Wednesday, April 13, 2011

K Is For Kindness

One day as I was hustling out of one class in Faner Hall (home of the world's heaviest doors) on my way across campus, a guy stopped and held the door for me.  The look on my face must have said it all, because he said, "You didn't expect me to do that, did you?"  The quick answer was no.  I'd gotten used to all manner of students letting the door smack against me, no matter what I happened to be juggling at the time.

Aesop, the fable writer said, "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."   I just love a good quote, don't you?  I'm going to do my best to not get all rant-y here, but it's always possible.  One of the things I think we all need in our lives is a little more kindness. I know that I tell my students at least a hundred times a day to be kind to one another.  In general, it seems that we have fallen out of the habit of doing things for other just because we can and should.  We expect something in return, even if it's just a thank you.  I promise I'm talking to myself as much as anyone else here.  I am selfish and lazy more than I would like to admit.  I don't truly seek out ways to be a help to others.  In fact, sometimes I purposefully shy away, because I don't want my plans messed up.  And that hurts to admit, trust me. 

Even worse, I fear that I've become so used to 'just doing it myself' that I don't always know how to react when others try to be kind to me.  When we arrived in Gulf Shores, and faced the daunting task of unloading the car, a guy who was grilling out in the parking lot with his family stopped to offer help.  I got all "I can do it myself" but he helped Amber get her suitcase up and carried water up in a second load.  We never even got his name, even though we talked several more times, but he was just so kind to take a minute out of his vacation to help. 

I say all that to say this, be kind to someone today.  And if you have mastered that, allow someone to be kind to you.  I know it sounds all Miss America, but I really do think that it could make our society a better place.

1 comment:

  1. The funny thing is, that guy has no idea that he will probably always be a part of our recollection of that trip... partially because of his random act of kindness/southern hospitality... and partially because of his awesome sand art.

    *And yes I reposted this after I noticed my lack of ability to spell...*

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