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Monday, February 6, 2012

Monday Musings.

There is nothing that takes the steam out of your girdle faster than a friendly, professional customer service representative.  I recently had a persistent problem online with a major banking company and called the dreaded 800 number.  This led me through a maze of indecipherable, frustrating loops, until I just kept punching "0" until an actual person answered - after about 7 minutes of Muzak.  She, of course, couldn't help me but transferred me before I could holler "Stop!" and I was on another 7 minutes of aitchdoublehockeysticks until Lateesha answered the phone.  She was funny, sympathetic, spoke English, solved the problem without putting me on hold.  I could have hugged her.  Instead I sent a glowing comment into their Customer Comment ethersphere and hoped someone would receive it and give her a raise.  I should have asked for her extension number...

Why are random acts of kindness never in the news?  Has good news become such a boring subject?  Or is it that there is so little news that is good?  I know I have gone on at length about how wonderful the blogosphere is - how I have made virtual friends who, even though the distance is great, are there for me when I need them; sometime just sensing that I need support or a friendly, open ear and heart.  I was recently the recipient of a random pay-it-forward gift and its timing was so perfect, that I look upon it as a random act of kindness.  A thoughtful gift, something small, sent to brighten my day.

I am therefore declaring Thursdays as my Random Act of Kindness Day.  I believe that, once a week, I can do something kind - even if it kills me (KIDDING).  Really - it's easy.  Just let someone in front of you in traffic.  Carry a package.  Write a note.  Shovel a walk.  Open a door.  Knit a headband.   This is going to be fun.

14 comments:

Sue said...

Hubby and I always do this. We have bought breakfast for a restaurant full of our troops (anonymously of course!), bought a lunch for 2 young gals out with their kids (they were the BEST momma's I've seen in a long long time!) and we always pay tolls for those behind us when we travel.
We don't have much money, but on occasion we like to do these things and it always leaves US with a glow that lasts all day. So so worth it. I confess I don't contribute to a lot of charities because it seems there are those that are ALWAYS on the receiving end of things. I prefer to "seek out" people that I SEE are having a tough time, yet they don't ask for help. Those are the ones that get my good deeds.
Love your Monday Musings. What a neat way to peak into your brain....

Mama Pea said...

Aw, to heck with your Random Act of Kindness Day each Thursday! You are one of the few people I know (Sneaky Sue above is another one) who CONSTANTLY inflict random acts of kindness on more people than you could count of a day. You, m'dear, are the one who always thinks of just the right thing to say or the right little gift to send to brighten a day. It's just naturally part of your nature. Anyone who knows you or comes into contact with you is blessed.

Jenyfer Matthews said...

Does it count if I offered to let someone go ahead of me at the grocery store last week and they declined?? LOL If only more people would practice these random acts, the world would be a much nicer place.

Judy T said...

I recently saw a post (rats, I don't remember where) of someone reporting on her 38th birthday where she spent the day performing 38 meticulously planned acts of kindness. I guess to get in 38 in a day you have to do some planning. It was heartwarming to read. She included things like sprinkling change on the playground for children to find, taping quarters and a note to the laundromat washer, delivering treats to the nurses at the local hospital and leaving flowers on a random doorstep.
What a great idea to do something nice for people every week.
Judy

Erin said...

You're on! It's such an easy thing to do, and it always makes us feel good to do something for someone else. "Good" is a feeling we all need!

Michelle said...

Great post and very inspiring comments! I definitely need to comment and "follow" comments so that I get more ideas, then ACT.

Poppy said...

I'm so happy to find your blog! My husband and I have the goal and dream of homesteading so it is exciting to find other people actually doing it!

I'm looking forward to following your blog. Have a wonderful day!

RaShell

Susan said...

Sue - You and your Hubby should be in the Random Acts of Kindess Hall of Fame! I agree with your view on charitable giving - 'tho I do give (small-ly) to one large group. I like to put my money and help to work in my own community.

Mama Pea - Aw, heck. You got me all blubbery. And pshaw.

Jenyfer - Absolutely, it counts! I wonder if the globe would tilt on its axis if every single one of us did a kind act once a week.

Judy - Wow! I would have to plan for a year if I had to do as many kind acts as I am years old. Geez. But what a thought!

Susan said...

Erin - Yes! Let's pass it on!

Michelle - Sometimes, just following all the blogs I love and then commenting can take hours! But I hate to miss them...

RaShell - Hi there! I am happy you found my blog, too. There are a lot of wonderful bloggers out there (many of them have commented above). Such a wealth of great ideas and wisdom!

Jane @ Hard Work Homestead said...

What a wonderful thing to do! Look what Lateesha started.

Carolyn said...

What a great idea! And I agree with Mama Pea, I doubt you just "occasionally" do kind things....you're probably doing them all the time & don't even realize it! But it is a good thing to MAKE yourself realize you ARE doing good things! ;)

Candy C. said...

Good for you for sending a comment on the nice customer service rep! I'm sure that is a very, very rare occurence!
It does make a person feel warm and fuzzy when doing something nice for someone else without them expecting it or sometimes even knowing about it! :)

Leigh said...

What an excellent idea. Who knows, this could get to be a habit! I agree about good news and the news. We need more good news and more happy thoughts.

barefoot mama said...

This is my first visit to your lovely space. You commented on one of the blogs I follow:)

Hope you're having a wonderful evening! ~ B