money Simple gestures can snowball, and wouldn’t that be nice | Opinion
Don’t worry if you missed Random Acts of Kindness Week, which ended last Sunday. Thankfully, they can come at any time on any day … and they’re always appreciated.
Acts of kindness rarely cost more than a few dollars, if anything, but the goodwill they spread is priceless. And for most people, the good feeling in their heart of knowing they have helped someone can be overwhelming.
Visiting someone or helping with a chore might be just the answer. Or a friendly hello and a smile.
Random act of kindness: How a Northwest Florida window cleaning company brightened foster kids' day
Danica LaFaire and her staff of Fish Window Cleaning stepped it up a notch on Feb. 17.
LaFaire, owner of the cleaning service, brought her entire crew to Children in Crisis’ Children’s Neighborhood in Fort Walton Beach to thoroughly wash the windows of the clubhouse and one of its residential homes for free as part of National Random Acts of Kindness Day.
Children in Crisis, headed up by president and CEO Ken Hair, provides a home for about 100 foster children per year removed from unsafe environments in Northwest Florida.
“We really wanted to focus on an organization that’s giving back to their community,” LaFaire told the Daily News’ Devon Ravine for his heartwarming story.
Giving back reflects one's true character. The lead shown by LaFaire’s team is a wonderful one for others to follow. We all would get more enjoyment out of life by showing kindness.
Here are a few simple suggestions if you need inspiration:
Cut the lawn of a neighbor who is disabled, elderly, or away serving his or her country in the military while their families are left behind.
Walk the beach or your neighborhood and pick up trash. Just don some gloves, grab a bag and be on your way. It’s great exercise and will make our communities more beautiful. And don’t forget the suntan lotion!
When you’re eating at a restaurant, in addition to tipping your server generously, throw in a genuine smile and a heartfelt “thank you.” Those go a long way, too. Servers, on their feet for hours each day, must deal with many people who are not necessarily nice. It’s a tough job few people can handle, and fewer still can understand what they go through.
Provide a healthy and hot meal for someone who is not as fortunate as yourself. If possible, invite them over for camaraderie as well. For an elderly person living alone who has little contact with others, especially during this pandemic, your selfless act could be a lifesaver. Ask them about their life. Then listen and learn.
Pay the remainder of someone’s bill in front of you at the grocery store who is a few dollars short. I’ve been there, embarrassed, trying to figure out what food item or two to put back while the line grows.
Got a doctor’s appointment? Take along a couple of recent magazines and help restock the waiting room’s supply. Just make sure they’re appropriate for the setting.
Hold doors open for others, regardless of their gender, age, nationality, etc.
Gift an inspirational book to someone and bring along some cookies. It could change their world.
Donate blood as often as possible. The Panhandle is critically short and there is no substitute for blood. Lives depend on it.
Give the gift of literacy by donating books to your local library or the child down the street. It’s a gift that keeps giving for a lifetime.
Tutor someone who needs your special touch. It could be a one-time session, weekly or monthly. In all cases, the student won’t be the only who benefits.
Donate used towels and blankets to an animal shelter. In addition to decluttering your home, you will help our four-legged friends.
There are thousands of other ways to be an inspiration. You decide. Most of all, remember a smile and a hello cost nothing and can be game changers. Those simple gestures can snowball, and wouldn’t that be nice.
Ray Glenn is the engagement editor at the Panama City News Herald and Northwest Florida Daily News. You can reach him at RGlenn@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Simple gestures can snowball, and wouldn’t that be nice | Opinion
