The Power of Kindness

 

Have you ever heard the story of the valedictorian who thanked their friend in their speech? 

Now, I don't know if this story is real of it its work of fiction but it's a story that is beautiful and shows how one small act of kindness can change a person's life for the better. 

The story goes something like this.  

On the first day of high school a young teen was having a rough a day.  He didn't feel like he had made any friends and was depressed and sad.  While walking back home the teenager was bullied by other students and they knocked his books out of his hands.  The teenager was heartbroken.  While he was on the ground another student walked up and helped him up and introduced himself.  This act of kindness started a friendship that lasted all through high school.  The student became more confident throughout the years with the help of his best friend and had eventually been selected as class valedictorian.  During his speech he told the story of his first day at school and how his best friend helped him when he felt he was at his lowest point.  He went on to say how one that day he was ready to go home and commit suicide, but it was the small act of kindness from his best friend that changed his mind.  

This story has always stuck with me throughout the years.  It is a reminder that our actions have a huge ripple effect that we may never know can happen.  

A quick smile can shine a small ray of positivity with someone having a bad day.

Giving a small compliment to someone can make them feel good about themselves. 

Helping a child with a hard homework problem can help them learn how to solve future problems. 

All these examples are vague and they are vague for a reason.  That's because the act of kindness is so specific but the results are always vague.  We may never know what our actions will do but that doesn't mean they aren't making a difference and it shouldn't be a reason why we should not be kind.  

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, it's the small things in life that make the most impact.  And if that small thing is done through the lens of kindness, then I believe you have increased the positive impact of that act.  

When it comes to kindness, don't think about it does.  

Kindness isn't about the result but the act itself.  

That's all that really matters. 

Life Lessons from Mr. Bean

Growing up I watched a lot of television.  One of the things I love most about television is the stories being told.   The diversity of characters on television is something is something that we have never seen before.  We can see ourselves in the characters and we can learn something about life all in a span of 30 minutes.  

One of my favorite shows growing up was Mr. Bean.  I can't remember how I first started watching it, but I randomly came upon an episode and fell in love with the show and the character immediately.   As a child, all I knew was that Mr. Bean (played wonderfully by Rowan Atkinson) was funny.  He made funny faces and was doing funny things.  Simple enough. 

A few days ago I suddenly had the urge to re-watch the series.  Does a show from the 90s still hold up today?  Absolutely!  I even found myself learning so much more about what it truly means to be happy! 

If you're not familiar with Mr. Bean, the premise is simple.  A man goes about his daily life and gets into misadventures and hilarity ensues.  Upon watching the series, I would guess that a majority of people would assume that Mr. Bean was a jerk.  I would say they are pretty accurate.  He is fairly self-centered and always thinks of himself.  Despite this, Mr. Bean is a charmingly endearing character and that's because he is a part of all of us.  A part that we are sometimes scared to show or allow ourselves to express.  As much as we cringe at the personality traits of Mr. Bean, we find ourselves being slightly envious of him. 

Mr. Bean lives life to the fullest.  He is unapologetically himself.  He never changes for anyone.  He doesn't try to be someone that he's not.  He makes every effort to be sociable and interact with colleagues (most hilariously with this girlfriend) but ends up failing miserably.  The best part is that he recognizes his failures, but he still continues living his life.  He doesn't analyze his misgivings or his personality.  I think he may be blissfully unaware of his naiveté and that probably adds to his charm.  Despite this unawareness, I believe his is fully aware of his personality and the joy that it brings to himself.  He continues to bring joy to himself no matter what.  He is unapologetically himself.   

He's probably the epitome of "the glass is always half full."  

Isn't this where we want to be in our lives?  Don't we want to be free of fear?  Free of the fear that holds us back from completing our tasks or moving forward instead of backwards?  Don't we want to find the happiness that comes from enjoying who we are and who we want to be rather than what others think?  

Don't be afraid of who you are.  Relish in those parts of you that bring you joy.  Try living your life like Mr. Bean (well except for when he's being rude 😄).