Random Kindness

I want to talk about the state of our world today. I have heard comments about how little people talk to each other in New York. It is so true. Complete strangers pass each other every day, lost in their own world. It is rare for people to interfere in the goings on around them. For example, on a subway, if something bad or off were happening most people would watch and assume somebody else will step in. More often than not, however, nobody ever steps in. An argument could be made that New York is just like that. I am willing to bet that this kind of thing occurs everywhere. These days, nobody can be bothered with another person’s problems. Kindness, politeness, chivalry, and even basic manners have all but disappeared. Even when it comes to dating, things are not the same. There are constantly articles published about whether or not it is acceptable for a guy to open doors, pull out chairs, or pay on the first date. A decade ago that wasn’t even thought about, it was just done. In spite of how this post started, I am not here to complain about the state of society. I am here to tell you about the exceptions to the rule. A few days ago, a friend of mine posted the following story to her Facebook wall: “I came into my usual Starbucks, books and computer in hand, and asked the guy at the end of the bar if he minded if I took the seat next to him. Well-dressed, handsome, but utterly miserable. I sat for a bit, filling out some paperwork for school, then closed my laptop, looked him dead in the eye and asked if he wanted to talk. He said no, that he didn't want to burden me with his pain, that he'd already burdened his friends. I told him it's a good thing I'm not his friend. And out came his story. I won't tell you what he said, as it was quite private and meant only for the ears of a random stranger. But please, be kind - everyone is fighting their own uphill battle.” … This status made me smile because she is truly a beautiful person in every way. Not many people would do what she did, and the fact that I know a person who would do that makes me want to be a better person myself. I will also add that a couple days later, a gentleman on the train acted kindly as well. He allowed me to exit the subway first, get on the next train before him, and even offered me a seat when it became available. As I sat down he told me that was three that I owed him. He was not looking for anything in return however. He followed that remark by saying “just pass it on”. He did not want recognition for his kind deed, but he wanted to pay it forward. Both of these people are spreading kindness through our little slice of the world. I personally feel the need to be kinder because of these people. Each of them, in their own way, is making the world a better place. I hope that by reading this, you were touched in some way too. So with that, I ask you to take each of their advice. Do as they say and spread the kindness.