Sometimes the kindness of others surprises me.
I was waiting for the elevator with my neighbor making small talk. She asked if I was going to the 2nd level which in our unique building is the ground floor. I said yes I needed to take what I was holding to the trash. She offered to do it for me. I thanked her and was surprised.
On my way back to my apartment I considered about the neighbors that I have experienced in New York. They were friendlier than the neighbors I had in suburbs in Chicago, and friendlier than other places I have lived as well.
Why am I sharing this? Kindness of others should always be recognized because it is not easy to do. It takes sacrifice and a dedication to empathizing and trying to be of service to others. That is always prosocial and worth rewarding.
I think I shared in an earlier story that I once witnessed a bus driver being kind to an older person who had difficulty. A few days later I was on the same route and the same bus driver was there and I spoke with him. I told him that I had seen the kindness that he had done with the old lady and he was touched that someone noticed. He didn’t consider it a big deal, but kindness is always a big deal. I wonder why we as a society don’t reward random acts of kindness in a big way?
One thing is to be kind, and the other thing is to thank and reward people who are kind. Not because they are expecting it, but because it makes the world a better place and encourages selfless behavior. Life can be beautiful if we all do our part.