“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” - Dalai Lama
Is it me or am I the only one that thinks that so much of our thought process is “all about me? ” I suppose with so much negativity in the news and so much going on as we try to survive, our stress levels elevate and we forget to look outside of ourselves. Can we consciously start being more kind to one another? How about a simple act of kindness? Maybe a compliment, allowing someone to merge in front of you while in a traffic jam, using manners such as please and thank you. What about an award that you can give to your wife or husband for being the BEST spouse in the world. That will probably bring a smile to their face. 
Below is a story that I read (source unknown), that I’d like to share with you:
“While shopping at my local store I noticed a young girl ahead of me. She had with her what looked like a newborn infant in the cart along with diapers, formula, and other food items.
The cashier rung up her items and the girl gave the cashier her credit card. The credit card was declined and the girl looked at the cashier embarassed. The cashier gave the girl the option of keeping her items in the cart while the girl went to get the necessary money.
The girl left, to go get her money. I told myself that if the girl came back, that would be my signal to help her. The girl came back at the exact moment that the cashier was done ringing up my groceries. She told the cashier, ” I have some money but not enough, so I will have to return some stuff”
I stepped up and very quietly told the cashier that I would take care of it while handing her my check card. The girl said, “No, I’ve got it.” I said, “It’s ok, consider it a random act of kindness and pass it on. I know what it’s like to be a new Mom.” The bill came to over $150, but I know that that girl will never forget it and that maybe next time she saw someone in need, if she could, she would repeat the favor. ”
Practice kindness one action at a time. “Every waterfall starts with a drop!”
There you have it my rant for this week!
Will you go out of your way to do a kind act?
I also wrote a guest post over at A Life Less Sweet if you have a chance to visit.
73 users commented in " Kindness "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackNice story - we are so quick to just go it alone and forget we are walking this earth with others! I’m getting back into some of the volunteer activities I used to participate in - like Big Sisters - and it feels so good to make a difference for someone else.
I’ll also add that helping others doesn’t necessarily have to be monetary - it can be time, a thought, a letter, anything that spreads kindness.
@Stacey Shipman, Great point “helping others doesn’t necessarily have to be monetary - it can be time, a thought, a letter, anything that spreads kindness.” Thanks for your feedback!
A friend of mind (a very new, but already dear friend) has ‘Practice Kindness’ in her signature..everytime I see that it strikes a chord in me. Life is crazy most of the time, but those two little words keep reminding to just chill, calm down and take a step back..there’s a lot more out there..very nice post Mark.
@LindaM, Very nice signature. chill and calm down and look around…yes.
Actually, I don’t go ‘out of my way’. That suggests doing something out of the ordinary. I try to just be kind. It’s as simple as that for me.
@Urban Panther, That is fantastic! Thank you.
It’s a nice story! If each of us willing to do a kind act a day, the world will become a better place to live in. The most simple kindness that we all can do is smiling at each other and a greeting of Good morning when meet in the morning!
@Rosabel, That is a very kind gesture. Thanks!
What a wonderful post Mark, thank you so much for sharing that.
Remember, kindness in words creates confidence, kindness in thinking creates profoundness and kindness in giving creates love.
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@christinekambo, Great quotee!
What a wonderful story! I have to agree with Rosabel - Mark, perhaps you are familiar with the term “Minnesota nice.” It seems that people in Minnie are always so friendly and upbeat when passing perfect strangers. It’s such a difference from Chicago!! I hope to be able to pass that along during my time here
@eatingbender, The bigger city is a bit quicker, pass along as much kindness as possible!
Great post - Today and tomorrow and Friday I will try to do one act of kindness a day for someone!
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@J, That is fantastic!
Love this!
That makes me so happy. Writing this was an act of kindness in itself!
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@Sagan, Thank you!
That’s all it takes, one random act of kindness…Great Job
@chris, so true…thanks!
Kindness is so missed in the world. With a “me” society we forget about others. I try and add sprinkles of kindness in all areas of my life but drop the ball so many times, thank’s for the reminder:)
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@bobbi, Every sprinkle helps!
That is a heartwarming story
I really identify with that quote as well. I’ll pass it along.
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@Christine, A wonderful quote.
