Have you ever had a bad day turn around because of incredibly small, yet memorable, act of kindness? Maybe a stranger smiled at you in the grocery line, or opened a door for you, or let you go first after a stop sign. Or perhaps you heard from an old friend, calling you just because. A hug, a genuine question about your day, or simply the gift of listening -- all of these acts have power.
Rabbi Hillel* famously said,
In that spirit, I offer this request. All I want for my birthday (Oct 23) this year is to put a dose of kindness into the world. And I need your help. If we each do something small - or big - we can support each other to spread even more kindness.
There are loads of ideas here if you are looking for inspiration: https://andthenwesaved.com/random-acts-of-kindness-ideas/
And for anyone who is called to do something on a more monetary basis, here are a few options I offer to you:
1. You can give directly to people living in poverty, here: https://www.givedirectly.org/
2. You can look at charities recommended by this independent charity rating site, here: https://www.givewell.org/
3. You can give to your charity of choice - or the guy / gal who you pass by every day on the street.
In my own humanness, I sometimes forget how much this matters. Slowing down. Listening. Being there for other people. That's why I founded this blog, so we can share resources and inspire each other. Please comment - anonymously, of course, if you wish - to this post with your own acts of kindness.
Sending everyone a virtual hug!
* I found this quote while reading Martin Buber's "I and Thou," a book I highly recommend.
Rabbi Hillel* famously said,
"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?"There's so much that can be read into a quote like that, but let me offer this interpretation through the lens of kindness. Performing kindness (e.g. self-care) for yourself is a genuine form of kindness for the world. And likewise, acting in kindness for others is also a boon to one's own soul.
In that spirit, I offer this request. All I want for my birthday (Oct 23) this year is to put a dose of kindness into the world. And I need your help. If we each do something small - or big - we can support each other to spread even more kindness.
There are loads of ideas here if you are looking for inspiration: https://andthenwesaved.com/random-acts-of-kindness-ideas/
And for anyone who is called to do something on a more monetary basis, here are a few options I offer to you:
1. You can give directly to people living in poverty, here: https://www.givedirectly.org/
2. You can look at charities recommended by this independent charity rating site, here: https://www.givewell.org/
3. You can give to your charity of choice - or the guy / gal who you pass by every day on the street.
In my own humanness, I sometimes forget how much this matters. Slowing down. Listening. Being there for other people. That's why I founded this blog, so we can share resources and inspire each other. Please comment - anonymously, of course, if you wish - to this post with your own acts of kindness.
Sending everyone a virtual hug!
* I found this quote while reading Martin Buber's "I and Thou," a book I highly recommend.
Comments
Once I went to pick up pizza and I passed a homeless person sitting off by a building. I felt like I had so much (literally like an XXL pizza) so I turned my car around, got out of my car, and offered a slice of pizza to the person. He gladly accepted :)
Happy Birthday Em! May your year be filled with so much kindness. xoxo
also, keep food, money, tampons, maxi pads in my car (drive around for work all day). I hand these items out at any Chicago intersection where there are homeless folx asking for help.
He paused and smiled broadly for a minute and said, "You are the first person that questioned my response. Most Americans in my cab accept it and go back to what they were doing, usually in silence. I will tell you the truth if you really want to hear it."
After a few more minutes he got around to saying: "The truth is I am originally from Afghanistan. I served as an interpreter for your American army for many years. This country has in turn provided me with a home and a secure future for the rest of my life based on my service. I was on the front lines of the war in Afghanistan for many years. We saw many people die. It was very dangerous. My American Army brothers treated me like the most valuable possession they had, and in some ways, I was. They threw their own bodies on top of me when we faced bombs or gunfire, as they were ordered to do. They risked their lives for me everyday, as I did for them. They were my brothers." He began to cry. "I'm sorry..." he said. "I still have problems from that time... have you heard of PTSD? Well, I have that. Anyway... your country is the greatest country in the world. You kept your promise to me and now my family is safe. We have everything. Everything! May God bless this beautiful country."
There was little I could do but listen. It was all that I could offer him. When we got out of the cab, we hugged each other. He still had tears on his face. "My sister. My sister. Thank you for listening to me. Thank you. This ride is free. Go in peace." I tried to refuse but he insisted. I was almost too choked up to speak. In fact, I am tearing up as I am writing this post even now, four years later. We looked at each other one last time and waved goodbye. I smiled through my tears and mouthed "thank you" one more time. I pushed my sunglasses onto my face so that no one would see my wet eyes as I entered the lobby of the busy, shiny, hotel. As Mohammed pulled away from the curb, and I rolled my suitcase through the automatic glass doors, my head spinning and my heart bursting from what I had just experienced.
Mohammed and I gave each other incredibly small acts of kindness, but it was one of the most moving twenty minutes of my life. I hope this story inspires others to ask and listen to a brother or a sister today or any day. This is the stuff of life, these are exchanges we need to learn, to grow, to heal.
Sending tremendous and heartfelt gratitude to all those who serve others in a way I likely never will, and the price they pay for their service. -Ren
He worked on the farms of interned Japanese to keep them viable for them when they returned.
coming frim Central America.
And for a peaceful solution for this situation🙏
Thank you for reminding us of giving something