Acts of Random Kindness to You

We have had the good fortune recently to meet Cheryl.

Cheryl was our new pug’s foster mom for a few weeks. What makes Cheryl amazing is not her genuine interest in animals, but that she puts action to her beliefs. Cheryl has an assortment of dogs at her house. Some are hers for life. Many of her personal pets have every sort of disability you can imagine, yet they seem very happy and content. She saved many of them from sure death in pounds or the hands of people that could not and would not keep them. Then, there are the foster dogs. These are dogs that need a furever home like our Harley, but until then they will be treated very well and just like family at Cheryl’s house.

Nothing is too much for any of these dogs. If they need medication or to see a vet then Cheryl sees to it. Maybe they need special sleeping arrangements or to be separated from other animals, then she finds a way to make them at home and as comfortable as possible. She pays for endless things such as spaying, shots, and other needs not to mention food and transportation.
Cheryl is one of a kind. She not only gets nothing monetarily from doing this, but she ends up spending a great deal of her own money on dogs that could head out the door any day. For her, it is a true labor of love. People like Cheryl don’t come along too often, but you know them when you meet them because their kindness shines through.

Kindness comes in all forms and it isn’t just about being kind to other people. If you meet someone like Cheryl, throw a bag of dog food or a gift certificate their direction if you are able. They will appreciate it and so will the animals that they care so much about. You can never be too kind and Cheryl is a fine example. Not only do we now have a beautiful pug, but a new friend as well.   Kindness does matter.

First of all, Happy 4th of July. If you are reading this than I want you to know that I appreciate you and your comments. For me today was one of those days where “Kindness” seemed all around and for no apparent reason. It seemed to just be Random !!

First, I was in the ATM drive thru line getting some money and a man approached. Okay, I am the first to admit that it wasn’t his smartest timing, but alas, he meant well. He had gotten out of his car and wanted us to know that we had a brake light out. I already knew this, but yet began to think about the hundreds of people who have probably noticed it and not said a word. People that were in much better positions to approach me and did not. For whatever reason, this man did and for that I felt fortunate.
After leaving the bank, we stopped at the Farmer’s Market with my mom and dad. As I have said before, my father is sick with Alzheimer’s Disease. Most people that know our family are aware of this and the reactions vary from overly friendly to obviously trying to avoid us. I can respect both approaches as it is not an easy thing to deal with even when you are around it every day. However, I am always grateful as I was today when someone seems genuinely glad to see him and shake his hand. He doesn’t know who they are, but for that moment, he is appreciated for the man that he has always been.

Finally, I want to close with a website that I found today. It is something that I think everyone should take a look at whether you are in need or are in a position to help someone else. Wish Upon a Hero is a website that allows just those types of connections to be made. You can go there and send school supplies to a needy child or you can go and ask someone to help with your needs. It is all based on just good old human decency. Will people take advantage? Sure, maybe some will, but I bet the majority will pay it forward and as I always say, it is easy to make the world a better place with one Act of Random Kindness at a time.

I was reading a little newspaper here yesterday and it had a little blurb about a story from back in 1995. As I am always looking for heartwarming and inspirational stories, it caught my eye. Many of you have probably heard the story, but as for me, I must have been too busy worrying about college to pay attention to the kindness of others in the world.

Anyway, as the story has it, a man got his hands on a million dollar monopoly piece.  It appears that the where and how of getting this piece might have been shady, but that isn’t the heart of the story. So, he mailed this piece to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Can you imagine their reaction to receiving a million dollar donation?

Of course, when it came around to being possibly a stolen piece, you would think that takes the heart from the story. Until, the huge corporation Mcdonalds decided to honor the donation anyways in $50,000 payments each year until it is fully paid.  That put McDonalds on a new level in my eyes and that was truly an Act of Random Kindness.

Sometimes we need to remember that Acts of Random Kindness certainly aren’t apparent at the outset of something we do and they usually aren’t million dollar acts, but every one of them counts in making the world a better place to live. Have a great day!

There are many great organizations, but for me, nothing means kindness like the Salvation Army. I had a fortunate opportunity when living in South Carolina to work at an after school program sponsored by the Salvation Army. They truly do amazing things for kids, for communities, and for those down on their luck.

One thing that sticks out to me is the amount of volunteers it takes to run this organization. There are many people that can’t give money because they are just making it on their own, but that isn’t a problem with so many other ways to give. So, if you are interested in a volunteer opportunity, check out their Volunteer Match Program and see what is available in your area. There is a whole lot more to the Salvation Army than the red kettles.

If getting involved in an organization isn’t your thing, don’t despair as there is more to come and opportunities all around each and every one of us.