This particular post has been writing itself for a while, but I felt it really kick start itself last week in my mind and with the events described below you will see why I am starting a Kindness Campaign.
I am a supreme fan of these words that Jesus spoke: "Love your neighbor as yourself" - Matthew 23:39. I think we can all agree that it basically means treat others how you would want to be treated and as well as you would want to be treated too. Growing up I believe my parents did an excellent job showing my sister and I how to love not only one another, but everyone in our community by words and actions. It goes beyond the usual 'please' and 'thank you' in public and expands to being a good citizen to one another. Let me explain through a few events that occured recently..
Event 1: Last Sunday Travis and I were out running errands in the on and off again rain. We were not in any particular hurry but were looking to make the day productive. We pulled into a parking lot (to hit up the Old Navy sale!) in the sprinkle-like weather to be approached by 2 parents and their car hood propped up. They asked us if we could help them 'jump' their car. Now in the moment I am completely unaware of what type of car help/tools I can provide as we took my car out that day. (Little did I know that my car came with jumper cables - and that they spark when they touch..) I looked at Travis and said "well we can try, I'm not sure if we have cables." We pop open the trunk, lift up the interior lining where the spare tire is kept and low and behold there were jumper cables in their 6 years of dusty glory. We let them know we could help and they were relieved as were their 2 young sons sitting so patiently in the back seat of their car. Afterward the woman and her husband thanked us over and over and said they'd asked about 10 other people/couples before and most "gave them a dirty look and said no." She let us know they are new to Portland and had heard that everyone out here was really nice. I can't help but wonder if they feel slightly indifferent after that situation. Grateful for our help - yes, but here is a wonderful new family to our "neighborhood" and they had an interpretation of what the Portland area was like only to be let down.
Event 2: So, I work in a company that serves individuals who experience different developmental disabilities. One day in my work week I get the opportunity to work at one of our day programs and participate in art, games and community activities with the participants. Today we went on an outing in the community to buy fun goodies and snacks. It was a normal outing - nothing super different or special about it, my 2 other co-workers and I were working with the persons we paired/assigned ourselves up with and went on about our activity in a store. After going through the check out line and practicing how to pay for things, interact with the cashier (community skills) we went to go to the door and a man (I'm thinking he was a manager) stopped me and a couple of the individuals I was with and said "it is so wonderful to see you and the others doing this. It is such a blessing for them (the individuals with developmental disabilities), and it is great to see you guys doing this and taking them out to do things." I politely said thank you and we all went on about our day. I was wondering on the ride back to the site - Isn't that what we do all the time? To me and my other co-workers we were just helping with skill building. Our "job" isn't to just be nice and work with our clients and call it a day; our "job" is to be advocates for those who may not be heard as well and to help promote independence while helping them build their community and interpersonal skills.
Being nice to each other should not be something we "have" to do or something we have to "work on". It should just be a simple regularity in our culture. I'm not saying we have to be Steve/Susie Sunshine all the time and everyday, but just treat everyone with respect and be courteous. When people are having a bad day, those people need our kindness the most. We do not know what someone is going through. Cue Plato: Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. So true. You never know what others are going through, and sometimes those folks who are just amazing and have the most zest for life are the people who may be fighting the hardest struggles but want to be a 'light' for others.
Lets form a personal kindness campaign. Of course you can buy someone a cup of coffee who is behind you at Starbucks or give a shout out on Facebook - that's cool. But just let people know you care and offer help and encouragement to those who you feel deserve it or maybe do not hear it enough! If being bold isn't your take, pray for people, let your actions speak kindness and just be a wonderful person. It needs to come from within though, it could take some time and could even be an adjustment for some - that's okay. But one word or action could be just what someone needs to hear and see to feel the love and kindness from another who is trying their best among the zillions of us in this world. <3
