Acts of Kindness

Have you ever helped someone replace a flat tire? Or let someone be ahead of a long line? Or have given up a seat for someone in the MRT?

When my dad passed away last October 22, I was touched to hear kind words about my dad from strangers. Even the garbage collectors, fish vendors, water delivery boys and security guards were also grieving about the sudden passing of my dad. They speak about my dad’s random acts of kindness that truly made a difference in their lives.

Giving directions to strangers who seems to be lost, chitchatting with the security guards, telling jokes to the vendors, or giving a warm smile to strangers are just few random acts of kindness my dad did before.

By strict definition taken from the internet: A random act of kindness is something said or done to make another feel good while expecting absolutely nothing in return, not even gratitude. To be most effective, this act of kindness is done for someone just met or someone never met, thus the word "random". A random act of kindness is neither a favor done for someone who asks, nor is it ever performed with resentment or hesitation. It is an act performed strictly for the good will of others in which the only reward to be expected is the good feeling generated from helping others.

Random acts of kindness are meaningful to both people. You feel good that you helped someone in need or brightened someone’s day and they feel good that someone cared enough to make the effort and hopefully will pass it along by doing something for someone else in need.

These kind gestures made me realize that performing random acts of kindness is one of my dad’s legacy. I believe that I have to continue what he has started. Afterall, kindness is contagious. It can have a ripple effect and inspire people to spread goodness.

Last Monday, Gerard was supposed to pick me up at Shopwise Sucat. He forgot his cellphone at home so he did not know that I was already near our meeting place. When I went out of Shopwise, I saw an old man looking worried and seems to be looking for someone. After a few minutes, he walked near to the entrance door and kept on looking at the escalator. I noticed that he does not have a cell phone with him. He looked at all people that pass by. He became more restless. I felt the urge to help him. But of course, I was hesitant at first. I thought that if I approach him, he might get scared of me and shoo me away. But then a few minutes later, I approached him. I asked him if he was looking for someone and if he wants me to help him. He said, oh no… I was just waiting for my wife. I just left my car there, pointing to a car near the entrance door, not properly parked. He was just concerned that something might happen to the car so he cannot leave it out of his sight. He tapped me on my shoulder and smiled. But thank you ms. He kept on repeating, thank you… thank you… thank you. And then finally his wife arrived. He said, here she is… the wife also thanked me. Gerard also arrived at that time so I waved goodbye to the old man.

Though I was not able to help the old man in any way, I felt that the man appreciated my kind gesture. On an instant, I gained a friend. Who knows? I might have made a difference in his life or made his day complete.

I believe the time has come when we cannot just rely on others to make the world a better place – each one of us has to do our part. As I have mentioned, random acts of kindness is a win-win situation. The person you are being kind to benefits through your help. You feel good for having helped someone. And the world is a better place through your kindness.

The gesture does not have to be big or expensive such as million worth of donation, it can be as simple as a smile or quick praise. As Aesop said, “no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted”.

Stop to help someone in need this week. We can make these acts of kindness not just random, but a way of life.

Happy helping!