Small Acts of Kindness
Today was Benjamin's birthday. Benjamin is a boy in the school where I teach. He is 4 years old. I was reading to Benjamin's class in the library and I noticed him whisper something to his mom. About 30 seconds later, his mother handed me a chocolate cupcake. Benjamin pointed out to me, along with the rest of his class, the perfectly drawn smiley face, blue frosting drops for eyes, the yellow speck of frosting for a nose and sprinkles for the hair. I laughed, along with the children, at the beauty in these observations. Working with children, I am always reminded of their spontaneous joy and ability to stay present. This morning I was also caught by surprise by this child's act of unconditional love and kindness. His willingness to share for the pure joy of expression. I pause.
On my way home, I notice the vendor on my street corner who sells fruit day in and day out. This is his livelihood. He stands outside in the elements of sun, wind, rain, and snow from early morning until dusk. He is always happy to see me and my dog, Milo, on our walks and he always offers me a banana. A very nice gesture. He knows I like bananas. This man from Turkey whose English is broken has a smile on his face most days. I often check on him to see if he needs a coffee, or a tea or something else to eat other than fruit. He always says he's fine, unless I hand him something, which he gratefully accepts.
These kinds of exchanges occur every day over and over again. We only need to awaken and see that they exist. To take notice, to smile, to see the sacred connections in the simplest of things. It isn't hard to do. It just requires you to get out of your own way, get out of your own mind and look around at the world outside of yourself. To embrace each moment and each person as if they are a child of God.
Take time each day to reflect on your day. Did someone offer laughter, kindness, support to you when you needed it today? Was your coffee prepared lovingly by the person behind the counter and were you thankful? Perhaps someone opened the door for you...just because...even though you were capable of doing it yourself. Maybe your friend called and remembered an important meeting that you were preparing for over the past weeks. Did you get a surprise email from someone? In the act of giving, you, too, are receiving. Were there moments that you offered kindness and compassion without expectations and without reward? Perhaps, your gesture or thought was a sacrifice so that another person could enjoy their day more fully. Did you offer your seat on the subway to another person, not because they were pregnant, or elderly, but just because it seemed that the other person needed it more than you did? Did you give up the last of something even though you wanted it, because you knew someone else wanted it, too?
Take time to reflect and renew and be reminded of small acts of kindness in these kinds of every day exchanges. And, most importantly, be grateful for all that you are given and shown. Be grateful for the reminders of love and compassion that surround us each and every day. Be wary of the ego's disguise of fear and loathing, anger and despair. Look behind the veneer and bless those who suffer and need these prayers the most.