#193 Kindness

“We rise by lifting others.

—Robert Ingersoll 

Lawyer, A Civil War Veteran, Political Leader, And Orator Of United States

A campaign has begun in the area to pay it forward and I was quite surprised to be the recipient of one kind action. The story behind this is Rob was down at our local health club doing a spinning class when he mentioned that his wife--that would be me--would love to spin but hasn't been able to sign up at midnight (side note--remember my insomnia attacks?  I probably am awake at midnight but not in the mood to even think about biking) when the bike spots fill up.  Could anyone help her out was his question to the group.

Beth immediately volunteered to bring her own bike and trainer, sign me up at midnight and give me the opportunity to join in on the fun. This would be a huge effort on her part but she insisted it was nothing. What a woman and what a considerate act!

I was struck by her unselfishness and began my search on...Random Acts of Kindness. There are 7,600,000 sites devoted to this phenomenon and each one has anywhere from 29 random acts to hundreds of things you could do for someone else.

That led me on another mission.  If everyone who is physically capable in the US did one act a day for 365 days-- and for some accuracy, we eliminate the youngest and the infirm-- which brings our 300 million people to a possible 200 million acts of kindness in a day times 365 equals a total of 73 billion acts of kindness.  Wow! 73 billion people beaming because of our charitable actions. It would be a record year for smiles.

These random acts are not time-consuming, rarely involve money and often are as effortless as waving hello to your mail carrier. Simple yet what a difference it would make in the receiver's day.

“When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.”

—The 14th Dalai Lama Head Monk Of The Gelugpa Lineage Of Tibetan Buddhism

Beth, you have shown us with your act of kindness the path to inner happiness and peace so starting today I am paying it forward by doing one, two, maybe three random acts.  Guaranteed the benefits will be tenfold for both the recipient and for me.  

Thanks for reading # 193 of 7777.