The courage to be kind

Soooo. I have always thought about writing a blog….I feel like I have a billion things I could write about but decided it should really have a focus.  I commute on a daily basis, for the most part, to my office which is located in downtown Portland, Oregon.  I take the max train 99.9% of the time but occasionally hit the bus for a little spice.  While my headphones may be on,  I am incredibly observant and find human interaction and behavior quite fascinating.  In a time where Smart Phones dominate our visual acuity, we tend to miss the little things in life happening all around us.  All those fun stories occurring right under our noses!  When I catch myself glued to my phone screen, I remind myself of the phrase, ‘Look Up’.   There is a lot of excitement there – or else I am just easily amused. I think both statements are true.  So in this blog I will compile some of my observations and you will read them without judging me for my grammatical errors and misuse of punctuation.  I am not asking this of you, I am demanding it from you.  Do not judge me.  I am a fragile soul with a very sensitive ego.

Here is your first entry-albeit a little rough (that’s what she said?). 

It’s the little things right?  The little things that matter.  Even little acts of kindness can matter more than you think.  This morning on my way to work, a lady was sitting down the aisle from me struggling to close a window that had swung open above her.  The young man standing next to me, about 19 years old, walked the length of the train to assist her and together they were able to secure the window.  It seemed like the obvious thing to do right?  But I didn’t walk the length of the train to help her.  Not one other passenger out of the 50 some people there offered to help her.  It seems like such a simple act , yet it also makes us step out of our comfort  zone.  You have to talk to a stranger for goodness sake and possibly even make eye contact.  You have to ask uncomfortable questions that may insult their pride.  ‘Do you need help?’.  The response may be ‘Of course I don’t you god forsaken ninny…..now leave me alone.’  Or you may embarrass the person.  You don’t know.  So most don’t  bother to take the risk.  There is a risk in being kind?   Well yes –sort of-kind of- if you consider the aforementioned potential situations…. BUT in reality NO; there is no real risk at all (unless the lady hits you over the head with her umbrella or your fingers get smashed in the window you are trying to close….but this is beside the point right?). 

Matter of fact, I am sure you have all heard about how performing acts of kindness actually improve health, make you happier, trigger groovy things in your brain, etc.  Countless studies have proven this.  So why do some of us forget to stand up and offer our seat to a senior, or someone using a cane, or a mom juggling a baby and a toddler?  Are we really that wrapped up in our own little worlds that we do not actually see what is going on around us?  [Yes, you-sitting on the train.  There is a gentleman with a cane standing next to you.  Maybe if you glanced up from your Iphone, you would have noticed that.]  Or are we too scared to speak up, reach out, make that contact?  Today-let’s take a challenge and find the courage to be kind.  Not only is it good for you, it actually may inspire the person next to you…..or if you still want to be known as a despicable jerk, you can always do acts of kindness in secret. Ala Operation Beautiful http://operationbeautiful.com/

Pssst-here are a few links proving this kindness crud really does work.  I swear by it! 
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308151049.htm
http://www.suite101.com/content/acts-of-kindness-relieve-stress-improve-health-a131071