Today
reminded just how powerful kindness can be. One of my classmates, who happens
to be my namesake - Nafis - had the great idea to show our one and only, Karen
Robertson, some appreciation. Karen is the Academic Advisor for the
International Development program at Waterloo and, in our three years of
schooling, she's been nothing short of a gem!
Using
sidewalk chalk, the students wrote "INDEV <3's Karen" in huge
letters so that she could see the message from her third floor office window.
She was surprised, to say the least! As I stood beside the message while Karen
waved from above, all I could think was about how this simple act (which took my classmates no more than 15 minutes) had the potential to change someone's
day. That person will now go about their day with a smile, and in a better mood.
That person – moved by this small act of kindness – is also likely to pass on
that good deed.
So if
it's that easy, and it can have THAT great of an impact, why is it something we
so often seem to look past? I can't seem to figure it out - at what point did
we transition to a society that doesn’t see the value in helping others? I
might be coming off a bit cynical, so let me clarify; there is A LOT of
kindness in the world – for goodness sake, I have 31amazing classmates who are
ready to dedicate their lives to make a positive difference in the world. We
love the people we do because of their kindness and the happiness they bring
into our lives. All in all, I'm not saying this kindness is non-existent, I'm just
saying it doesn't happen nearly as often as it should.
There are
so many opportunities for those little acts of kindness, and it's so easy to do
that one small thing that makes the world a better place. I'm not suggesting
you give up your career to save the world or that you suddenly become a
"tree hugger", I'm saying you should take out that one extra minute
to do something that may very well go unnoticed. Pick up that water bottle you
see lying in the parking lot and throw it in the recycling, pay for a
stranger's coffee, hold open the door for the person behind you - the options
are endless!
What do
you think? Do you in fact believe that the bigger initiatives are the ones that
count the most? And why is it that the small acts of kindness are such a rare
commodity in today's society?
I would
also love to hear stories of small act of kindness that changed your day!
I think the idea of one small kindness is that human beings are fundamentally social creatures, and small acts can have great power because of what they do just as much for the giver as the receiver. Recently while out with my dad, he saw two people in wheelchairs chatting with one another outside the store we were leaving. I didn't give it a second thought, but he stopped and asked "Would you like me to open the door for you?"
ReplyDeleteKarim Kassam
Unexpectedly, there was no handicap assist button, which I, as an able person hadn't noticed and as a result effectively prevented these two people from being able to exercise a basic right. Small acts of kindness, like my father's unthinking reflex to open the door can lead to more profound changes, involuntary or not, in how people like me see the world. Now, whenever I notice a differently-abled person at an obstacle, I'll just ask if they'd like me to open/move it for them.
It's so nice to see how this small act of kindness so greatly affected you! Small things can go a long way when your intentions are positive.
DeleteBeing a recipient of this random act of kindness was a gift that I will cherish always. Thanks to each of you!
ReplyDeleteHaha, oh Internet. I will never cease to shake my fist at your unexpected pagination and imaginative formatting.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you made a post about this topic, Nafisa. It's ironic, because a few days ago I was thinking a similar thing. I had a hectic morning before work and was in a very annoyed mood for the most part.
ReplyDeleteOn the bus though, I offered my seat to an elderly person. He didn't accept, but I could sense his gratitude. It made me feel good that I offered to help him, and I'm sure he was happy that somebody was kind towards him. Another incident I saw, that same morning, happened when an elderly woman was getting off the bus, struggling with her walker. The young lady in front of her turned back and helped her walk off the bus, and that made me so happy. It made me realize how much one simple act of kindness can affect a countless number of people.
I guess simple things in life like this, can have a greater impact than we think. Like you said, it's a chain reaction; one person's act of kindness will inspire them to do the same to somebody else.
As mentioned by the previous comments, it's really cool how small acts can have SUCH a great impact. I know that this small act definitely changed my outlook on people and the value of kindness!
DeleteKiyan surprised me the other day with his random act of kindness. His little friend Ashton's mother came up to me to say thank you, that was very kind of Kiyan, Ashton is delighted. When I asked what happened, she replied that Kiyan had given away his $300 TREK mountain bike to Ashton!
ReplyDeleteI think what you are saying totally makes sense. I think people have become generally selfish. But the question I have is, is it their fault?
ReplyDeleteWhen some one is nice, they should not expect kindness back but they should be shown appreciation for their kindness. I think the bigger problem is not that people aren't kind, but that people do not value this kindness and that is why people are showing less and less of these acts of kindness to one another.
That's a very interesting thought! I agree with your point about not necessarily expecting random acts, but that's exactly why they're so random! These little things are so unexpected that they leave the recipient shocked and in a better mood.
DeleteWith your other thought, I'm not sure I agree that people don't value this kindness. I think if anything, their appreciation isn't as obvious - but that doesn't mean it isn't there.
Yes and no. I think Zubair may have a point in saying society has become more selfish and general kindness (not necessarily random) are not appreciated as much. This would be discouraging to go ahead with those random acts?
