Random Kindness

I began attending services at Christ Church of Oak Brook back in late November,  and have got plugged in there faster than anywhere I've attended so far since back at Willow Creek in the early-mid 1990's.  Went out for lunch after the service today,  with folks I've met since November.  It's still very cold today,  as this harsh winter that will not end is doing just that.

Random acts of kindness can make or break a person.  Some people are lonely and waiting for someone to reach out.  Others are angry,  and waiting to be calmed.  You can't plan a random act of kindness. 

Acts of kindness are not thought highly of in our me-centered and self-indulging culture.  In our blind pursuit of elegance and comfort,  we have all but forgotten about random kindness.  We are in such a rush to get from here to there,  we don't have any time for anything other than ourselves.  Our technology has only further increased our breakneck speed of life,  and we now get angry and impatient with any wait more than a minute,  including a download or internet connection.  We are an anxious,  exhausted,  burned out society,  more now than anytime in history.  We have no time other than our relentless pursuit of more,  but more of what?  Enough is just not enough,  but what are we looking for anyway?

In other countries I have traveled to,  time is all they have.  Life in Haiti and Africa is devoid of modern technology and convieniences,  but people seem to be much more happy and fulfilled than us Americans are.  Yes,  their life is hard too,  but they seem to know how/when to slow down.

This week,  take some time to slow down,  catch your breath,  and choose kindness.

What's Next - Kindling the Kindness

Normally on Thursday evenings I participate in a Bible study small group down in Naperville,  but just heard the traffic reports,  and both highways I use from Schaumburg to Naperville are totally gridlocked with traffic,  snarled by this evening's rain and fog.  At least it's not snow,  we'll get more of that here next week.  It's the 4th time I have had to miss out on attending these meetings due to bad traffic.  So now I once again find myself with an open Thursday evening

So - I'll use this time to think,  ponder,  and pray about where I should travel to next.  I did travel to Haiti about 3 weeks ago to hang out with orphaned children,  and also visited a slum,  which was very eye-opening.  Kindness will hopefully be re-kindled soon. 

What is Kindness?

Kindness is compassion to the fullest extent.  It's not thought very highly of in our self-indulging culture,  but is greatly respected by everyone.

Let's bring back the kindness!

Shiver Me Timbers

If you live in the Chicago area like I do,  I bet you are shivering right about now.  The city is in the icy grip of a record cold wave that sent last nights temps bottoming out at -22.  The stiff wind makes it feel like around -41 at this time.

Imagine that you are homeless,  wandering the streets of downtown Chicago,  just looking for somewhere to warm up.  You already have gotten frostbite,  and now in danger of hypothermia.  You enter an establishment,  but are quickly kicked out.  You finally find another establishment and enter.  This time no one seems to notice you,  except for a man sitting a couple of tables away from you.  He approaches you,  a McDonald's gift card in hand,  and hands it to you.  He wishes you a great day,  to keep warm,  and exits.

You are taken aback by this random act of kindness.  Normally the patrons will avoid you or ignore you.  You walk up and order some food with the gift card,  and finally nourish your hunger pangs and the warmth of the place.  When you feel you are ready to brave the cold again,  you head out into the biting winds,  albeit this time with a full stomach.

The above scenario is hopefully played out every day in Chicago,  as well as other large cities and metropolitan areas.  A random act of kindness can go a long way.  In fact,  it will be remembered for days by the recipient. 

How about a random act of kindness?

Feeling the Cabin Fever

Have you ever felt cooped up?  A little blah?  Antsy?  If so ,  I can identify with that about now.

Chicago is now in the midst of one of it's worst weather sequence of events in nearly 20 years.  Began with an 18-inch snowfall on New Years Eve into New Years Day,  and also Jan 2.  We were hit again on Saturday evening/night Jan 4 with almost 6 more inches,  and still snowing as I write this about 10:55AM CDT Sun Jan 5.  Adding to the misery will be a record cold snap this evening through Tuesday (Jan 6-7) when it will drop below 0 and not get above it until Wednesday.  Looks like will be home bound for a couple more days here.

But looking ahead,  the kindness-spreading will ramp up once again.  Will travel back to Haiti later this month,  and spend time loving on orphaned children.  These kids don't know what they don't have.  If you were to give them a video game or an iPhone,  they would not know what to do with it,  and likely will get rid of it somehow.  It's their lifestyle of simplicity.

Spread some kindness this week

Journey of kindness resumes in 2014!

Just realized it has been exactly 1 year to the day since I last posted,  but beginning now will send updates more frequently.  The kindness-spreading will begin again in 2014 and will not stop,  so stay tuned,,,

Well,  another year has come and gone.  Has it been good,  so-so,  not so good,  or a downright horrible year and you can't wait until midnight on Tuesday when we'll ring in 2013.  For me,  it was mixed,  some high points,  some low points,  and everything in between.

I know folks who have had a banner year in 2012,  and others who had the worst year of their life.  I (and I hope you are too) looking forward to a great 2013,  the year where kindness will make a comeback.

I know you probably seen the news,  on TV or the newspaper.  The seemingly senseless massacre in Newtown, CT a few weeks back.  Why would someone want to kill innocent schoolchildren?  Someone in need to receive some kindness.  Normally I take news as it comes,  but this incident bothered me.

What kind of 2013 do you hope to have?  If you had a great 2012,  just carry it over into 2013 on that high note.  If 2012 has not been kind to you,  and for many of you that was the case,  what changes will you make as we welcome this new year in just about 40 hours from now? 

As we charge headlong into this next year,  remember to always choose kindness!

Happy New Year!!