Small Acts of Kindness

I believe in small acts of kindness. Kindness from strangers and loved ones alike. Some small act of kindness, something that can seem so small to you can make someone’s day better.

This is something my nephew taught me many years ago. He was always different, he loved wearing his sisters’ clothes and playing with their toys. The women in my family were fine with it, but not the men. One night, he spent the night at our house with his cousin who liked to wear his clothes and play with his toys. She had a pair of pink fuzzy slippers that she never touched but he adored them. He was running though the house with them on, happy as could be, when my father saw him. He demanded that my nephew take them off reminding him that he was a boy and boys don’t wear pink! I was in my room getting ready to go run some daily errands when I heard the commotion. I could tell that he was upset so I attempted to rescue him by asking if he would like to come along with me on my errands. We went to the grocery store and then to get gas. I bought him a candy bar and a few of his favorites at the store. I was very young when my nephew was born and had thus not found my mothering nature just yet. I was still in my self-absorbed teenage years and so I didn’t attempt to talk to him about what happened or try to make him feel better. I just rescued him and bought him some treats. So when I later heard him refer to it as one of the best days of his life, I was completely surprised. I really did not do anything much, just took him to the store and bought him some candy. It took very little effort on my part but made a huge difference in his life.

So the next time you run in to someone who is having a hard time and you think there is nothing you can really do for them remember that the smallest acts can make a big difference. Even if it is a stranger and you may never know the impact your kindness may have on their lives.