On a day that falls about mid-way through the month of February, there is to be a celebration that is unlikely to rival the longevity of Valentine’s Day, or even Groundhog Day.
This mid-month event is a feel-good occasion, set right now for one day, but with the idea it will grow in such popularity that it will eventually be an everyday occurrence.
On the 17th of February North Americans are asked to observe Random Acts of Kindness Day. There is no identifiable source for the start of this kindly day. In fact there is also uncertainty for when the day began and made it to an international website.
But someone, somewhere had the necessary vision to view a kindness day as a special kindness when sometimes it feels as though kindness is a missing philosophy of the 21st century.
From the miniscule background information available, it seems like a simple proposition: do something kind for someone, and so it shall possibly follow that a different person will do a kindness, perhaps for you or likely for someone else and the kindnesses will multiply until there is a large circle of kindness and sweetness, a circle encompassing total strangers, maybe some friends and neighbours or better yet, some enemies of past encounters.
And so let us ponder some of the ways we might show kindnesses to others in such a way it will become contagious, just as the organizers envisioned:
- An age old act would be to help an elderly man or lady across the street while carrying their parcels and stopping oncoming traffic. But first, ensure they actually want to cross the street as in that old Boy Scout cartoon with the reluctant street crossers.
- In the winter it would mean so much to help those less able by clearing their sidewalks and driveways of snow, whether by manual shovelling or operation of a snow blower. It is important to blow the snow away from the already-cleared driveway, but not into the neighbour’s yard without permission to blow it there. Appreciative recipients might provide a plate of homemade cookies or a pizza delivery for a surprise evening meal.
- Buying hot chocolate and a doughnut or whatever the folks behind you in the fast food drive-through ordered would qualify for a random kind act and would almost guarantee a mention on the recipient’s Facebook page. A similar act in a sit-down restaurant would also be considered in a positive way, engendering surprise when the server delivers the news but not a bill. She/he still deserves a tip from you.
- Write an e-mail or an old fashioned letter to an old friend or a relative you haven’t seen for a long time. Maybe attach or enclose a recent photograph to prompt their memory into recalling your face if your name doesn’t ring a bell. Be kind enough to share only positive memories of previous interactions.
- Ignore texting and instead pick up the telephone and call someone to have a proper conversation. It would likely be appreciated if the conversation didn’t totally rely on the state of the weather or pandemic situations, the state of politics in the nation or on the continent, or the cost of groceries and hand sanitizer. If other topics are elusive, perhaps it would be wise to not make the call, a definite random act of positive kindness.
- In the spirit of good will, I tried hard not to laugh out loud when a bank of snow cascaded onto Housemate’s head and shoulders one day as he tried to stop said buildup of snow from melting on the sidewalk. Of course he saw me laughing through the window. His act of kindness did not go unnoticed but nor did the humour of the moment. Kindness does sometimes have a light-hearted side.
- And finally, I smiled broadly at the other driver who went through a stop sign at an icy intersection and then gave me the friendly finger for being nervy enough to be on the same road. If only I had been wearing my mask while driving then I could have also supplied some random yet specific verbal words of kindness.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