DeleteI think people today are too focused in their own lives to be able to notice the little things they can do to make somebody else happy. The world has become so busy that people sometimes don't notice somebody in need of help even if they are right in front of them. If people spent more time taking in their environments, I think there would be more acts of kindness around... I don't think the problem is that people aren't willing to help someone out or try and make someone happy, but more like they are too self-absorbed or preoccupied to notice how little it takes to make someone's day.
ReplyDeleteThat's very true! This may be a stretch, but a lot of the time we're so attached to our technology (texting/emailing while walking, listening to your mp3) that sometimes we don't notice those around us or all the possibilities for these little acts of kindness.
DeleteBut, there is hope! This small act changed me, and it's all it took because now I am more aware of my surroundings and ready to throw out an act of kindness to all those that come my way ;)
I absolutely loved this :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes I feel like random acts of kindness help make the corruptness of the world less visible. My goal is to try and do at least one random act of kindness every day :)
Thanks for the enjoyable read!
Glad you enjoyed it! Good luck with the goal :)
DeleteI really enjoy this post Nafisa, I like the sense of optimism you’re putting out. I agree, it’s the simple things that can often be strong enough to change a person’s day from just good to great. People tend to forget things like common courtesy and random acts of kindness but it can be as easy as 1, 2, 3. You’ve definitely shined some light with this message :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting topic. To some it comes so naturally and for others its such a hard thing to do. I was at a restaurant one day last year and there was an elderly couple sitting across from us. As they finished the old man got up and his wife was having some trouble standing up, he went to help her but couldn't get her up alone. Without thinking about it I went over and helped too. As I was going back to my seat the old man offered to pay for my lunch because he really appreciated it. Yet to me it didn't take much effort or time and definitely didn't inconvenience me to do this. However it did make me wonder why it came as such a shock to him that someone was willing to help just because they wanted to. Has no one else ever shown a moment of kindness? Asking the person I was with, she also felt that it was completely normal, what I had done. I feel that the kindness is there in the world it is just unrecognized and undercover. There is plenty of it in our world,and of course space for more, it is just kept quiet and wouldn't be the same if it were recognized because then people would be kind in expectation of an award for it instead of just doing it because they can!
ReplyDeleteI think this ties into the idea of us now being a society that is so heavily self-absorbed. The elderly man may have been shocked because he hasn't been helped before BUT, being optimistic, I'd like to believe that he was just so appreciative of what you were willing to do without even being asked. Great work making their day! Your act of kindness made me happier haha!
DeleteA little bit of kindness can really go a long way. One time,when I worked as a cashier, a customer came up to the counter and bought 2 chocolate bars. After paying for them he walked away with only 1 in his hand. When I called out to him that he forgot the other he said "that one's for you." Working as a cashier is, more often than not, a thankless and monotonous job, but that one act of kindness really made me feel happy for the rest of the day :) just goes to show
ReplyDeleteSuch a feel good post! :)
ReplyDeleteI think the reason that random acts of kindness have such an impact on the individual is because they are random, and most often than not, it is usually strangers. It's like when you least expect it, BAM! Act of Kindness!
It's the little things in life that we tend to remember, I don't know why, I would say human nature :)
It is the little things, isn't it? I definitely won't forget the sign for Karen, nor the smile on her face. Great job with your sidewalk art ps!
DeleteThis made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside haha! I recently finished reading "the book of awesome" and it really reminded me that little things can make all the difference. Just the other day my mom came to visit me for a day and out of the blue I decided to do her nails. For me I saw it as a way to pass time but for her, she LOVED it. She NEVER gets her nails done but the look on her face when they were done was priceless. She enjoyed this simple act of kindness, it didn't cost me a thing but I think it made her day. This really goes to show what an impact this can have on someone so I'd love to make this a daily part of my life.
ReplyDeleteRandom acts of kindness in today's world are itself inexplicably 'random'. This is due to the fact that the citizens of the world these days have just complicated their lives to such a great extent that they have literally forgotten the basics and how important it is to help people in need when they are capable of doing so. People also need to realize that not every action or gesture that is directed towards benefiting another individual is going to be or needs to be reciprocated. Sometimes, in fact most of the times people need to act 'selflessly' rather that 'selfishly'.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very well written and power post Nafisa! I really enjoyed reading this and getting such a well-thought out perspective on random acts of kindness.
ReplyDeleteI was there helping with the sign for Karen, and I also realized how easy it is to make someones day. It only takes a small coffee or treat delivered to someone, a big hug for someone that is having a difficult day to make a real impact on their day. When considering the program we are in, imagine the endless possibilities we possess just because we care. That's really what its about when it comes down to it.
This blog post actually reminds me of the movie, Pay it Forward, and it's powerful message it had with how you can really change someone's life when you put your mind to it. It's just about showing you care.
Great work Nafisa, thanks for helping me open my eyes!
I've never seen the movie but I'll make sure to check out its trailer!
DeleteThanks so much for reading and commenting! I'm glad you enjoyed this piece.
I wrote an awesome message but it didn't save so in summary:
ReplyDelete- awesome post
- much needed reminder to perform random acts of kindness
- this reminded me of "Pay it Forward" as well! Such a good movie.
- no harm in this, only goodness. :)