Blog #592: I Thought I’d Count ‘Em

People like to count things.

Steps.
Stars.
Sheep.

How about counting Acts of Kindness?

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So for 24 hours…

I counted.

And I learned something.

The more I counted the Acts of Kindness I tossed into the world…
The more I also focused on looking for opportunities to BE kind.

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What motivated my unique mission?

I’m always my own walking experiment.

AND…

Living with kindness is an EXTRA big deal to me.

Anytime I say good-bye to a day without throwing kindness into the Universe, I think: “I wasted the day.”

THAT…

Is not a thought I like to feel.

With that as my motivation, I wondered…

“Do I really walk with as much kindness as I want to?”

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AFTER my 24-hour experiment…

I chronologically walked back through my day, remembering my interactions with people, nature and myself.

I typed out a numbered list of the kind things I’d done.

What made my list?

Every time I tossed what I felt was some sorta’ kindness into the Universe, I counted it. I noticed that consciously counting my Acts of Kindness made me go out of my way to DO them far MORE than I normally did.

AND…

The more I repeatedly DID kind things, the more I kept seeing tens of more opportunities to DO kind things.

I BECAME more of what I want to BECOME.

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Some readers may wonder…

“Is actively seeking out ways to be kind…genuine kindness?”

To me…

A kindness is a kindness.

Think about it.

How many chances to BE kind are hiding out there unseen…

UNLESS we actively look to see them?

Here’s two examples from my 24-hour day…small and big:

1. I sought to show kindness to nature.

I was actively looking for struggling worms to lift off hot sidewalks. I succeeded at that. AND if any one of those worms could talk, s/he would undoubtedly thank me for looking out for him/her.

If I hadn’t…they’d be dead.

2. I sought to show kindness to people.

I purposefully thought about saying something positive to a cashier who wasn’t smiling. As I approached the front of the line, my brain spun: “What do I say?”

When I got to the front and had my chance to talk with her, I did. Her once unsmiling face dramatically changed when my words showed her:

“I see you.”

Before I left the store, I looked back over my shoulder at her cashier isle.

She was still smiling.

If I hadn’t said what I’d said, she might not have smiled her entire shift.

Who knows?

So…yeah.

Looking for opportunities to be kind is the real deal.

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And one more thing.

My 24-hour experiment reminded me that we each possess an awesome power to positively make an impact…with kind words and kind actions.

I love that part.

Why?

Because sometimes it’s extra easy to feel invisible.

Until…

We open our mouths and show someone else they’re not.

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Will I do this counting thing…again?

Undoubtedly.

If counting kindnesses is a reminder for me to look for opportunities to be kind more often…then why not do it?

Now…

If only there were a “watch” for counting THAT.

😉

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Counting Acts of Kindness.

Maybe I’ve intrigued you to try it.

I sense if you do…

It’ll feel pretty great to those whom you run into.

It’ll also feel pretty great inside your own heart.

S.