Be Kind…

For the past few days, I have seen this sign on the ramp onto I-71.   Each day, as I merge into traffic and head to work, I’ve seen it.   The sign is handwritten, simple, but to me, powerful!  Be Kind!   (my picture is just a sample of what the sign looks like...due to safety reasons, I could not take a picture of the actual sign!)  

I remember when Katie was going to school for the first time.   We were talking about all of the new friends she would be meeting.   Then, I told her, “You don’t have to be best friends with everyone, but you do have to be kind to everyone.”  She probably didn’t really understand that at the time, after all, it hadn’t really sunk in for me until adulthood.  But, we practiced that concept every day.

When I walk into Mt. Notre Dame every day, I turn it on.   I try to smile and acknowledge everyone who I pass in the halls…that includes fellow staff members and students.  I love watching students find a distraction as they approach me.   I always say “good morning” to them, whether they are looking at me or not.  I love their sweet smiles when they look me in the eye and say good morning.   Most of the time, the adults acknowledge with a response, but there are even times when an adult looks the other way, or acts distracted as we pass.

These situations in the hallway ALWAYS make me smile.   I know they are just uncomfortable but all I can think about is WHY???   I’m no threat…unless being cheerful is threatening!

I’m pretty serious about saying hello and smiling at strangers when I’m at the grocery store or out and about.  Often, I’m rushing around, but there is always time to say hi or smile.   I want to believe that there are others who will do the same, but I want to make sure that people I see get at least one smile during the day.   I may be the only happy person who does that for someone and it is so easy.

On Thursday, I had to go to the Toyota dealer for a maintenance checkup on my car.   The man who checked me in made my day.   (NOTE:  I do think he was flirting, as this is the second time I’ve experienced his “friendliness!”)   After checking in with the clerk, I was directed to Dennie.  He said, “Are you Lisa?” I replied, “Yes, I am!”  He then said, “Well this is your lucky day!”   We laughed and he said, “It’s a great day, isn’t it?”   I agreed wholeheartedly and said, “Gosh, I should come here every day to get my day started off right!”   Dennie then smiled and said, “We’d like that!”   When I left the dealership, I left with a smile on my face.   I was determined to keep that smile going. 

As I headed back to work, I stopped for an iced tea at McDonalds.   I noticed the person behind me had to open her door to place an order…guessing her day may not be off to a good start, I asked the McDonalds clerk to let me pay for her order.   It was a little more than $7 which did not break the bank for me and I pulled away before she would have been able to thank me!   Smile continued!!

I walked into work with a cooler of beer…yep, took a cooler of beer to one of my co-workers.   Now this was two-fold…I wanted to unload it since I’m not a beer drinker, and she was willing to take it home!  Win-Win and Smile continued!!

That night, I had a meeting where I didn’t have to do anything!   I brought ice for the refreshments, while normally, I am providing snacks and drinks for all.   HUGE Smile continued!

When I got home, I had a sweet card in the mail from a friend…unexpected and just the icing on the cake for a day full of kindness and smiles.   Smile continued!

Now, I’m not crazy…I know this can’t happen every day, but really, it was a day full of kindness.  So my decision is to enjoy a little kindness every day.  If it is more than a little, great, but never less than a little!   

Pay it Forward day is April 28, 2020.   Why just one day?   I don't want to wait!  I'm declaring every day, Kindness Day!   I've even thought of putting up more Be Kind! signs around the place.   

If all of us found a little kindness in every day, imagine what this world would look like?   Give a little, enjoy a little, but find it somewhere!   It really isn’t that hard!