Random Acts of Kindness

I went to the REM concert last night which was fantastic. It was at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley. A historic amphitheatre modeled after old Greek architecture with concrete seats. That means when I finally got to my section 3 to sit on seat 6, it was wet. As a matter of fact, the entire row was wet because of spilled beer and wine, etc.  A really nice couple huddled together preparing for the cold evening offered to lay their blanket over my seat so I wouldn’t get wet. Wow, they just made the entire concert a little more enjoyable for me and I thank them.

The little things we can do to extend ourselves means so much more. We get so focused on our agenda and squeezing every tiny bit from everything we say, do, spend, buy, eat, plan. Sometimes our greed keeps us from spontaneously reaching out to others who may not expect it. Sometimes our bad tempers distance us from everyone. Sure, you can volunteer somewhere and put in time to help clean, serve or support something. But what about something smaller than that? How about paying the toll for the car behind you? Or paying for someone else’s Starbuck’s? When you are asking for “2 adults please” at the next Sex in the City movie, why don’t you buy a ticket for someone who is standing alone in line? Or as you are about to rush for that parking spot, give it another car who is patiently waiting for you.   

I want to share an old REM classic, Losing My Religion which was written by Peter Buck as a result of buying his new Mandolin. The term Losing my Religion is about losing your temper or being at the end of your rope. Try practicing Random Acts of Kindness instead: