A few weeks ago Mantra tagged me with the task of performing a random act of kindness, and it has been surprisingly difficult. Of course, this is not because I'm not the type to do kind things, quite the opposite...
Animal shelter employee? Yep, you. You got a call from a woman looking to find someone to take care of a baby squirrel (or bird, I do those too) that had fallen out of its nest. Well, I was the one who called and then brought that squirrel in wrapped warmly in a dishtowel. And homeless guy, the one who approached a woman for change and was handed a hot vegetarian dinner for your trouble? Um, the woman handing you that meal was me. And homeless guy who was hanging out outside the grocery store? I'm the one who took the healthy snacks I bought for my kids out of my grocery bag and gave them to you instead. And, you, lady with two children under age 3 at the airport? I'm the one who took your bags off the carousel, loaded them onto a cart and helped you find ground transportation. And old bag lady who was going through my trash? All I can say is: I'm sorry I didn't get back out with your sandwich before you left.
So, that's me. I'm Ms. Act of Kindness USA. That's just how heathen liberal hippies like me roll.
But when Mantra tagged me, giving the example of buying coffee for the person behind her in the drive-thru, I thought, "What am I going to do?" My acts of kindness are rarely planned but they aren't exactly random; they're targeted at those I perceive to be needy and deserving. I don't help (and even actively thwart when I can) people who drive BMW's. I'm much more likely to help you if you are poor or female or non-white or a non-native English speaker. And, of course, my mind started spinning on how I could use this tag to help one of the kinds of people I'm naturally inclined to help anyway. When I realized this, I stopped myself and decided that this time I was going to plan an act of kindness, rather than waiting for a spontaneous moment to drop into my lap, and I was not going to limit my semi-random selection of a target to those most in need.
Tonight, I decided I was going to buy a grocery gift card and put it on whatever vehicle happened to be parked closest to me on the left when I exited the store. I wasn't going to look for the crappiest car in the lot or check for a baby seat or any of the things I was inclined to do. I was going to let the luck of the parking lot decide. And if it was a BMW, well, so be it. I'd view it as some sort of penance to them for all the times I've driven slowly in front of BMWs on purpose and laughed. I decided to do it secretly and anonymously: no chance for the good feeling of being thanked or the awkward one of being turned down. (Although I have to admit, it made me feel much more creepy and guilty and stalker-like than my typical act of goodwill.)
So, guy in a white pickup truck, I hope you were able to get yourself a little treat, or a little something you needed. I was kind of hoping you were the store manager, because wow, did he look like he was having a rough night. But whether or no, peace on earth, goodwill toward pickup trucks and all that to you! Enjoy. And from now on I think I'll just stick to feeding addicts and taking care of children and animals; it's what I do best.
Finally, to all of you who are reading this, if Mantra didn't get to you first, consider yourself tagged. Go do something kind, something you wouldn't do otherwise for someone you wouldn't otherwise do it for. And tell me about it. I'd love to hear how you spread the love.
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