On-board Kindness

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.”

~ Princess Diana

On a recent flight, I was seated on the aisle at the end of a three-seat row.  My row mates, a couple, were already seated.  As passengers continued boarding, another couple stopped at the row and said that they had those seats.  Apparently, the first couple had sat one row in front of their assigned seats.  They began to get up, but the other couple told them not to worry, that they would just sit in the row behind.

Kindness and Gentle Guidance

“No man or woman can be strong, gentle, pure, and good, without the world being better for it and without someone being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness.”

~ Philip Brooks

On a recent Sunday at church, I watched in awe as the regular acolyte – a middle-school student – gently guided a trio of 2nd- and 3rd-grade girls who did not have much experience serving.  With slight movements of his head and whispered directions, he led the girls through the various parts of the service.  Afterward, several parishioners complimented the girls on how well they did and I also overheard someone tell the regular acolyte what a nice job he had done training them.  How wonderful, I thought, to have someone guide you with such gentleness and kindness.  We would all welcome that – regardless of our ages or the challenges we face.

The Kindness of a Message

“If you want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out.  To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.”

~ Mother Teresa

During a recent sermon, our parish priest talked about how hard it can be to “walk the walk”  -- to be a good person.  But he was encouraging.  He talked about taking a small step and said to “just begin today.”  It occurred to me how effective and kind such a message is.

Parental Kindness

“The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance.”

~ Brian Tracy

A friend of mine celebrated a birthday recently and his parents came from out of town to be with him.  My friend is in his mid-50s, but no matter – birthdays are very special for his parents and they wanted to celebrate his special day.

Kindness and the Gift of Time

“At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal.  You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent.”

~ Barbara Bush

I was recently thinking about how precious the gift of time is.  And because time is so valuable, I am grateful to those who share their time with me – whether it’s the friend who lingers after a long lunch or the friends who join me for an impromptu dinner by the beach or the person whose advice I seek.  I am always amazed and humbled by this generous sharing.  And at least for me, when I think about the most special moments on any given day, they nearly always are the times shared with the people who are important in my life. 

Easy Kindness

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

~ Aesop

It really doesn’t take much to brighten my day.  On a recent gray and rainy morning, I was trying to make a left turn onto a street.  After several cars passed, a car stopped and flashed its headlights signaling to me that the driver was letting me in.  Such a simple thing…  I’m sure the driver did not give it a second thought, but it definitely raised my happiness factor.

Kindness that Brightens your Heart

“Share your smile with the world.  It’s a symbol of friendship and peace.”

~ Christie Brinkley

I was driving to an early morning appointment and running a few minutes late, which made me feel a bit frazzled. As I approached a corner to make a turn, I saw an older woman pushing a grocery cart.  I don’t know who smiled first, but we exchanged smiles.  And as I continued on my way, I realized that that brief interaction with a stranger had lifted my spirits.

The Kindness of a Gracious Co-worker

“If a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows he is a citizen of the world.”

~ Francis Bacon

Many of us receive so many emails in one day that it is easy to blink and miss one every now and again.  Recently, it took me longer than usual to respond to a colleague’s email.  And yet, when she replied, this colleague -- whom I don't know well -- was so gracious that she made me smile.  How kind is that?

The Kindness of Keeping Tabs

“I love being nurturing and caring because I love to see other people happy.”

~ Jennifer Hudson

Some of my friends seem to like to keep tabs on me.  They want to know what my children are doing.  They ask me to send them photos of what is going on in my life.  And when I’m traveling, they want me to let them know when I get home.  Their caring makes me happy.

The Kindness of Thoughtful Appreciation

“Those who have the ability to be grateful are the ones who have the ability to achieve greatness."

~ Steve Maraboli

A teenage friend of my children recently joined us for an out-of-town weekend.  At dinner on our last evening together, she surprised each member of our family with a gift especially chosen for that person.  We were all incredibly touched.

Kindness on a Sunny Day

“I know what it is like to be brought up with unconditional love.  In my life that came from my grandmother.”

~ Andre Leon Talley

On a recent very hot afternoon, we were at an outdoor concert.  I realized that I had forgotten my son’s sun hat in the car, which was parked at quite a distance from where we were.  Enter my mother.  In a generous grandmother gesture, she took off her visor and put it on my son.

The Kindness of an Effusive Greeting

“Send out a cheerful, positive greeting, and most of the time you will get back a cheerful, positive greeting.  It’s also true that if you send out a negative greeting, you will, in most cases, get back a negative greeting.”

