Who has ever been on the receiving end of a random act of kindness? Who can remember that one day when you were having a really crappy time, and the simple kindness or thoughtfulness of someone brought a smile to your face?
It's got me thinking....we (myself included), are quick enough to turn around and point the finger at the Government, companies, friends and families when things go wrong, but how quick are we to point the spotlight on ourselves and ask what more could 'I' do?
Bear with me whilst I become what some would call an out of touch, idealist. But indulge me for one minute if you would. What effect could we have on others, and ourselves, if we all just took ourselves out of our own little bubble for a mere one hour a week, or even less, to do something to help others?
I'm not talking about massive, specialist tasks that are hugely time consuming. But we live in a world where people are living longer, families are more spread apart than they used to be and you don't always live near each other. There are greater demands on social and other services, whilst budgets are being continually cut. Modern society means that people are less available, and often lead hectic lives themselves. Developing technology has led to post offices, and other community hubs being used less, and closed down. We are becoming quite insular and if I'm honest, quite self interested.
We have all been disgusted, and some of us, or our families and friends, affected by these changes. I am one of the first to moan and be outraged at the changes, particularly cuts which are leaving people without much needed money, in isolation, and desperate. I am very quick to express my outrage, and speak out that it's a disgrace.
But, I do often question what effect we as individuals could have to make the world a better place. That's where my little acts of kindness starts to take shape. How much effort would it really be to say 'I am going to give up one measly hour of my week to do something for someone else?'
Could you befriend an elderly neighbour, or a young Mum who is feeling isolated? Just a cup of tea and a chat can make a world of difference. Could you make time to call up a friend or family to say hello, and a gossip (don't underestimate the positive power that call has, and I speak from experience), or give up some time to cut a neighbours hedge? How about knitting an outfit for a premature baby in hospital, or making a fiddle kit to help relax a person battling anxiety and unrest with Alzheimers. I don't know, in fact the possibilities are endless.
Even more idealistic, think of the money spent by local authority on street cleaning. Just imagine if we all took responsibility for cleaning the pavement and gutters outside our own property.freeing up that money for councils to channel into other services.
Ahh Jill, stop being stupid, it would never work. I don't have time, why should I have to give up time to help others, I am too busy already, that's what I pay my taxes for.....blah blah blah blah blah. Yep, that is true. But how about we took one hour away from Facebook, or Twitter, or whatever, and did something more productive?
I tell you what. It also makes you feel better for it. I give just three hours of my week up to offer telephone support for a bereavement charity. It is no hardship to do that, I would only be wasting that time anyway! But knowing that I have been there to listen to someone having a hard time is really rewarding.
We never know when hard times are going to hit us, and wouldn't it be nice if we had an infrastructure in place where communities exist that care enough to be there for each other?
Who had the slogan 'each one, reach one?'. Why not just start by smiling at a stranger, or holding a door open.
Have a great day!!
