Simple Acts of Kindness

Hello to you all and welcome to Friday,

Today I want to share with you the power of Simple Acts of Kindness – not only the power and comfort that comes to the recipient – but also the power and comfort that comes to the givers and the observers of these simple acts.

For me – this came to my attention recently whilst on a regional flight in Australia and my faith in humanity was reinstated in an instant, whilst observing both a young female passenger and the stewardess dealing with an elderly gentleman who seemed a little confused.

It was a series of beautiful moments that I will never forget and such a great lesson to me in that moment.

First of all, as the elderly gentlemen was boarding the plane he looked very confused and a little disoriented. In fact, he walked past me as I was already seated and busying myself with a book to read – caught up in my own very important world. [ note my hint of sarcasm here ha ha] He was looking for his seat. And I am ashamed to say, that I did not, for some reason, think to ask if he needed assistance at all. Thankfully however – the first hero in this story appeared behind him. A young blonde girl, who was also boarding the plane, who simply asked him in the most kind and patient of voices: ” Excuse me sir, are you OK? Do you know what seat you are in? Can I help you find it?”

As it happened, he had gone past his seat as he didn’t know where to find the seat numbers. And he was, for whatever reason, to shy or embarrassed to ask for help.

But thanks to our Hero Number One he now had his seat – the young blonde lady had been aware enough to offer her help in a kind and gentle manner. Lesson Number One for me that day.

And now enter Hero Number Two – the stewardess on the plane.

Noticing that the gentleman had found it difficult to find his seat she approached him and the following exchange came to pass:

Stewardess: ” Excuse me Sir, how are you today?”

Man: ” I am very well thank you”

Stewardess: ” I am just wondering if you would like any assistance when you get to the airport today?”

Man: ” No thank you – I will be fine”

Stewardess: ” Is someone meeting you there?”

Man: ” Yes thank you”

Stewardess: ” Have you been to this airport before at all?”

Man: ” No – no I haven’t”

Stewardess: ” Well, I might get someone to meet you at the plane and take you through to whoever is meeting you, as it can be a little confusing if you have not been there before”

Man: ” Oh really – ok – that would be lovely”

Stewardess: ” You just wait on the plane when we land and we will take you through”

Man: ” Oh – thank you”

Stewardess: ” Not a problem at all. Now you enjoy the flight and let me know if you need anything at all”

Man: ” Oh – well……….that is very kind of you young lady –  thank you”

I was so heartened by this exchange and the manner in which it took place.

Not only did the stewardess recognise the man’s confusion and need for assistance, but more importantly she recognised his need to retain his dignity and sense of independence. And she managed through the way she directed the conversation, to give him the help he needed whilst also honouring him as a person.

It was a beautiful exchange to witness and I must say that I will remember it for the rest of my life.

Lesson Number Two delivered loud and clear.

Tears welled up in my eyes and I just marvelled at the compassionate ability of humanity. The ability that we all have to recognise the needs of those around us and extend to them a helping hand.

So today – I simply invite you to engage in some Simple Acts of Kindness.

For like I said earlier – these small acts impact the person receiving, the person giving but even more so – they ripple out to all those who witness such acts of kindness and inspire others to also be aware and giving and kind and compassionate.

The more we see compassion –  the more we are likely to engage in it.

The more we hear stories of empathy – the more likely we are to replicate it.

The more we practice assisting others – the more those around us are likely to want to help out too.

I truly thank the Two Heroes of this story – for they replenished my faith in humanity that day and inspired me to be more aware of those around me, instead of being wrapped up in my own “self important and self absorbed” world.

Yes – we are all the super star of our own movie – but we are also in the position to determine how we play out that role……and an awareness of our supporting players and their needs could be something worth looking at too.

Simple Acts of Kindness – something to aspire to perhaps?

The decision is yours!

#DiscoverYou, #LoveYou, #BeYou

Christine