A clip toward the ending of a newscast caught my eye. A mail carrier delivering mail noticed papers in an elderly ladies drive. It made him think, “if she can’t get out to pick up her papers, what is she doing about groceries”? So he inquired, picked up her grocery list and offered to get groceries for her. While checking out, she called and asked if he would pick up a couple things for the neighbor across the street!
Little acts of kindness and opportunities to be of service abound! We are all in this together!
The question arises, “what can I do”? My first thought is that it is often about who you can “be” more than what you can “do”. I walk each day practicing my Balinese “smiling meditation”. People often glance at me, look away, then their face changes and they look back with a smile! Does that make a difference?
Joseph Campbell suggested that “doing” something doesn’t save the world. However, he went on to say, the presence of vitality vitalizes. If you would like to make a difference, become more vital yourself! First, take care of yourself, be happy, meditate, surrender to the present moment, smile more, focus on what you have in your life to appreciate.
Second, spread it around!
Think small!
In their book “Think Like A Freak”, one thing Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner recommend is to “think small”. Huge issues are complicated and entrenched! What is something small that matters?
Thus, the image at the top of this page! Big issues are complicated! What are little things you can address? Don’t be afraid to look for the obvious!
The little things always matter!
Where to start?
After talking with a friend last night, I put together a couple links of examples. These are things companies and people are doing. They range from what corporations are doing to examples of a roofing company in Denver who turned their idle business van into a free delivery service for people needing groceries.
Examples and links
Here you go! If you have other links to share, please do. Any examples you have come across you would like to share with others, please do. If you click on the post title, it should open a new page that includes a comment box at the bottom.
Companies helping: https://www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2020/03/17/50-ways-companies-are-giving-back-during-the-corona-pandemic/#39d79d414723
Elderly Help: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/woman-helps-elderly-couple-get-food-during-coronavirus-outbreak/
A kindness class for children: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kindness-101-on-the-road-children-write-letters-to-heroes/
Postcard campaign: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-51880695
And a New York Times compilation of acts of kindness: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/27/us/share-your-video-kindness-coronavirus-outbreak.html