One kind word can warm three winter months ~Japanese Proverb
Tuesday, I rushed into Universal to buy some bolts. The gentleman working there smiled and opened the door for me. In less than 5 minutes I realized that I didn’t have all the information I needed, so I rushed right back out again. The gentleman once again wished me a good day. An hour and a half later, I go back- this time with the right information and with Teo. Teo proceeds to run around, happy to be in a store, making lots of noise. I chase after him as I get help to find what I need. When I was finished, I walked out, holding tightly to Mateo. The same gentleman looked at me and said, “ Now I know how you stay in shape and have so much energy. God bless you and your son.”
Kind words cost nothing, but they can make people smile, lift up their spirits and make someone’s day so much better. Today, Friday, November 13, 2020 is World Kindness Day. After all the division from elections, I can’t think of a better way to end this crazy week by all of us making just a little bit of effort to be a little bit kinder to others.
Kindness is free…
Let’s move past political rhetoric. Let’s accept differences in others. Let’s show some kindness today to someone you might not normally reach out to. That’s my challenge to you, Belize, and to all of you reading this, wherever you are right now in the world. Please take a few minutes today to wave at a stranger on the street or let the person with a few groceries go ahead of you in line. Post a message on Autism Belize Facebook page to other special needs parents giving them encouragement and showing acceptance. Record a video message of what true acceptance of others means to you. Ask your kids to post a message to another child at his or her school who might be feeling lonely or isolated or might not have too many friends.
Kindness is free. Today, let’s just make a concerted effort to be even kinder than we normally might be. Who knows? That person you smile at and say, “God Bless” might have been having a really rough time and those two words could give him or her so much comfort.
A little act of kindness can go a very long way…
And kindness lasts. I can still remember the face of an older man who tried to help me out in the Panama airport when Mateo had a meltdown and had scratched my face up. I was exhausted, bleeding, and had lost all of my patience. Mateo was crying and aggressive and showed no signs of stopping. Most kept their distance and stared. Boy, did people stare! This gentleman, though, offered to help. I didn’t take him up on it, but that offer made a HUGE difference.
And if you can, why not do a little more?
Furthermore, if you want to do more than just tweet or post a message or reach out to someone, the Rotary Club of Belize Sunrise is having a Flood Relief Drive to help those affected by Eta. They’re accepting a variety of donations. What better way to show kindness than to help our fellow Belizeans?
Share the Love & Spread Kindness
If you decide to post on social media, do me a favor and encourage others to participate. Ask them to Share the Love and Spread Kindness. Please tag: #sharethelovebze #spreadkindnessbze #autismbelize.
Thank you.
