Wednesday February 1, 2023

kindness

peter rice

I am an Elk at Lodge No. 97, Portsmouth. At the lodge, in the grille room on the other side of the bar there is a simply worded 8X11” sign which reads, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” Nearly every time I have sat at the bar and the sign is within sight, I contemplate the meaning of its message. It sounds so simple but as I have done often, thought about its message. How many times during our daily lives do we have the opportunity to be kind? I have found the answer to be “countless.” I should mention how ironic it is that the sign is in a specific way what the Elks are all about, kindness. The organization is the definition of charitable giving, benefitting among others, veterans, those in need of food or scholarships for students seeking higher education. Over generations creative thinking has resulted in numerous methods of fund raising. But let’s get back to our daily lives. i have found the opportunities in of all places, the isles of Market Basket. There was the woman who could not reach an item on the top shelf. The elderly man who needed help lifting a case of bottled water into his shopping cart. There are the cashiers and baggers who have boring, mundane tasks. A glance at their name tags presents the opportunity to smile, say hello “Joe “and then thank the bagger who in many cases is mentally challenged. Market Basket does a great job of hiring those who are challenged, an indirect example of kindness. Out in the parking lot an individual with a big load of groceries to go into a car can also be grateful for an offer of help (kindness). When out driving it’s stopping to allow another driver into the traffic lane or a pedestrian attempting to cross a street.

From my perspective it requires little effort or time to be kind. And the rewards? You will be smiling and above all thankful for giving the blessing of kindness.