WORLD KINDNESS DAY
Apparently November 13 is World Kindness Day.
I am a huge fan of kindness. And the acts of kindness that fill me with the most joy are random acts of kindness.
You know the type of thing, that small gesture from another human being, often a stranger, that can suddenly make the most awful of days bearable.
I’m lucky enough to have been on the receiving end of many random acts of kindness, and they always make me smile.
Here are a few that stick in my mind.
A small card sent in the post, simply because someone thought of me
This gorgeous little card was sent to me by local artist Freya Perry during last Lockdown
An art bundle sent to me from my lovely artist relative who lives in Wales and knew I couldn’t get out to buy supplies
ok, so the mona lisa and eiffel tower were’nt included, but lots of arty goodies were
A car park ticket passed on when someone is leaving but has paid for that extra hour (not sure if this is legal, but I appreciate it very much)
Apologies to any traffic wardens, but I do love it when this happens
Smiles from strangers when I’m out walking the dog
Dog walkers give the best smiles
Rainbow paintings in windows. I can remember how emotional (in a good way) I was on my first walk out during the last lockdown, and seeing all these wonderful, thankful and ultimately hopeful rainbows.
So many beautiful rainbow paintings, but my favourites were always the ones done by children
I could go on and on, but you get my point. For me, it’s not the huge gestures that matter, it’s the smallest of things that can really make my day.
Although of course, if anyone feels like buying me new work van that would also put the hugest smile on my face
I think expecially in this topsy turvy year of 2020, those small acts really do make a huge difference.
There have been a lot of times this year when I have despaired of the human race.
The angry rants that are occuring daily on facebook, with people fixated on their own viewpoints and reviling anyone who doesnt share them.
I find these really upsetting so no longer even read them. I just scroll on by.
Then someone like Captain Tom enters all our lives.
What he did was amazing. But what really made me well up was the generosity of the British Public .At a time when so many of us were dealing with real financial hardship.
Yes there were the humungous amounts donated, by amazingly generous people.
But I think the real difference in that brilliant fundraiser was all the little amounts that people bothered to take the time to donate.
The pocket money that was donated.
The small leftover amounts after donning a mask and traipsing round empty shelved shops.
All these little gestures added up to make one huge difference.
So let’s celebrate World Kindness Day with lots of little random acts of kindness.
Let’s smile at strangers and let others know we care about them by sending a card or a text.
Let’s be thankful for the small things.
Let’s make this more than a hashtag 🙂
Because the small things, in my view, really are the things that can make all the difference.
And of course, I couldn’t write a blog without mentioning one of the most amazing acts of kindness ever.
Ok, this isn’t small, this one is huge.
If you are a supporter of organ donation, then please do keep having those conversations with your loved ones.
Because that conversation really can make all the difference to so many other people and save lives.
Have a lovely day everyone, see you soon
Donna
