Kindness matters

At the beginning of this year, I was thinking about random acts of kindness, and I decided to make an effort to be kinder and more thoughtful.  I know, you're all saying, "but you are kind and thoughtful, ME."  Well, what I really am is polite.  I try to use my manners.  That's easy.  Being kind takes a greater effort than just being polite.  Not much greater, sometimes, but still a greater effort.  I will hold the door for the elderly person behind me at the gas station, because it is polite.  It is kind to hold the door and smile.  It is thoughtful to hold the door, smile and offer to pump their gas.  See, that's where it all breaks down for me...thoughtful.  

I am now on a mission to become more thoughtful.  This is no easy task.  I just don't think far enough ahead sometimes.  And, that's where it starts - thinking ahead.  How does one become more thoughtful when one doesn't think ahead?  

My plan is to remind myself to look for ways to help someone or to make someone smile.  I've even made a list of the things I have already done this year and I will continue to add to the list.  My goal is to do at least one "Act of Kindess" each week.  Now, this is not a medium for me to go telling all the good things about me and all the good things I do.  Instead, it is a way to make myself accountable for my efforts.  Accountable to you?  Maybe.  But at least accountable in that, periodically, I will update you all on some of the things that I have done where I've actually been able to see some feedback.  

The first thing, and the one that I have found to be the most fun for me (yeah, I know it's not really about me...but I like fun, okay...) is that I have started writing jokes on our checkstubs at work when I'm paying the bills.  I can imagine at American Express or the electric company or the water company, that someone is opening the mail, getting ready to apply the payment to our account, and getting a little random giggle in the middle of their day.  It makes me smile to think of the person on the other end laughing at a joke like, "How do you make a tissue dance? ~ put a little boogie in it!"  (Did you just giggle?  I hope so.)  How do I have some feedback on this one?  The Wills Point Chamber of Commerce retold my joke on Facebook - and credited me!  They thought it was a pleasant surprise and even touted my customer service skills.  

So, for almost eight weeks, I have done at least one Act of Kindness.  Has this made me more thoughtful?  I think so.  I told one of those jokes to someone on the phone the other day who sounded like she might be having a bad day.  She laughed.  I smiled.  

I'll update y'all later.  Don't be surprised to find a joke from me in your mailbox.  

Ephesians 4:32

Much love and much kindness to you,
~ME:)

What "Acts of Kindness" have you committed lately?