Though my lesson title this week is “Mysterious Love,” and I plan on talking about love and its mystery since Valentine’s Day is upon us, I thought another perspective would be good to share in this letter. Since kindness is an important expression of love, here are some suggested Random Acts of Kindness from the book with that title:
“Next time you go to the movies, pick out someone behind you in the line and tell the ticket seller you want to pay for their ticket as well. Make sure to ask that they not reveal who paid for their ticket.”
“If you know someone who is going through a bad day or a difficult time in life, make it better by doing something—anything—to let him or her know someone cares…and don’t let on who did it.”
“Praise the work or attitude of a person you work with to someone else at your workplace in a time, place, and manner that is outside of all office/work politics.”
“Visit a neighbor with a bouquet of flowers for no reason at all.”
“Ask an older person to tell you a story about his or her youth, such as what her favorite song was and why, or how they met their spouse.”
An 8th grade child wrote about a loving act by the mother of a friend:
“My friend lives next to a shopping mall. Every time her mother drove by the mall, she saw the same homeless man on the bench. He didn’t even have a blanket. She went out and bought him a nice blanket and a pillow and gave them to him. Ever since, he waves at her and smiles when he sees her.”
Stories of loving kindness tug at our heart strings because they tap into the power of love within us. Basic kindness is an expression of Divine love, and a quality to which we can all aspire. Sometimes in our busy lives, we forget to take the time to help others in small ways. And ironically, these acts can take little time and effort. It is more a question of awareness. We need to wake up to the realization that the opportunity to give in loving ways is ever present.
Once, I drove up to a Starbucks’ window to pay for my order of several drinks. I was informed that the driver ahead of me, who was just driving away, had already paid for them. I was so grateful for that gesture of kindness! It also came just after I had been thinking about prosperity, so it was a personal confirmation in the moment. I stayed in that feeling of gratitude and love for the rest of the day. We can never know the seeds that we plant with our thoughtful gestures.
Practice an act of loving kindness today!
Love & blessings,
Rev. Kathy