Everyday Kindness: Four Teens, Four Elders, One Heart
Andy Smallman
Seattle, WA, USA
Amazing
Four Teens, Four Elders, One Heart
“The barista waved to us and we walked out, united in what felt to us was an act of superhero proportions.”
For over 20 years I've facilitated kindness classes and throughout this time, it seems, participants in the classes have most enjoyed and felt good about those kindness actions they completed anonymously. One of my favorite kindness stories comes from when I was facilitating an in-person intergenerational kindness class in a Seattle retirement community. The class consisted of elderly residents and teenagers. We met weekly to chat about kindness and, more importantly, to complete a group action.
One day, one of the teens suggested we go to a nearby coffee house and anonymously pay for the coffee of a random stranger, someone who arrives at the counter, orders, only to find her/his drink has been paid for, a kindness act familiar to most people interested in the subject. I was a little nervous about this as I had not taken any of the elders outside of the retirement community before. But the enthusiasm was palpable and, I dare say, contagious. I checked with the Activities Coordinator, a woman I greatly admired, knowing full well she wouldn't try to stop me. So off we went, walking about 5 blocks to a nearby Starbucks. There were probably 9 of us who went, 4 teens, 4 elders, and me. We were pooling our pocket change as we walked, planning who would say what, and trying to figure out how we all could inconspicuously sit in the coffee house in order to see our unknown recipient receive our intended kindness. Can you picture it, 4 teens, 4 elders, and me trying to be inconspicuous in a small Starbucks? It was probably 2:30 in the afternoon - an odd time to be out.
In we went and up to the counter our chosen representatives went, a teen and an elder, with a couple of dollars in loose change. They tried explaining the idea to the barista, who at first didn't understand. But after a second or third explanation, she got it and broke into a huge smile. I still remember the line she was supposed to tell the recipient of our kindness upon presentation of the drink, "You have been the victim of a random act of kindness."
Meanwhile, the rest of us had tried fitting around a small table as far away from the counter as possible but still within eyesight of it. The two rejoined us and we didn't have long to wait. In walked a person and up to the counter she went. Around our table we tried hard not to stare, each of us individually excited, the collective excitement seeming to scream out our presence. It went down just as you'd expect it to, the person ordered her drink, was told it had been paid for and that she was a kindness "victim." At first she didn't seem to understand, then took a second to see if it was some kind of joke. Assured it was legit, she accepted her drink and with a warm smile she walked out of the store. All of this took less than two minutes. Upon her exit, we exploded with happiness.
The barista waved to us and we walked out, united in what felt to us was an act of superhero proportions.
The elders seemed younger and the teens wiser. It wasn't 4 teens, 4 elders and me any more. It was 9 people.
The Daily Kindness Digest #160
Kindness Quote
“Too many people miss the silver lining because they’re expecting gold.”
Maurice Setter
Act of Kindness
Offer a co-worker a ride home. You just might make their day, and save them the trouble of arranging a ride!
Positive Affirmation
I am my biggest cheerleader! While others may doubt me, I know what it takes to reach the top!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #159
Kindness Quote
“How simple it is to see that we can only be happy now, and there will never be a time when it is not now.”
Gerald Jampolsky
Act of Kindness
Pat someone on the back today! A little praise goes a long way
Positive Affirmation
I wake up everyday with a positive outlook on life. I can change my future by changing my attitude.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #158
Kindness Quote
“Every day is a new opportunity to be grateful, and enjoy the world, and improve it — in our own little ways.”
Terri Guillemets
Act of Kindness
Give a little love to the environment today! Offer to join a neighborhood cleanup effort or even better, start your own!
Positive Affirmation
I remind the people I care about, that my life wouldn’t be the same without them! Letting loved ones know you care is a great way to keep them close!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #157
Kindness Quote
“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”
Norman Vincent Peale
Act of Kindness
Call a family member today and reminisce about a happy memory the two of you have shared. It will bring a smile to both of your faces!
Positive Affirmation
I am not afraid to take on any challenge! I can overcome any obstacle on the pathway to my success!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #156
Kindness Quote
“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”
Albert Camus
Act of Kindness
Invite a coworker to go out to lunch today. Getting to know each other outside of the work environment can build a stronger friendship and everyone needs a break once in a while ?
Positive Affirmation
I am HONEST! I am honest with myself and others instead of hiding the truth!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #155
Kindness Quote
“How can something bother you if you won’t let it?”
Terri Guillemets
Act of Kindness
Ask a stranger how their day is going and really listen for the answer. We all have the need to be heard ?
Positive Affirmation
Everyday I do something for myself! Every once in a while I need to make time for ME!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #154
Kindness Quote
“Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time.”
Betty Smith
Act of Kindness
Be considerate, and wait for a person to finish speaking instead of interrupting. Sometimes we have to listen to understand, not listen to respond!
Positive Affirmation
I am always true to others. Trust builds relationships!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #153
Kindness Quote
“Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open.”
John Barrymore
Act of Kindness
Take one of your hobbies and transform it into a source of kindness. If you like to write, write poetry to spread kindness. If you enjoy baking, whip up some cupcakes and donate them to a local soup kitchen.
Positive Affirmation
I am grateful for my friends and let them know that I am thinking of them. They hold a special place in my heart!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #152
Kindness Quote
“I don’t think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains.”
Anne Frank
Act of Kindness
Scroll through you contact list on your phone. Call or text the first name it stops scrolling at just to ask them how they’re doing. Keeping in contact with people is a great way of staying in touch with people you normally don’t talk to on a daily basis.
Positive Affirmation
I enjoy my own company. I take time for myself to reflect upon my life and be thankful.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #151
Kindness Quote
“Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it.”
Jacques Prévert
Act of Kindness
Donate old books to a library or a book store! Share the adventure you just finished with someone else!
Positive Affirmation
I love to smile! A smile is the universal language of kindness.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #150
Kindness Quote
“A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.”
Douglas Pagels
Act of Kindness
Help a coworker today! Feeling overwhelmed can be so isolating. Sometimes just knowing someone has your back can ease a lot of stress.
Positive Affirmation
Help a coworker today! Feeling overwhelmed can be so isolating. Sometimes just knowing someone has your back can ease a lot of stress.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #149
Kindness Quote
“Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.”
Janet Lane
Act of Kindness
Thank your postman or woman today! In this world of technology, it is so easy to forget good old snail mail. Someone is working hard to make sure you receive important communication that is not on a computer screen ?
Positive Affirmation
I look for the beauty in someone else. We are all beautiful in our own special way.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #148
Kindness Quote
“Joy is not in things; it is in us.”
Richard Wagner
Act of Kindness
Say something nice to someone today. Whether it’s someone you know, someone you love, or a complete stranger, your positivity can change their day!
Positive Affirmation
I have FUN! I make sure to make time for me to enjoy life instead of only focusing on the stresses of life!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #147
Kindness Quote
“Oh, my friend, it’s not what they take away from you that counts. It’s what you do with what you have left.”
Hubert Humphrey
Act of Kindness
Be a bit more optimistic! You’re responsible for the energy that you bring into a room or situation!
Positive Affirmation
I am patient instead of jumping to conclusions! Sometimes, time is all I need to solve my issues!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #146
Kindness Quote
“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”
Jack Layton
Act of Kindness
Show a child how to perform an act of kindness today. Kindness can never be taught young enough!
Positive Affirmation
I’m not afraid to ask someone for advice instead of ignoring my issues! The best way to solve a problem is to face it!