We are both witness to and a participant in the transformative power of the “24 Acts of Kindness” on the back page of the second section of this paper. Our friend and neighbor has been publishing full page ads on acts of kindness since we began the paper and the response has been overwhelming.
Parents tell us they give the page to their children. Some people carry it with them in their purses. Many have posted them on their refrigerators or mirrors. We came across one that had been posted in a local bookstore near the check out counter. The list inspires conversations that are important.
This list inspires us too. Charles Glassman said, “Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.” We reach for a higher standard of behavior and we often struggle, still we try to measure up to our anonymous friend.
In Greenwich there is definitely an underlying current of hurriedness and stress that is characteristic of communities like ours.
We are competitors; sometimes fierce competitors. We are close enough to New York City to feel its pace in our lives. We want to make a difference and often our home lives, our work lives, and our volunteers lives create a whirlwind of activity that makes it very hard to slow down and take a deep breath.
Against this backdrop, the emergence of “24 Acts of Kindness” becomes a remarkable gesture. It is a gentle yet potent counterpoint to the hurried interactions that make up the bulk of our daily lives.
Each act listed – from holding the door for someone to actively listening to children – is a testament to the power of simple human kindness. We have witnessed firsthand the ripple effects of these actions. The smile exchanged between strangers, the patience in traffic, and the warm greeting to a neighbor not only brighten individual days but also build a stronger community.
A simple children’s fable from Aesop explains this idea best: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Each small gesture of kindness contributes to a larger narrative of who we are as a community.
The converse, unfortunately is also true. Each inconsiderate act or moment of viciousness, no matter how small, redefines our community too creating a new narrative that affects us all.
We have had the privilege of chronicling acts of kindness that have made a tangible difference in people’s lives. They are stories of a Greenwich that is most often generous in time, treasure, and talent.
“24 Acts of Kindness” serves as a reminder that the health of our community is a reflection of the actions and attitudes of each of its members.
Each of us holds the power to effect positive change; both empowering and humbling. It challenges the notion that significant change requires grand gestures, emphasizing instead the cumulative impact of small, consistent acts of kindness.
Consider keeping this week’s “24 Acts of Kindness” – found on the back page of the second section. We hope it inspires you in the same way it inspires us.