I’ve heard this story before! It’s very nice
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@Marcy, It is..thanks!
Thanks Mark,
Very inspiring. I think you have to have your mind set so you can be ready to act with kindness when the opportunity knocks.
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@Dr. Hubbard, I agree, we never know when the opportunity presents itself. Thanks!
That person was so nice to help her out! Reading things like this makes me want to help others more.
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@Munchkins and Music, Me as well…very nice!
I love, love, love the story. I wish that some people that read it take it and remember that the next time they see someone struggling or someone that they can help. It doesn’t take much effort to really make a difference in someone’s life.
My mom told me a story @8 years ago about how they didn’t have money to get us christmas gifts when I was a baby (and she was taking care of my 3 half siblings from my father’s side). Two days before christmas someone tipped her $50 (it was the late 70’s so it could go far!). It was a “small” act from a stranger that stayed with her for the rest of her life!
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@Diana’s Body Journey, Great story and thank you for sharing! “remember that the next time they see someone struggling or someone that they can help.” so true!
Great post! Thank you!
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@Running Knitter, Thanks!
Mark - we must be on the same wavelengths lately…I just did this guest post over at Zen Habits on kindness:
http://zenhabits.net/2008/08/the-no-1-lifehack-you-can-implement-today-to-make-the-world-a-better-place/
Keep up the GREAT work, my friend.
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@mark_hayward, I just read your post…well done!
Very cool post! Yes, it’s important to help eachother, it does the soul good. Once while at the cemetery with my mom, an elderly couple were trying to dig up the flower cup. I had stopped praying and was just looking at this couple. You could tell that the little old man was trying really hard. I told my mom, I will be right back. I walked over and just grabbed the screw driver and started digging. It took me 15 minutes, but I dig up that flower cup. It turned out that the couple had moved away and no one went to visit, hence the digging. And looking at their faces, when I pulled the flower cup out, was worth my ruining my dress.
@Rosy, Wow! Very nice…thanks for sharing!
Hi Mark. Important advice and too easy to forget when we’re in the midst of our “buzy-ness.” My random act occurred this afternoon at 30th Street Philly, where a young man was nervously trying to get information about NYC. I stepped in and was able to guide him through a 6-hour whirlwind plan. Made my day and hope it made his too!
@Miz Liz, Well done! I am sure he will remember!
Hubby made grilled cheese for the kiddos while I was exercising earlier and I tried to make a big deal about how sweet it was. Sometimes, I take it for granted, and forget how wonderful he can be
@Annette, Very nice, thank you for sharing!
I’ve been thinking about this a lot, and I’ve been trying to let people know when I think they’re doing a great job at something. I rarely used to get that kind of praise at my old job and I know how much it meant to me when people noticed and commented. So I’m spreading the love.
Great post!
@Jessica, Great outlook! Thanks for sharing!
Great post! I try to do or say something positive every day. It’s good to be able to lift someone’s spirit & hope they pass it on! Helps to give me a positive point in a day that may be headed downhill!
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@DaDivaStreet, That is fantastic, it certainly does feel good! Thank you!
Nice story, thanks for sharing! It does make me want to think about being more nice to others, and strangers too, rather than just thinking about myself and my family…
thanks!
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@Liz, I do too…sometimes I forget, thank you!
Fantastic Mark. Let’s extend it to the kids too. Yesterday I was watching my 15 year old lumbering toward the car and I decided to greet him with a smile. We’ve been arguing a lot lately and I had a few things I could have started in on. I realized though, that if I’m not positive and kind to him, who will be? Based on his age and gender, he has people lined up indefinetely to tell him he’s doing everything wrong. I have the priviledge of being someone that can be kind to him, someone that can speak truth into his life. I’m gonna take that and run with it….
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@Audra Krell, yes the teenagers are at a confusing time in their lives and positive reinforcement is hard to come by. Well done, let’s extend kindness to kids as well….absolutely!
Thanks for this. I need to remember more to be kind to others. A lot of times I am a “me me me” person. Thanks for the reminder.
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@Blake, Your welcome, thank you!
Great thoughts my friend. You already know how I feel about ‘paying it forward’.
Thanks for the fresh reminder.
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@Strong One, I know you do!
Yes, a kinder, gentler world would be a good thing.
