If everyone did a little thing to help someone else, a whole lot would be accomplished. You don’t have to go out of your way or even take extra time to do something nice for someone else. A simple smile as you walk past someone or holding the door for them are little things that make people feel valued. If you’ve ever had someone ignore the smile you gave them, you know how unimportant that made you feel. If you’ve ever experienced someone letting the door shut right in your face, you know what being devalued means.
It costs nothing to be kind but receiving kindness is priceless. Kindness is a win/win. Stacking your dishes on the table after a restaurant meal saves the staff valuable time and says, “Thank you.” Mowing the lawn of an elderly or disabled neighbor lets them know they matter. Sending a greeting card to an old friend tells them you miss and care for them. A simple text to say, “I’m thinking about you,” can change someone’s mood for the day. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32, ESV).
This world is full of hurting people. A little compassion can go a long way. Ever have a day where everything goes wrong and begins to spiral out of control? Wouldn’t an unexpected courtesy make a positive change in your attitude? If being kind is our habit, we’re bound to be the one who provides that unexpected courtesy when desperately needed.
Everyone Can Do a Little
My dog, Baron, is training to be a certified therapy dog. Last weekend, his class went to a nursing home to show off what they know. The majority of these residents were like little kids on Christmas morning. As the dogs walked in, the residents sat up, smiled, and reached out to pet them. It was clear the little thing of taking our dogs to visit for a few minutes had an amazing effect. And my heart melted. Every bit of training was worth this moment.
As Baron and I were walking down a hallway, we passed one of Baron’s classmate teams. She asked if we had visited a non-verbal woman who got a huge smile upon seeing other dogs. We hadn’t, so, of course, that is where we went next. True to the claim, this woman could not have smiled any bigger. She never moved any part of her body during Baron’s visit, but she never stopped smiling. As we were leaving her room, I told her to have a great day, to which she replied, “You too!”
I don’t know if I observed a miracle, or this woman enjoyed messing with staff by choosing to be non-verbal. But I do know my dog’s small act made a big difference in a very positive way. In our debriefing after the visit, someone else did a little thing. Someone visiting the home brought their preschooler. The little girl saw all the dogs in the room and her mom let her come in. The instant those exhausted dogs saw this little girl, they all jumped up, tails wagging, and waited to be petted. A young healthy energetic child revived them.
Do Little Things for Yourself
This was Baron’s first nursing home visit, and he was a bit nervous at first. I thought it was due to the new sounds, smells, and activity, but as I made mental notes, I learned. The residents who were the sickest, were the ones who made him nervous. If you have a dog, you know they have emotions and facial expressions. My little guy was concerned for these people, and he felt bad for them. He was his normal self with residents who were more lively and able to talk to him and pet him.
He was getting a bit overwhelmed, so we took a break for some water and cuddles. We needed to take time out to take care of Baron. Dogs are so good at relieving other people’s stress, we need to remember to relieve theirs. People need to do little things for themselves as well. An overwhelmed person is not the most fun person to be around. And bad stuff doesn’t seem as bad when you’re relaxed and clear-thinking.
Refreshed, Baron resumed his visits again. The last room he entered was a woman who was elated to see him and could not stop hugging him. You see, she used to have a dog that looked like Baron and she missed him terribly. She had an 8 X 10 picture of her dog in her room. When we walked out of her room, the woman grabbed her walker and followed us. I think Baron thought he was a celebrity and loved the attention.
Little Things Matter
Do little things for other people, but also cherish your own little things. I absolutely love hearing my kids call me, “Mom,” and my granddaughter call me, “Gigi.” When Baron chooses to lay with me instead of the floor or his own bed, I feel special. My fiancé bringing home something I casually mentioned tells me he cares enough to remember trivial things I say. When someone tells me something I said in a meditation or hypnosis was helpful to them, I’m encouraged.
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good,” (Romans 12:9, ESV). Let go of the bad thoughts and feelings and hold tight to the good ones. If you fill your mind and life with good, being kind to others will be automatic. When your kindness is not reciprocated, let it go and be thankful for the love and goodness inside you.
Little things matter, so do them freely and shake off the negativity of those who don’t understand. “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world,” (James 1:27, ESV).
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