Friday, July 8, 2011

Kindly Notice This

When I was getting my morning coffee today and pondering what “N” act of kindness I could blog about, I noticed that the woman who waited on me had gotten a new hairstyle since the last time I was in the shop. I commented how nice it looked.

It was one of those things that I very possibly could have missed by being stuck in my own thoughts and not even noticed. That was it! Notice starts with “N” and it can be kind to notice things--- like someone's lovely new hairdo. So I committed right then and there (in my head, not out loud, that would have been weird) to make a point of noticing things today.

I noticed that a young woman I met, the sister-in-law of a friend, had a beautiful smile and I told her so. I noticed that the woman in the store was very helpful when I was trying to find a specific item and I told her so too. I noticed that the man in the big SUV was trying to merge into traffic ahead of me so I let him(extra notice points here, because I think I subconsciously am biased against people in big SUVs). I noticed a piece of trash on the ground near my car at work and I picked it up and threw it in the dumpster. I could go on with a few more things I noticed, but I suspect by now you've got the point.

I'm also aware that it can be unkind to notice things. Do you tell someone you notice their shirt doesn't match their pants? That you DON'T like their new hairdo? That they have spinach in their teeth? OK, that one can go either way. Perhaps this can be explored more fully in the ABC's of Unkindness. But for today, I noticed with kind intent.


1 comment:

  1. I also enjoy noticing special things about others too! I sometimes try to make a special point pay a sincere compliment to an older person, usually about their clothing. I might say, "that outfit looks really sharp on you." I also enjoy complimenting someone on their smile.

    BTW, I also give you extra KUDOS for the SUV kindness gesture, I must admit that I sometimes feel the same way. I also have tried to make a point to do something kind for someone whom I would naturally be bias against. I think that it is important to confront my bias, because they are unjust most of the time.

    Great job!

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