@Dr. J, It would be indeed.
What a touching story! I agree, we need more random acts of kindness, every day.
@Lisa M, Yes!..thanks!
Without a doubt. It’s how I’m built. I wish I could do more. Loved that story.
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@Leslie, Thank you!
Very nice Mark! And what a great story! Kindness can be such a simple thing to do, and yet also something that gets “missed” in our busy lives. Something that doesn’t seem like much can still be a big thing to someone else!
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@Lance, Absolutely, the simples acts can go a long way! thank you!
[...] article about kindness, by Mark over at Mark Salinas, MN. An article about the importance of being kind to one another. And this reminded me of a story that happened to me a few years [...]
Mark, your words are too kind for a “rant.”
Kindness is your consistent positive support of the many sites you take the time to visit!
Thank you!!
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@Dr. J, Thank you for your kind words.
Hi Mark!
So moving… Yes, I try to help others when at all possible. I don’t have room in my daily life to volunteer, so I make up for it in little acts: like helping seniors take groceries to their car, or tending to stray animals until they find their way home (just another one of these this morning!), even just holding the door for somebody makes everybody’s day a little brighter.
Great post - thanks!
Oh, and thanks for visiting Joe Girl
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@Joe Girl, your are making fantastic strides….and another this morning? Well done! Holding the door is so simple and yes I agree it is a nice act of kindness. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Mark!
I followed a tweet of yours, to a post with a link to your blog.
This is such a wonderful post. I’m often surprised at the shock that some feel when given any type of kind act.
I never really gave “thank you” much attention, other than saying it, esp in public, when doors were held, etc.. until I was traveling, one time, and no one was appreciative of anything.. no one held doors, in public, and no one noticed when I did.. it was a real eye opener. It was over-refreshing to travel back south.. it was about NC when the appreciation started to be shared again.
The world would be a better place if every person did one good turn (boy scout term for act of kindness, for those who are unaware) each day.
It was my Japanese Foreign Exchange Student’s, that I taught, many years ago, that brought it to my attention that Americans (they were speaking in general) did not accept thank-you’s. Upon further questioning, they found it odd that we didn’t just reply, “you’re welcome” but we felt a need to defend the act.. with “no problem” or “its nothing.” THAT really helped me reply differently, too.
I’ve learned a lot with translation of other languages.. one student described her mother’s everyday homemaking job as “thankless.”
Have a great day.
~Heidi, outside of Charleston
@Heidi Carolina Dreamz , I find that with so much going on we tend to forget that we all can have a positive effect on other peoples lives.
“The world would be a better place if every person did one good turn (boy scout term for act of kindness, for those who are unaware) each day.”
Very true!
Hopefully we all can learn a bit each day. I know I have to stop and slow down myself. Thank you for sharing!
Its so good to hear that story. It feels like its such a rarity these days
@Suzie, Hopefully we can all take positive steps. Thank you!
Mark,
What a beautiful story. About 2 weeks ago I was in the market with all 4 boys. For the 2nd time that week, I had done my whole shopping, got to the cashier and then realized my pocketbook was in the car. You know when you get so embarrassed you actually feel your hairs standing!? That was me. And behind me was this older woman who I thought was so annoyed with me. I told the cashier I would run to my car, grab my wallet and be back in 2 minutes. I knew it would be more like 10 minutes… So I ran with the boys, got my wallet, explained why we had to go back in… and we did. I noticed the older woman who was behind me, was now at another register and was already being bagged. I felt relieved! I ran, paid… and turned to see the older woman waiting for me. I thought she was going to reprimand me for forgetting my wallet! She walked over to me and asked if she could help push my cart to the car. I almost started crying. She told me she had 4 daughters, and seeing me here with the 4 boys… it reminded her of her grocery travels 45 years ago. Aw, a kindred soul! She pushed the cart to my car and actually helped me get them in! I thanked her profusely! And then she pulled off in her car. I will never forget that woman. I will never forget her kindness to me when I felt like just forgetting my groceries and leaving. I drove off actually thinking to myself, “She was my angel at that moment.” 4 kids aren’t easy to wrangle around the grocery store… she knew that, she remembered.
(Sorry so long!)
