I love this! I worked for many years in the service industry, and I always try to make eye contact and really SEE the person who is serving me. Working with the public also taught me what a big difference just a little bit of kindness can make!
Isn't it that! Just a little bit can make such a difference. And I'm not saying anyone else should or shouldn't do something, just that I really noticed in that moment how a small thing could have made a difference.
Great story - I love how you write about the little things in life - kindness is so easy to give and receive - but can also go unnoticed.
And unfortunately it is easy to be unkind, or not see something. To be unaware.
Yesterday I realised that I had inadvertently jumped the queue as the end of the queue wasn't obvious - where it fed into the check out area.
And it wasn't me buying something, it was my friend so we had been talking and had just walked to an empty checkout! Those in the queue were kind and didn't draw attention to our obliviousness!
But also I was kind and didn't draw it to my friend's attention as she would have been mortified.
What I realise is that there are always other sides to a story, right? I tried not to think about where the woman was at, I just wanted to make sure my own behaviour was as kind as possible... Thank you for sharing, Justine.
Love this. People who "cut" or don't see anyone they deem outside their network or framework are missing out. Writers (and others) observe and don't close the windows
on being gracious to strangers. It makes a difference to cultivate small acts of daily kindness,
and receive in kind when you least expect it. Carry on!
Yes, more kindness goes a long way, because it strengthens connection and reminds us about our total interconnectedness. No matter our status – financial, societal, civil, whatever – we all need it. I believe that one of the strongest messages of love we can give to another is this: "I SEE YOU". It doesn't even require words. Maria
Dear Alice, thank you for the mention & I am touched that my comment made you reflect further on the subject of kindness. As individuals now, more than ever, we need to be kinder to ourselves & others. And remember that no matter the job or celebrity status, we all need support & appreciation because we all contribute to the values of the world & society in general in equal measure. This was a beautiful post that clearly resonated with many of us Substackers 🙏👍👏
Thanks, Galina. I thought a lot about small acts of kindness all week--it's always important to me, but sometimes it slides to one side. I really appreciated your comment.
Kindness does often enough slide to one side & makes you wonder why everyone wants kindness extended their way, but fewer people extend it themselves towards others.
I love this! I worked for many years in the service industry, and I always try to make eye contact and really SEE the person who is serving me. Working with the public also taught me what a big difference just a little bit of kindness can make!
Isn't it that! Just a little bit can make such a difference. And I'm not saying anyone else should or shouldn't do something, just that I really noticed in that moment how a small thing could have made a difference.
Great story - I love how you write about the little things in life - kindness is so easy to give and receive - but can also go unnoticed.
And unfortunately it is easy to be unkind, or not see something. To be unaware.
Yesterday I realised that I had inadvertently jumped the queue as the end of the queue wasn't obvious - where it fed into the check out area.
And it wasn't me buying something, it was my friend so we had been talking and had just walked to an empty checkout! Those in the queue were kind and didn't draw attention to our obliviousness!
But also I was kind and didn't draw it to my friend's attention as she would have been mortified.
What I realise is that there are always other sides to a story, right? I tried not to think about where the woman was at, I just wanted to make sure my own behaviour was as kind as possible... Thank you for sharing, Justine.
Love this. People who "cut" or don't see anyone they deem outside their network or framework are missing out. Writers (and others) observe and don't close the windows
on being gracious to strangers. It makes a difference to cultivate small acts of daily kindness,
and receive in kind when you least expect it. Carry on!
As I've spent more of my life writing, I've spent more time noticing, for sure. It's a good practice for that. x
Yes, more kindness goes a long way, because it strengthens connection and reminds us about our total interconnectedness. No matter our status – financial, societal, civil, whatever – we all need it. I believe that one of the strongest messages of love we can give to another is this: "I SEE YOU". It doesn't even require words. Maria
I really love this, Maria. Thank you x
Dear Alice, thank you for the mention & I am touched that my comment made you reflect further on the subject of kindness. As individuals now, more than ever, we need to be kinder to ourselves & others. And remember that no matter the job or celebrity status, we all need support & appreciation because we all contribute to the values of the world & society in general in equal measure. This was a beautiful post that clearly resonated with many of us Substackers 🙏👍👏
Thanks, Galina. I thought a lot about small acts of kindness all week--it's always important to me, but sometimes it slides to one side. I really appreciated your comment.
Kindness does often enough slide to one side & makes you wonder why everyone wants kindness extended their way, but fewer people extend it themselves towards others.
Yes, absolutely.
This speaks volumes about you! And your daughter. Love it.
She was sweetly both awed and curious...
I love that!
Thank you, Rebecca!