A couple of weeks ago, I talked about admiring acts of kindness that actually require some effort (vs. reaching in your wallet and pulling out a twenty). I still feel that way, even after reading this story.
On the surface, Rebecca Kennel is just giving out hugs. Simple, right? But think. Hugging complete strangers, in my opinion, is HARD. It requires effort, throwing out your space bubbles and social boundaries, and just letting it rip.
Her hugs look like good ones, too; no double-shoulder pat-pats for Rebecca.
Looks like the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a little AOK Thursday thing of its own going on. Click here for three nice stories. Personally, I like the last two better than the first because they actually involve people doing something out of kindness. Handing over cash or writing a check is certainly nice, but it kind of lacks the effort that makes an AOK so special. Anyway, read all three stories:
Our little weekly posts trying to spotlight kindness seem (more than) a little pale in comparison to what this guy is doing. His name is Armand Young and he’s walking from California to Ground Zero in NYC to promote kindness and honor the victims of 9/11 and our fallen soldiers.
“I just got sick of seeing our country falling apart and people hurting people and people robbing people. I decided to change the world and show people no matter who you are or what you’ve done, you could change the world by a simple act of kindness.”
Before the band MercyMe (great name, by the way) started recording their sixth album, they got together to discuss the concept the music should explore. They came up with “kindness” and created a character, Mr. Lovewell, who inspires people to go out and be nice to each other. What kind of guy is Mr. Lovewell? Well he…
“…sees the good in everyone. He’s really trusting, and he just gives everybody a chance. He believes that even the smallest things he does could potentially change the world.” – Bart Millard of MercyMe
The Lovewell concept is spreading as their album zooms up the charts. People are doing random acts of kindness for others and leaving behind notes signed, “Mr. Lovewell.”
It’s always fun to research acts of kindness for this weekly post. Many are simple (e.g., man sees woman is cold, offers his jacket), but my favorites are ones that involve planning and effort. Almost like setting up an elaborate practical joke where everyone feels good in the end.
Here’s a nice story about a woman who baked blueberry muffins before heading out on her long drive. No, they weren’t for snacking between rest areas; they were for the tollbooth operators she would meet along the way. It all comes boomeranging back in the end.
Ideally, acts of kindness would be entirely self-initiated. You see a need and act, selflessly, in order to help others. But maybe people, especially kids, need to be taught the importance of kindness. Maybe institutionalizing acts of kindness in the schools will lead to more spontaneous kindness down the road…
Wikipedia’s definition of restorative justice goes like this: “an approach to justice that focuses on the needs of victims and offenders, instead of the need to satisfy the abstract principles of law or the need of the community to exact punishment. Victims are given an active role in a dispute, and offenders are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions, ‘to repair the harm they’ve done- by apologizing, returning stolen money, or (for example) doing community service.'”
Kay Moore and Raymond Brown have volunteered their time for years at the Restorative Justice Program at Crossroads Correctional Center. For their endless act of kindness, the inmates have nominated Moore and Brown for a U.S. Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Click here for the full story and video.
Acts of Kindness (AOKs) can come in all shapes and sizes. They don’t all have to involve giving away your last stitch of clothing or your last crust of bread. I found this story particularly appealing. While it happened in the realm of sport, it doesn’t exactly fit the dictionary definition of sportsmanship. More like a simple, good-hearted gesture. In today’s world of running up the score and recruiting ringers to win at all costs, it’s a breath of fresh air.
I almost never watch the evening news anymore. A couple of days ago, however, I did and was rewarded with this nice act of kindness. It should make 7th-inning-stretch singing at Fenway Park a little bit sweeter.
On the surface, Rebecca Kennel is just giving out hugs. Simple, right? But think. Hugging complete strangers, in my opinion, is HARD. It requires effort, throwing out your space bubbles and social boundaries, and just letting it rip.
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