~ Zig Ziglar

I was recently having lunch with a mom friend when we spied another mom we know at a table on the other side of the restaurant.  We kept looking over, but did not get her attention, so we decided to send her a text.  Just as I was pressing send, this mom saw us, got up from her table and came to say hello.  With her characteristic super-size smile, she greeted us, gave us kisses and hugs, and talked with us for a few minutes.  She is the kind of person whose enthusiastic greetings always leave you smiling.

The Kindness of a Surprise Flower Bouquet

“There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved: It is God’s finger on man’s shoulder.”

~ Charlie Morgan

A colleague recently shared that when his wife and their son go on their Trader Joe’s run, part of the adventure includes their son – who is four years old – choosing someone in the store to whom he gives flowers.  As the little boy and his mom walk through the store, he finds someone whose day he would like to brighten.  Then they buy the flowers and the little boy presents the surprised person with a bouquet.  

Kindness and Influence

“Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another.”

~ George Eliot

On a recent evening, as I drove home after picking up the pumpkin loaves that have become part of our regular diet, I thought about my lovely friend.  I always think of her when I pick up this treat as she is the one who introduced me to it.  She also introduced me to the line of products that makes the handwash and perfume I use.  And then, more importantly, there are the books she has brought into my life and the wise perspectives that she shares.  My lovely friend is not an in-your-face person – quite the opposite.  But her influence has a constant and deep impact on my life and I am grateful for it.

The Kindness of a Photo

“Every photo you take communicates something about a moment in time – a brief slice of time of where you were, who you were with, and what you were doing.”

~ Kevin Systrom

I love it when my friends send me photos from their travels -- it truly is the closest thing to being there.  On a recent morning, I was surprised to wake up to a photo via text from a friend traveling in Europe.  It was a photo of a tombstone with my family’s name on it.  My friend had been walking through a cemetery in a small town when she noticed our family name on the gravestone, and thought I might like to see it, too. I appreciated her not only thinking about me, but also sending a photo that she knew would be meaningful to me.

The Kindness of a Family Assist

“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.”

~ Albert Schweitzer

On a recent Sunday morning, a mom I know was a little slower than usual in getting ready for church and running late.  Her husband kindly took their children, so that they would arrive on time.  After her husband and children left, the mother realized that she was supposed to read in church that day. She called one of her children so that the priest could find someone else to read.  When she finally arrived at church, the mother found out that her 12-year-old had been asked to step in and read for her.

Kindness and Community

“The need for connection and community is primal, as fundamental as the need for air, water, and food.”

~ Dean Ornish

On a recent evening in a church hall, a group of nearly 20 got together for dinner and a game of Bunco.  The dinner was potluck and at least half the group had no clue how to play the game.  But play they did and this group of people ranging in age from 15 to more than 80 had a wonderful time. The gathering was thanks to one of the church members who encouraged her friends – young and old – to join in for an evening of fun and fellowship.

The Kindness of a Dinner Assist

“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”

~ Ronald Reagan

On a recent busy evening at a Cuban restaurant, we sat next to a woman having dinner with her two daughters – one girl looked about 9 years old and the other about 4.  It became increasingly difficult for the mother to eat as the younger girl was incredibly active, running around the restaurant.  One of the servers came to the mother’s assistance.  She sat the little girl on her lap and distracted her.  When that seemed to run its course, the server picked up the younger daughter and walked around with her, so that the mother could finish eating.  We all need a little help from our friends – or sometimes the kindness of strangers.

Kindness to Self

“Enjoy the simple things. Don’t over complicate everything. Take a breath. Find some stillness. Stop to smell the flowers. Listen to the birds. Sit in the sunshine.”

~ Akiroq Brost

Life seems so frantic sometimes.  A friend of mine and I talk (or text) about being “rah-rah,” which has come to mean, I am so frazzled that I cannot even articulate the reasons why.  So I was pleasantly surprised the other day when an unplanned early morning errand got me to my first appointment of the day several minutes early.  I found myself spending time to make sure that my car was parked well enough to give my neighbor enough room, appreciating the greenery around me, and walking with a much more relaxed gait.  It felt like a treat.  Time is, after all, an incredible gift – even if it is to oneself – and I resolved to extend that kindness to myself more often.

The Kindness of a Postcard

“Take time to be kind and to say ‘thank you.’”

~ Zig Ziglar

A couple of years ago, I read an article about how rare handwritten letters are and recently, I saw an article about the disappearing postcard.  So I was especially delighted to receive a postcard in the mail handwritten by a young friend of my children.  He wrote to thank us for a gift card that we had given him and telling us that he had used it on his vacation.

