Kindness

I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and kindness to our brothers and sisters in Haiti.  It is beautiful to see the press coverage, to feel the real pain of the reporters, to watch the Haitian people helping each other, to see the planes and ships being loaded and heading to Haiti, to see the volunteers stepping forward, to hear of “ordinary” individuals doing what they can – packing up clothes and supplies and giving the dollar or two that they really can’t spare – but somehow find that they do.

And I wonder – why does it take disasters and tragedies for the human race to come together as one and show kindness and love to each other?  What if we were to each do this everyday?   Even as we are showering kindness on Haiti, are we sharing it with those immediately around us?  Are we sharing a smile with the strangers we meet, with the windshield wiper at the traffic light, with the tired cashier who serves us, with the people who work with us, with our family members?  It is so easy to forget to be kind.

A few days ago I was discussing this very thought with a friend.  We stopped off at a coffee shop for a cup of coffee and a pastry treat.  As we took our seat, my friend asked if I had any hand sanitizer.  I replied no.  A minute or two later, the lady sitting beside us said “I am sorry to eavesdrop on your conv ersation, but I have some hand sanitiser – would you like it?”  And I thought:  what an ordinary act of kindness displayed by this stranger.  It is no less than that being shown to our Haitian brothers and sisters.

Today,  do a kindness for someone.