The Underestimated Power of Kindness

It was a bright Saturday morning in the late fall. I had stopped at a cafe' to enjoy a cup of coffee and scan the morning newspaper. Suddenly, I felt a hand on the back of my jacket and heard someone say, "Hey Steve! How ya doin'?"

Looking up, I saw a boy wearing a mechanic's uniform worn by employees of the gasoline station next to the cafe'. He looked familiar, but, at first, I was unable to recall where we had met.

He also held a cup of coffee, so I asked him to join me. Very soon, his story--and probably my coffee--began to thaw out my memory.

Five years earlier, he had been traveling home late on a February night. He still had several of his friends with him. A ferocious blizzard had arrived that afternoon, and by midnight, the snowdrifts were getting deep. He recalled hitting a drift just down the road from my house.

He had walked to my house for help. I had taken my pickup and a towing rope and pulled him out of the snowdrift and up to the highway where maintenance trucks had cleaned away the snow.

This has been a common occurrence here during the winter. I cannot count the times someone has also pulled my car from a snowdrift.

However, it was an unforgettable experience for him. He was only eighteen at the time, and he described how frightened he had been. One would not want to be stuck all night in a storm like that one. Within a couple hours, my pickup would not have made it to the highway.

As it turned out, his memory and account of that snowy night was a very unexpected--and much appreciated--kindness toward me. I thanked him sincerely for stopping to chat during his break.

His memory of our unexpected meeting in a snowstorm brightened my entire day. Since then, we have had several chats over a Saturday morning cup of coffee.

Leo Buscaglia wrote, "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

Such simple actions can indeed have an underestimated power. Many people desperately need kind words, smiles, and listening ears. They need ears that will hear without judging and respond without possessing.

One simple kindness at the right moment can change the direction of a life and shine a light of hope when all light seems to have gone out. Sometimes it has the power to save a life.

Here is a great quote that I keep in my e-journal. It was written by William Penn...

"I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again."

Make today a memorable day by sharing a smile or kind word with at least one other person. It is difficult to estimate the tremendous power and value that the simplest acts of kindness bring. However, they do not stop where they begin. Their underestimated power will continue to bring you a life of joy and memorable experiences.

© Copyright 2005 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life success coach, motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com

---

Happiness. Its Between Our Ears!

Happiness is something we all seek, yet few of us... Read More

Uncover Emotional Secrets and Live a Happier Life

Can you remember a time when you became a little... Read More

Where do we Find True and Lasting Happiness?

For the longest time I was convinced that I was... Read More

Uncovering Your Joy: Using a Personal Journal to Discover a Life Filled with Happiness

Author Tristine Rainer wrote "Happiness within a diary has less... Read More

The ABCs Of A Great Life: J Is For Joviality

Laughter, humor, a lighthearted sense of being - all of... Read More

Conversational Negative Self-Talk

Most people don't even know they're doing it. Throughout the... Read More

Happy Talk and 3 Simple Secrets to Happiness

What is the one thing you want more than anything... Read More

Health, Wealth, and Love

What is happiness? The dictionary defines it as "a state... Read More

Get Out Those Legos

Many of my clients are working harder than smarter. This... Read More

Flowers Truly Reach Your Soul

Flowers are a simple, sincere and unobtrusive way to lift... Read More

Who Is More Likely To Be Happy?

Here's a multiple choice question for you. Who is more... Read More

Authentic Happiness

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE - how to build positive emotions for extraordinary... Read More

Acts of Kindness Benefit Everyone

Do you really want to be happy? Everyone says yes,... Read More

Define Me

We've all had a vision or a great idea and... Read More

Follow Your Bliss

Gail was a quiet, shy, young lady. She has been... Read More

Great Relationship Problem Solving Technique

This is one of my all time favourite problem solving... Read More

Give a Hug for Happiness

Hugs have a long and honorable tradition, going back to... Read More

Living a Balanced Life - The Real Juggling Act

I just read an installment from another self-improvement course that... Read More

Emotional Baggage

We all have them. It has many faces. We carry... Read More

Joy Is Sexy

Joy is sexy because in embracing our joy, we embrace... Read More

The Key To A Problem-Free Life

What comes to your mind when you see someone who... Read More

10 Steps to Happily Ever After

Do you know what all happy and healthy marriages have... Read More

Getting Connected

"The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise... Read More

Laughter and Your Health

Did you know that according to research, children laugh about... Read More

The Art Of Happy Living

What do you think about happiness? A philosophical approach to... Read More

How to Be Happy!

How would you like to have at least an extra... Read More

Why Do We Feel Happiness?

Although many for us strive for happiness in our daily... Read More

7 Unique Ways To Make Someone Smile

Do you want to put a smile on someone's face?... Read More

Happiness Versus Pleasure

We are a pleasure seeking society. Most of us spend... Read More

The Elusive Butterfly of Happiness

Are You Chasing the Elusive Butterfly of Happiness?For many people... Read More

Are You Doing What You Love Each And Every Day?

It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day... Read More

A Bad Hairdresser Day

"Hey everybody!" Hairdresser Lady called out. "It's The Happy Guy.""Don't... Read More

Simplify - and Be Happy

People's lives today are jam-packed with great projects, ideas, to-do... Read More