Seen the news lately? Let me guess – you saw ‘highlights’ of recent thefts, rapes, kidnappings and more than likely a dash of murder as well, right? Well I’m sorry. Sorry that you had to sit through half an hour of hearing about how the world is on a highway to hell and that we’ve all got first class tickets to the premier screening. I’m sorry. I’m not saying that the news should be a dispassionate roll-call of the day’s events in no order of size, significance or scale, but I’m just sick of hearing about how sh*t everyone is to everyone else all the time. It’s depressing.
But then there are occasions that come along, with the rarity of an inspired England international sporting performance, when we get to hear something good. We get to hear about how some people out there aren’t looking to steal from/assault/kidnap or kill each other. Wednesday 8th Feb was one of these rare days for me.
Ryan Garcia, an ordinary guy living in Chicago, has promised to set a (future) example to his 3 month old daughter to help her to “appreciate what she has and strive to give back to those around her.” But how? Ryan has committed to performing a random act of kindness for a stranger, friend or family member every day for the entirety of 2012 and then blog (and micro blog) about what acts of kindness he performs to help inspire other people. He’s called this project 366 Random Acts Of Kindness (it’s a leap year, silly) and I think it’s awesome.
Ryan’s not claiming to be able to solve everyone’s problems – he’s not Jeremy Kyle Jesus – but he’s trying. He’s helping. And I can’t help but think that he’s inspiring.
And for those of you thinking “oh but he’s smarter than me” or “well yeah, if you’re rich it’s easy to do nice things” Not true – look at Donald Trump. But seriously, something nice doesn’t have to be huge or expensive or time consuming – some of the things Ryan’s been doing have been as simple as sending a letter to a soldier in Afghanistan; playing with older cats & dogs at The Anti-Cruelty Society; writing a "Thank You" Letter to a Former Teacher or my favourite, putting change in washing & vending machines.
Y’see? It’s not about the amount of money you spend – it’s about the thought behind it. I know this is a tired and tested cliché, but in the immortal words of another hero of mine, Jack Kerouac, in Big Sur: “all clichés are truisms and all truisms are true.” Well said, Jacky boy.
So - *hippy alert* - I think we should all take a leaf out of Ryan Garcia’s book blog, and do something nice for someone else today. And tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day. And the next day. And the next day. And the nex…well, you get the idea – I think we should all just try to be nicer to those around us and maybe, just maybe, we’ll start to see a few more smiles on the way to work or on the street or in the coffee shop…y’know? Yeah? Good. Thanks. Done.
Oh, and if you’re short of inspiration or ideas, then follow his blog or follow him on Twitter and start recreating some of the acts of kindness for the people around you…
Just a thought…
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