Simple Actions - The Power to Touch Hearts and Change Lives
In October, 2010 in Morgantown, WV, a little girl came screaming into the world. Completely against normal expectations of continuous crying after being given the smack of life, she calmed down, almost immediately. She then turned her head toward me and did something remarkable. Her little eyes found mine, and she smiled!
As you might imagine, all kinds of emotions surged through my heart at that moment, the greatest being, of course, love! With that little spot of sunshine, which to me was an act of kindness from heaven, she instantly entwined my heartstrings with hers. It also confirmed to me that we picked the right name for her – Julia Joy.
Fast forward nine years. Early one October morning, I was sitting in my office, working feverishly to finalize my book, The Kindness Givers’ Formula, Four Steps for Making a Transformational Difference for Good, for publishing. Then a quiet knock came at the door.
“Come in” I responded.
In romped my little princess, my little “Principessa” as I like to call her. She stopped in front of me, and just stood there smiling without saying anything. A little irritated at being disturbed, (I was on a roll and focused like a laser on my project) I looked up and asked her what she needed.
“Oh nothing. I just wanted to come in and smile at you like I did right after I was born nine years ago.”
"Oh nothing. I just wanted to come in and smile at you like I did right after I was born nine years ago.”
My heart melted! I was like a puddle in my office chair as the slight irritation I’d been feeling seconds previously disappeared and was instantly replaced by feelings of warmth and love! I threw my arms around her, gave her a big hug, and let her know how glad I am she was born and that I’m lucky enough to be her Daddy! She then left and closed my door.
As I sat there thinking of what just happened, I couldn’t help but think about how my Principessa, my sweet little Juju (yes I have several nicknames for her – it about drives her crazy) through this simple action, had just made my day! It changed my outlook and perspective on what I was doing and filled me with even more drive to get my book on kindness giving ready.
Have you ever had an experience like that, when someone through a simple act of kindness made your day, or changed your perspective? What happened? How did it affect you? What actions did it drive you to take?
That leads to the next question. How many people out there are in need of a “kindness moment” to make their day, to uplift them, and help them understand that there is light, and hope, and love all around. Are we daily looking for simple ways to be Kindness Givers? It doesn’t take much and doesn’t cost anything accept a moment of your time. All it took for me was a smile from my daughter. A smile may be all someone else needs. Maybe they need a kind word or a simple gesture of kindness through a note. Perhaps all they need is for someone to be kind enough to hold a door, carry a grocery bag or say a simple “thank you.”
That was all it took for a hotel worker I met last year. As I passed her in the hall of the hotel, I felt like I should thank her for all her efforts. In a rare moment of nervousness (I am no introvert) I almost let her pass by. Then I forced myself to open my mouth and say “thank you for all your efforts to make my hotel stay comfortable. I really appreciate it.”
Suddenly she became very emotional. With tears in her eyes, she responded, “thank you. Thank you ever so much. In the four years I’ve been working here, you’re the first person that ever thanked me.”
"Thank you ever so much. In the four years I’ve been working here, you’re the first person that ever thanked me."
To say the least I was floored. At the same time my heart was filled with gratitude that I had not let the moment pass by! I left that moment a better person and filled with more determination than ever to be a Kindness Giver!
What will you do today to change someone else’s day? I invite you to look for simple ways to bless and lift others. I can promise you that you will find them, and, in the process of doing so, you will not only bless them, but you will be uplifted and strengthened and the challenges you may be facing will seem a little less daunting.
Try it. You’ll be glad you did!
Do you have a story about how kindness has touched your life or you’ve been blessed by being a Kindness Giver? If so, drop me a note at kindnessgiver@randymcneely.com. I’d love to hear from you!