On Knowing Kindness

I know there is kindness in this world.

When we went to pick up the table, a craigslist score somewhat nearby, we realized it was far heavier than had been anticipated. Our four small hands weren't going to be able to carry it as easily as we'd hoped. As we stood there, uncertain but trying to figure out the best way to lift it, the man we had just bought it from offered to carry it home for us. A few blocks in, our attempts at "helping" proving to be fruitless, he sweetly took the whole thing on by himself. A perfect stranger, who had no requirement to help us, the money already tucked into his pocket, spent his time and energy getting our new table home.

I know there is kindness in this world.

When we arrived at the apartment only a block away from mine, his smiling face came to greet us. 'Come on in! Come check it out first.' He escorted us in and went over a few things before helping to carry it out. His wife had just given me her brand new, virtually unused bicycle. For free.

I know there is kindness in this world.

She walked me past the doorman, chattering about moving back to Australia. 'Here they are, I carried them downstairs for you. Since you're taking a cab, let's make the price lower, save you that cab fare home.' For no reason, another perfect stranger was looking out for my best interest, putting my needs before her wants. As I finally hailed a cab, after standing outside for what seemed like forever, the weight of the chairs bearing down on me, a woman pushed past me and caused a ruckus, hollering about 'racist' cab drivers and causing my beautiful savior of a cab to leave. Defeat. But then, a kind, older woman, gently patted my arm and gave me the most loving look. Another cab came quickly after.

I know there is kindness in this world.

It was nearly 3 am (again) and the second night in a row of a heart-stopping quest to save this dog. The red tape at the ACC is almost as horrible as the actual shelter and it felt impossible - except for that spark, that light. Her emails and texts had been coming in on and off throughout the day, the passion of love for another living creature. He had until 3 pm the next day. At 2:59 the following day, her text came through, just a few simple words: 'I got him!!!'. It would have been easy for her to close her eyes to his picture, turn off the feeling in her gut, distract herself with other things. But instead, for no logical reason at all, she did literally everything she possibly could and in doing so, saved his life. She saved his life with one minute to spare.

I know there is kindness in this world.

It's hard sometimes, isn't it? To remember, to keep our eyes open for the good that filters in around us. Lately it seems like it's one thing after the other that could break your heart in half, into quarters, into pieces, into tiny little bits of nothing. The pain that pulsated through the country last week was palpable and loud and strong. When we see the faces from Connecticut, it's hard to remember. When we think about the hurricane and how so many are still displaced, struggling, it is hard to remember. When we look at things happening around the country or at civil rights or at animal cruelty or at a never-ending list of things, it is damn hard to remember. I've always felt things strongly - I used to say "I feel things too much" as though something was wrong with me. I felt like the sadness and pain and anger that was all over the world was trying to all fit into my small body. Now I think I feel exactly the right amount of what I should feel. I realize how crucial being sensitive and vulnerable is to not only my craft, but my life, and I feel lucky to have that ability. And even luckier yet, being able to feel the depths of the sadness around me, comes from the very same place within me that allows me to feel the limitless depths of the beauty and light and love and kindness around me. Human beings need each other. We need each other. Be the light for the people in your life. Go out into the world every day and ask how you can serve others and then do those things. Look into the eyes of the people you're speaking to, put down your phones. When I realize I know more about what's going on with my favorite bloggers than with my favorite humans, I know it's time to check out of the internet for a little. A conversation, a hug, a question, a smile are all life changing superhero powers we all possess. It's easy to dismiss these thoughts as hippie-dippy, as 'unrealistic', and so on. But I believe. I believe in the magick that floats around us and I believe in the magick within us and I believe in the kindness in this world.

I know there is kindness in this world.