February Seventeenth; Random Act of Kindness

I was hoping the cloud cover would break, at least for a while. That doesn’t appear to be going to happen.

The temperature here is supposed to be comfortable today. It would have been a perfect day to head for a mountain hike, but the clouds will not open up in the slightest. Rather than the glorious, clear blue, it is a soft grey. A complete covering with no openings or breaks what so ever. The fact the weather prognosticators are calling for storms later makes he very hesitant about heading for or up the mountain. The cough I have battled for a couple weeks now is finally easing, I do not want to do anything that would risk bringing that back.

As it is, I need to get out in the yard and check to make sure we are prepared for heavy rains. I have to check that the drain pipe going under the house is clear, that it isn’t blocked behind the house and that my make do wall out front is in good shape.  My son is expecting a package anyway, if I’m here I can make sure to get it inside and where he can find it easily. Directly in front of his television or maybe the fridge.

I’ve been sitting here, trying to decide what I wanted to write about. When one spends the most of their time at home, and do not have one of those this is how you do things blogs, ideas can be a struggle.

The other day I found a web site that lists those so called, “National Days” https://nationaltoday.com/ One of today’s special days, is Random Act of Kindness Day. This is much easier to do if you leave your home, but not impossible if you don’t. You could donate to a charity. Donate to a fundraiser for a friend or stranger. Send food or flowers to someone. Share a kind thought or complement. If you disagree with something shared on social media, scroll on past. No one really likes a troll.

I think that most of us know those random acts. Its simply a matter of doing them. Its a matter of not allowing fear to stop you from taking action.  I thought it interesting that this post showed up in my social media memories today..

Good morning all-

Have you ever been afraid? Have you ever had those moments when you wanted to …. but fear stopped you?

Do you recall a moment when you felt that you had to say something about a situation, or you felt something so very strongly in your heart and wanted to speak about it, but held your tongue out of fear of the reaction of others. Even though you knew your comments would not be cruel or crude or hurtful, you remain quiet. You did not want to lose ‘friends’ because they may not agree with your belief. You didn’t want to chase people away because they may not have the same convictions or even thoughts that you hold. Whether it be on politics, child rearing, health, religion or any of the others thousands of topics in the universe. So fear held you captive.

Do you remember a time when you were in or near a situation where you knew you should have acted but didn’t, because of a fear of injury? Maybe you could not have stepped in and stopped a physical battle. Maybe you could not have stepped in and stopped an assault on another person or child…but you could have sought help.. but didn’t.

Have you ever wanted to help someone in need, but didn’t because you were afraid that anything you did would be taken wrong? Afraid that if you gave money it would be spent on illegal things instead of helpful. Worried that material things would be sold to gain money to get illegal or abused substances. You wanted to help, felt drive and inspired to help..but didn’t.

Fear is a horrible master. It leaves you wrapped in chains, incapacitated and incapable of showing compassion and mercy. Today, we must all decide who is the stronger, our heart and our voice and actions.. or our fear and the destruction it is capable of.

BE the difference for someone. BE strong, BE compassionate, BE what others need and see.. how far you can leave fear behind.

There have been times when I have took action. When the feeling of being lead to act was so strong that ignoring it was an impossibility. When even fear took a backseat knowing this one it would not win. In the eyes of those who give donations of large amounts or are able to do amazing acts, mine would appear small, almost unworthy. But to the one receiving, I could see their happiness. Just as the story is told of the boy tossing starfish back into the sea, the few saved, may not make a world of difference, but to those saved it was all the difference in the world.

Don’t let the fact that your act may be small stop you from acting. That dollar you give may be the last dollar needed to pay an outstanding bill. That sandwich or drink may be the only meal they get that day. That kind word may be the only friendly voice they hear. Holding open that door may be the only act of kindness and those acts, may actually make all the difference in their day.

Take action and fear not. Even if you do not see the results of your actions, know that your random act of kindness does make a difference.

Life is a journey, made all the better for being kind along the way.