After a difficult day, you head out for your nightly walk to exercise and relieve stress, only to experience the following scenarios.
Coming toward you is a family walking three abreast. Out of courtesy, you move closer to the curb. As you do, you fully expect them to adjust their pattern to allow room for you as well as you pass each other. Instead, the three of them look at you as they draw closer, all the while maintaining a three-abreast stride. Very quickly, you find that you are expected to step off the curb and into the street for them.
Standing in line at the check stand, following the not-so-pleasant task of grocery shopping, you suddenly spot someone just behind you. They are holding only two items. Knowing your shopping cart is quite full you politely smile and say, “Go ahead of me! I’m not in a hurry.” Accepting your offer, they squeeze past you, pay for their two items and walk away without so much as a “thank you.”
Traffic is heavy on a busy street as you look forward to getting home after a long day. Noticing another driver struggling to merge into traffic while exiting the driveway of a strip mall, you recall how many times you found yourself in that same situation. It was miserable. Catching their eye, you wave, patiently waiting for them to merge ahead of you. As they slip into the flow of traffic, you watch them continue on their way, having shown no indication of appreciation.
A polite society begins with each and every one of us. Common courtesy is not a sign of weakness as so often is believed. In fact, random acts of kindness and civility are a sign of strength and self-confidence.
Only the insecure are too fragile or frightened to extend themselves for another. Inwardly, they believe they cannot afford to give anything of themselves as there is too little within them to share.
Life is getting tougher by the day. Stress levels are high. Anxiety and concerns for the future seem to be affecting most of us. To combat its effects, I intentionally seek out the most customer-friendly stores to shop in (Barons is a favorite of mine) and the most cheerful people to assist me. I don’t choose to experience the added stress of interacting with an irritable checker, indifferent pharmacist or rude mechanic.
After running into several people who lacked all signs of civility the other day, I found myself wondering if it was worth the effort to be helpful, kind, even thoughtful to strangers when so many show no appreciation, and others willfully abuse it.
I quickly determined that it was well worthwhile. I’d rather be a small part of what adds to polite society or brings a ray of sunshine into someone’s life.
Who knows? Maybe they were wondering if sharing random acts of kindness is truly worth it. I hope they determined it is. What have you decided?