These days, kind and caring people are often hard to find. People all over are to busy looking at their phones or worrying about their own lives to even share a smile with the people around them. Is being kind really that hard? I decided to push myself to be kind for five days and journal my experience. With the creation of a five day kindness journal, I saw how being kind effects the way I live my life and how others react around me.
Day 1
This day I focused on doing things for other people.
This included holding the door open, letting others go first, and helping others in any way I could. The main instance that happened this day was that I saw a homeless man. I noticed his sign saying “anything helps” when I drove by him on my way to Walmart. I went in and bought a few things for myself. As I was leaving, I saw him again. I realized I bought all these random things for myself so spending $5 on a meal for him would be nothing. I went to McDonalds and I purchased a whole meal. I drove back speeding as the sun was setting, hoping that he was still there.
When I finally arrived, he was just about to leave. I rolled down my window and yelled, “Sir!” At first, he didn’t hear me. I yelled again and added, “I got a few things for you!” He turned around and accepted my offer. He was starting to get emotional and said, “Thank you, thank you. God bless you.” I drove away after I told him to be safe. On my way back, I couldn’t help but smile and feel good for the man I just helped.
Day 2
On day two, I focused on smiling and compliments.
This day held nothing but good judgement. As soon as I saw someone, I looked for something to compliment them on. I realized at first that I was no longer judging people in my head unkindly. I complimented people on their outfits and their hair. I complimented people on how smart they were and how much effort they put into their work. During the day, I also smiled. A lot. I mean, I smiled to the point where people probably thought I was weird, but that’s okay.
What was most significant to me about this day was the fact that people NEVER knew how to handle the compliments or even a stranger’s smile. I knew on this day, I was starting to do something nice for others, and that in the end was something nice for myself.
Day 3
On day three, I decided to pay it forward.
We hear tons of stories about paying it forward and how it makes someone’s day. So why don’t we do this more often? I was waiting in the Starbucks drive-thru line when I was thinking what I should do when this came to mind. I pulled up to the window and asked “Can I please pay for the person behind me?” The Starbucks cashier said, “Sure! That’s very kind of you.” I replied, “Thank you.”
When I got my drinks and drove away, I drove off a little slow. I looked back to see the reaction on that person’s face. When I saw them smile, it made me feel warm and nice. I hoped my kindness was reciprocated and other people paid it forward, too.
Day 4
On day four, my goal was to let people know I am there for them.
Many of my friends were beginning to stress out over school and work. They would come to me in tears or freaking out about their situation. I began to send out messages and go to the people that I knew were having a hard time. I would explain to them that I was there for them and that they are doing okay. I wanted them to know that someone was there for them that I may not know what to say, but I would listen to them no matter what.
Day 5
On day five, I chose to share.
These days, we are greedy. We don’t share. To even give someone one Reese’s is like we are giving them the world. It shouldn’t be like that. So I pushed myself to share with others on this day.
It might seem like something we learn as children, but if so, why do we struggle with it so much as adults? It’s amazing what sharing food can do for a friendship. I began to offer things to people, like sharing food and clothes. People started to become more appreciative of me and the things I was doing for them.
What I’ve Learned from Practicing Kindness
Kindness is rare. I was so surprised that giving someone a handful of crackers changes the way they view you. I learned that giving someone something as simple as a smile can change their outlook on their whole day. For me, giving compliments made receiving compliments just as common. Holding the door open for others created some sort of chain reaction and I would watch and listen to people holding the doors open and saying thank you as people walked through.
I am not saying I’m the perfect human being. NONE of us are. This week changed they way I viewed myself. I realized I was spending so much time spreading negative vibes instead of creating positive ones.
One random act of kindness spreads. One random act of kindness made me feel happy and helpful. One random act made me feel like I was a part of something bigger than myself. This week I was grateful I had food, unlike the homeless man I saw. I was moved by the overwhelming amount of love and respect I received back after preforming these acts. We forget that in this world full of hate and disgust, there is still good – we just have to create it.
So live a happy life, give to others, and most importantly, treat others how you would want to be treated. Everything you do for others will come back to you.