MKE WEEK 16 – Kindness

I just came across a fun quote while I was searching for a kindness image:

“Kindness is free, sprinkle that stuff everywhere.”

Not sure where the quote is from or who said it, but I really like it.  That’s what I feel we are doing this week.  No kind act is too small to be appreciated, no kind word too quiet to make a difference to someone.  So I am sprinkling kind words and deeds everywhere I go.  And seeing the kindness of others along the way.  How wonderful!

One of my PPNs is “helping others”, and since learning that, I have made it my mission to help someone every day.  And it is not hard to find opportunities to do so.  Whether at work, home, online, out and about – we can always be kind and helpful.  So I thought – how different will this be?  But I find that it is.  I am more aware of the kindness around me, and will make a point of doing something I might not otherwise, like picking up something off the floor and returning it to the shelf in a store, or returning a cart that isn’t mine.

And really, I believe it is those small acts of kindness that matter the most, rather than a grand gesture – though that can be wonderful, you probably don’t do grand gestures every day.  And EVERYONE can be kind, it is not limited to a specific kind of person.  We can even look for it in the animal kingdom.

What do I like best about being kind?  When you are being kind, you cannot be mean, petty, judging, or angry.  (Law of Substitution?)

Here is my favourite example from this week (so far).  Yesterday evening I was at my nursing job and our influenza clinic was crazy busy and short-staffed.  So we all pitched in (kindness).  Close to the end of the shift a large family (of seven) were among the last in line.  I know some nurses are overwhelmed when faced with a large family and possibly rambunctious children. So I volunteered to take them into a private clinic room (kindness).  I could have pre-judged them (they were new Canadians and might not have spoken English well which would mean phoning an interpreter), but I was too busy being kind.  Well, they were a lovely family, we communicated perfectly, the children had wonderful manners, and even the youngest two barely cried when I immunized them.  (kindness)  They were appreciative and commented positively on the experience (kindness), and I complimented them on their lovely family (kindness).  Everybody that showed up for the flu clinic was accommodated, and the lead nurse thanked me and said how much she appreciated that I took the family (kindness).  I work with wonderful nurses and we all support each other and work together as a great team (kindness).