Best,
Audrey
@AudreyMcClellan
@Audrey McClelland, A wonderful act of kindness! Those are the moments that stick with us. Not so long….very nice! Thank you!
A lot of people in the Southern California hustle and bustle of life could do with taking a moment to read this. As for me, I’m going to step up in the RAOK area. Compassion is one of the keys to healthy, happy living.
@Mamasphere, Great goals! thanks for sharing!
What a wonderful, wonderful story! Thanks for sharing this!
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@Mama Zen, Thank you!
Volunteering and helping others helps US to stay connected, too. I was feeling kind of isolated; it’s amazing what a hurricane can do for a neighborhood (as opposed to just “TO a neighborhood”) - people who’ve never spoken before will wave and talk and help each other out.
@Holly Jahangiri, Great points! Thanks for sharing!
What an inspiring post. While I can’t say that I would go out of my way to perform an act of kindness, I do try to remember to be kind to my loved ones - and to strangers.
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@Vered, Very nice! Thank you!
Kind acts should not be so rare, but, sadly, they all too often are. Reading this post, as well as reading lots of other blogs daily, I am finding that there are amazing, kind people out there…we just need to look.
I like this quote:
Practice kindness one action at a time. “Every waterfall starts with a drop!”
peace,
mike
livelife365
Streeeeeetch Your Life
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@Mike, Thank you for your words! Have a nice day!
It’s happened to me a few times in the last couple of weeks that I’ve noticed someone leaving behind a cell phone at a restaurant, or that their child’s jewelry has fallen under the table, and so on. All I do is point it out to them and you can see how relieved they are that the item was not lost and how grateful they are that I noticed and pointed it out to them. I don’t think we have to go out of our way in order to help others, I think that if we pay attention there are many little things we can do to help the people who come across our path.
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@Marelisa, Fantastic examples! Thank you for sharing!
So great is the Golden Rule : Don’t do unto others what you don’t want others to do to you but do to others what you want others to do unto you! Unfortunately, it’s so rare finding people with that virtue of great compassion. I wish there was more! I try to live my life that way but then sometimes, people are just born selfish. Such is life. To err is human?
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@Maricris, “Don’t do unto others what you don’t want others to do to you but do to others what you want others to do unto you! ” Well stated!
I loved this story….and I think random acts of kindness are like angels on earth, a reminder of our better selves. It’s also amazing how good it feels to be one of those angels when the opportunity arises.
I’m also a big believer in keeping a gratitude journal as a means of reminding myself of the good in life.
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@Suzanne, Fantastic feedback! Thank you!
That’s great. My husband is great at paying for Sbux for the person behind us in a car fairly often.
Good luck this weekend!
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@Fit Mom, That is a nice gesture! Thank you!
Beautiful reminder. I find that the more I smile, the more smiles I get in return. Especially taking time to smile at the elderly and children. I always wave to the kids on my daughter’s school bus. They wait for it now–grinning at me as soon as it pulls up. I love that!
@KD @ A Bit Squirrelly, wonderful when the kids run into my arms after school…very nice I agree! Thanks for your comments!
It truly does make one feel good-to be nice!
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@Tipper, Yes it does..
Kindness is a language the whole world speaks. I try my very best to teach my children kindness as it seems so simple but often overlooked upon. Great post Mark…as always:~)
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@Brandi, Thank you for your kind words!
What a beautiful story! I always treat others the way that I would want to be treated. Being kind feels good and the best part is that it makes others feel good. I can’t imagine any other way to live.
@Talli van Sunder, So true! Thank you!
You’re right, Mark — I think we tend to get too caught up in ourselves and our own lives to show compassion to other people. It’s good to be reminded to step back and think about others.
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@Zandria, Thanks for your feedback!
Kindness goes a long way. I think I need to start with being KIND to myself.
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@meleah rebeccah, Absolutely! Start with oneself.
You are a sweetheart. I ran into Lance and then you, one right after the other and I am ending my day in a feel GOOD, feel HAPPY mood. I am so touched by what you did. Thank you from my heart. You have a beautiful blog and spirit. And it truly does make the world a better place. It heartens me to know there are people like you in the world. Thank you. Robin Easton http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/
@Robin, Thank you for your kind words!
Nice post, Mark!
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