Phrases like: "smile, it doesn't cost you nothing and might do someone's day", "treat others like the way you would like to be treated" and "the best things in life are for free" have been hovering around me lately. And then kindness came to mind this morning.
It got me thinking: what would an act of kindness consist in?
Of course everything is relative in life - what I consider kind might seem stupid to someone else. And something that wasn't intended as such might come across as rude to the receiving party.
But in general heart-felt, genuine kindness, shows.
One little thing I do is I let somebody go ahead of me at the bus queue. Only one person, mind you, so the people behind me don't start giving out to me. Think about it: what is the point of starting an argument? "I was here first", "the real queue is THIS way", etc.? The bus is not leaving until we are all on board, anyway. Same applies to planes, by the way.
And in my experience, everybody seems happier after such small little gesture.
So, what is your favourite small random act of kindness?
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If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy this other one too: kindness = happinness (post in Spanish, though).
Hmm, speak for yourself! I am not any happier if I end up standing and not getting a seat for a half hour bus journey (not so much here in Lanzarote, but back in London that would have 99% of the time been the case).
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, smiling, helping somebody out just to carry some shopping if you see them struggling or helping someone needy across the road - that never hurts, and you are usually rewarded with a thank you and a nice smile back! :)
Oh, as for my favourite random act of kindness, I´m not sure, cause it wouldn´t be random otherwise, but coming from another person... for me, it´s as simple as a smile where I didn´t expect one.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Barbarella, as suggested, the circumstances and personal point of view will make the very same act kind or senseless, even stupid.
ReplyDeleteSmiling, another one of my favourites. :-)