travis is a word master. That's why we love him, right? Thanks - I'm into clean and unfussy.
I hate to say something nice about a TV commercial, but it's like that one where someone sees someone do something nice,and so does something nice themselves, and someone sees them, etc. It's contagious.
And I have a very hard time believing you don't do a million small kind things, you probably just do it without thinking and don't realize it. :)
you mentioned STONES because of me..didn't you?
that is sick and twisted, I tell you
=]
It's hard to get started because most of us feel so overloaded as is, but I have to tell you, my volunteer time feels more like something I do for me than a chore. I work on our auction committee at the office during the worst time of year for me and it is the one thing I truly look forward to during this time.
Kidlet and I are looking forward to volunteering a couple days this summer in New Orleans with the 9th Ward projects. Enough so that we have scheduled our vacation around it. Trust me, once you start you get hooked. But then again if I had my way I would run away and join the peacecore ;)
Dang it! There were some comments sitting in my moderation file waiting to be approved, but I never received them in e-mail! Rats - didn't mean to skip you guys!
Roger: Thanks for stopping by. I've seen you over at lots of other places I visit. Yeah, I'm hoping that driver steps up and does the right thing. The news reported that he won't be prosecuted, but he's probably still scared.
Kila: Thanks! Yes, the kindness was unexpected and very appreciated.
Daddy Forever: I know; my kids' teachers and the teachers I help are very appreciated. Sometimes I think I do it because it's easy for me and not really a sacrifice. Thanks compliments - I like clean and not fussy.
Sandier Pastures/Grace: Welcome! No, I wasn't talking about you; I don't know you that well! Besides, I think your daughter is still young enough to take everything out of you. That and living in a new place can be confusing, right?
Sadie: I DID think of that commercial when I was writing this. I know it's for a dumb insurance company, but the ad certainly has people thinking, doesn't it? And thanks for the kudos; I'd like to think I'm not unkind. I hope I do practice kindness in one form or another.
Bond: No, Vinny, I wasn't targeting you specifically (grin), but since it's on your mind, I'm sure you'll be seeing STONES everywhere.
Starrlight: There have been times my volunteer opportunities were more fun for me than I thought they should be. I suppose we should lend ourselves to things that really are meaningful to us personally, in one way or another. I have friends who volunteer with homeless mothers and in our parish food bank. Neither of these ministries call out to me, which is okay. Not everyone is suited for every charity. I do my part as I can now; I would like to think that some day I'll find my niche again.
You just have to decide to do it sugar. It's pretty neat when you get started.
Ooooh...that story made me kinda sad.
I give thru service a lot, and it does feel very good. It takes a lot out of me, but it does my heart good.
Your VOICE is a HUGE gift to others! Whether you sing or use it to stand up for what is right!
Occasionally a circumstance will present itself - and I don't respond. Then the little voice in my head just pulls hard at my ear the rest of the day.
OH no you have done it this is war... grabs a pebble (stone?) ...hell nevermind...I hates fighting
Exactly! Find the niche and have at it. That is what I did.
yes you can...and once you start you ever wonder why you didn't before.
Let us know how it goes.
I could have written this...makes me sad.
Turnbaby: I know, it's the first steps that count. But as Tiggerlane mentions in her post below, I think my action may come through my voice.
Tiggerlane: You make a very valid point. I know that my voice is my strength, and I'll find a way to use it somehow. I used to sing at funerals, and so many people of the deceased say they found comfort in that. Perhaps I'll find a way to use my voice (singing or spoken) again).
Pamela: So true. I've had my ear (and heart) tugged on more than one occasion.
Bond: Good! I'm not a fighter either. I'd rather...well, you know (grins)...
Starrlight: I'll find it, I'll find it!
Julie: When the time is right, it will come.
Gracie: You're the second person who said this made them sad. I didn't mean this an indictment on the general population. But take comfort in Trav's words - it is the smallest gestures that, at times, have the biggest impact.
Very thought-provoking.
You make good points.
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