When I found out that August 25th through 31st is Be Kind to Humankind Week, it touched a place in my heart.
The creator of this awareness week was inspired after seeing a newspaper story about two boaters who did not assist a boater in-need as they passed by. Be Kind to Humankind Week has been observed since 1988.
Recently, I have become more aware that kindness, in general, is becoming a lost behavior among society members as a whole. Personally, I’ve had two telephone conversations with customer service representatives in the last week where their phone skills left a little bit to be desired. I hung up the phone and thought, ‘wow, did that really just happen?’
I worked in office settings from 1984-2005 where I spent 50% of my time answering phone calls for my employers and interacting with clients. I cannot imagine ever treating people with the attitude I’m often the recipient of these days. And, it’s not just there. It’s in the fast food lane, the grocery store line, and the backed-up row of cars in the construction zone.
It’s all around us. Why?
I can’t speak for eve
ryone obviously, but I think many of us are so painfully busy that we don’t allow ourselves to take the time to extend kindness to others. It’s a sad reality, but I believe this to be true. We are running from one thing on our to-do list to the next, struggling to catch a breath in-between. We have a sense of tunnel vision as we try to get from one place to the next and often are oblivious to the faces around us. Sometimes, our own family members get our less than best. I’m also inclined to think the summer months and holidays are probably the worst times for people feeling additional pressure on their shoulders.
While conversing with individuals over the phone who are portraying less than stellar customer service, I often dig out my sense of humor and try to give them a bit of joy in their day. Let’s face it. Sometimes a bit of laughter helps me feel better and shake off a stressful situation. I like to make people laugh and smile. Many times I get a laugh in return. But, in one of the calls from last week, I didn’t even receive a slight chuckle. Talk about awkward. Seriously, y’all. Nothing. I said, ‘wow, you’re a tough nut to crack. You don’t laugh very easily do you?” I asked. What did he say after a very extended sigh? “No ma’am, I don’t.” And that folks is how we ended the call.
So, rather than dwelling on our negativity and lack of kindness, lets jump get back to Be Kind to Humankind Week.
Several websites share information on this topic and helped me learn more. I also learned from sites like this one that the creator of Be Kind to Humankind Week picked a specific theme for each day of the week. Admittedly, it left me inspired.
- Motorist Consideration Monday
- Touch-a-Heart Tuesday
- Willing to Lend a Hand Wednesday
- Thoughtful Thursday
- Forgive Your Foe Friday
- Speak Kind Words Saturday
- Sacrifice Our Wants for Other’s Needs Sunday
Isn’t it a little bit crazy that we need a specific week scheduled on the calendar to bring our attention to being kind?
I actually like the notion of being more aware. It’s a BIG reminder for me of something I should be doing every single day anyway. And this week, I’m making a personal vow to slow down in my day to day activities.
I want to smile at more people, even when they don’t smile back. I want to let someone go ahead of me in the grocery store line. {I already do this often and people act so surprised when I do.} I want to let a car that took a wrong turn in ahead of me. And I want to do all these things with a cheerful heart. Not just because it’s a week highlighted in August.