Kindness and Violet Toilet Water

“Scents evoke very, very powerful memories, whether it’s the scent of someone that you know and someone that you love, or if it’s a meal that your mother made.”

~ Blake Lively

Years ago (actually, decades ago), one of my best friends from childhood introduced me to a very nice English violet toilet water.  We both used it for years.  And as happens with scents, I associated the smell with good memories and friendship.  Unfortunately, the scent was discontinued.  My friend, who now lives in another city, called recently to tell me that she had to explain a gift that she was sending me.  She had found a tester of the violet water that we liked so much at a store and she had convinced the salesperson to sell her the tester, so that she could give it to me. My wonderful friend did not want me to think that she had used the gift before sending it to me.

Kindness and the Happy Purse

“Life is too short not to celebrate nice moments!”

~ Jurgen Klopp

I don’t like to change purses. It seems like an unnecessary hassle.  So I am not the person who coordinates outfits and handbags.  Consequently, my purses are usually in very neutral colors and more often than not, black. Enter one of my dear friends who every so often will text with a photo of a purse that she is not using and thinks I may like. Always solid neutrals and perfect. A few weeks ago, she sent a photo of a purse with flowers all over it – a very happy purse. It is the kind of purse that I would have admired in a store, but would not have bought because it would not be something I could wear all the time and thus would take me into the dreaded purse-changing mode I avoid. But I really liked the purse and told her I would gladly have it. Ever since my friend dropped off the purse, I think of it as the happy purse. I find the flower pattern very cheerful. And to my surprise, I have been using the purse nonstop for a couple of weeks now. Seeing it always makes me smile. I know that a big part of that is that it reminds me of my friend’s constant kindness.

Kindness and Reframing

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

~ Henry David Thoreau

I am blessed with the friendship of several older women, who frequently share wonderful pearls of wisdom with me.  On a recent Sunday morning, I shared with them that I was trying to keep my children on task – getting to church – while they were asking about a number of different things that needed to happen this week.  One of my wise friends said, “What I hear is children being responsible.”  And in an instant, I realized that yes, it is important to keep my children on task, but it is also important to acknowledge when they are trying to be responsible.

Kindness and a Waiter

“Caring – about people, about things, about life – is an act of maturity.”

~ Tracy McMillan

At a recent restaurant stop, we ended up talking to our waiter – a very nice and well-spoken young man in his mid-20s. He shared that he had been in college and just one semester shy of graduation when he decided to return home to help with a family matter.  He did not share the details, but said that the issue was resolved, so he was looking forward to returning to school and earning his degree.  We wished him well.

Kindness and the Birthday Girl

“God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.”

~ Voltaire

One of my dearest friends recently celebrated her birthday. And what does she do on her birthday? She drives quite a distance to get amazing cookies not only for my children (and me), but also for my children’s classmates who are on a school trip with mine. When I told her that I couldn’t believe she was doing that on her birthday, she said, “That’s what life’s about.” She truly lives well.

Kindness and the Peacock

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

~ Aesop

As I was driving along a two-lane road recently, I realized that the car coming in the opposite direction had stopped.  When I got closer, I saw the driver behind the wheel patiently waiting for a peacock to cross the road.

Sibling Kindness

“My siblings are my best friends.”

~ America Ferrera

I love the movie Black Panther and have already seen it more times than I care to admit. One of the reasons that I like it so much is the supportive relationship between the main character and his sister. I thought about this recently when one of my mom friends shared that her son, who just celebrated his 12^th birthday, had offered to share his birthday loot – gift cards, no less – with his sister.

Kindness and the Photo Department

“Always render more and better service than is expected of you, no matter what your task may be.”

~ Og Mandino

I recently needed to print out a photograph for a work project, so I ordered it on line to print at a pharmacy. When I arrived at the drugstore, there seemed to have been a problem with the order and the photo had not printed. I was pleasantly surprised by the woman at the photo department, who was incredibly gracious and determined to get my photo printed. She asked me if I had the photo on my phone and then proceeded to look through hundreds of photos until we found the right one.  She then carefully cropped the photo on the computer and had it printed. All told, she spent about 20 minutes making sure that I got what I needed.

Cousin Kindness

“A word of kindness is seldom spoken in vain, while witty sayings are as easily lost as the pearls slipping from a broken string.”

~ George Dennison Prentice

At our Easter Sunday family celebration, the cousins were gathered.  As he was leaving, the oldest cousin – a college junior – said to his high school-age cousins, “Hey, I know that the college process is starting soon and it gets stressful, so if you have any questions, let me know.”

Happy Easter!

“Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life.”

~ Janine di Giovanni

May this Easter season fill your hearts and homes with peace, joy and kindness.