Now That’s Impressive!

/ Ann Coleman

img_4884The older I get, the less easily I am impressed.  Gone are the days when I got really excited by a grand-slam home run in a baseball game, or envy a friend’s beautiful new piece of jewelry, or even believe that winning the lottery would be the nicest thing that could ever happen to me.  It’s not that I don’t enjoy those things anymore, because I do.  (Note to my readers: if one of you ever does win the lottery and are looking for someone to share all that loot, I’ll gladly step up.)  It’s just that I have gotten to the point where I no longer find those things particularly impressive.

More and more, I find myself paying attention to, and often admiring, not so much what people have or what they do, but how they treat others.  It’s wonderful when a professional athlete is able to help his team win an important game, but it’s impressive when he uses his fame to help out a worthy cause.  It’s great when the new company that someone has poured their heart and soul into finally takes off and makes a lot of money, but it’s impressive when the owner of that company uses their money to give back to the community and create opportunities for others to succeed as well.

I especially admire people who are thoughtful and generous towards others when no one is looking and when they have nothing to gain from their kindness.  I will always be grateful to the surgeon who operated on my husband’s knee, because after the operation was over, he took the time to come into the waiting room and not only tell me everything went well, but also to sit down beside me and ask if I had any questions.  I’m sure he had a very busy schedule that day, but he acted as if he had all the time in the world to reassure an anxious spouse.  It was a small kindness, but at the time, it made all the difference.

It’s not always easy to be kind, especially when we are bombarded with things on the news, social media, etc. that make us frustrated, angry and afraid.  And it’s hard to be kind when we’re rushing through our days, trying to keep up with our hectic schedules.  But often in life, what is hard is also exactly what needs to be done.  We may not be able to solve all the world’s problems, or even fix all the issues in our own lives, but what we can do is remember that kindness truly does help make things better.  And to do our best to practice it as often as we possibly can.

And when we are able to be kind, and when we are able to treat others with the same degree of compassion and tolerance that we want shown to us, then that is truly impressive.  Each and every time we do it.

44 thoughts on “Now That’s Impressive!”

  1. Lovely post Ann and so very true. I feel the same way. It’s the little things and the unseen kindnesses done along the way that have the biggest impact. Like that doctor. He really was impressive. Here’s to more kindness in the world!

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  3. I know it’s a cliché to say that kindness makes the world go round (as well as being scientifically inaccurate), but there’s no doubt that kindness is one of those things that most makes life worth living. Personally, I love being around kind people and have never been able to abide mean ones.

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  4. So true, Ann. Why is something that is free, and really quite easy, so difficult for so many? In a way it is rather sad that we need to find kindness so impressive – isn’t it. Why can’t it be the usual? the norm? Do you think there ever was or ever will be a time when it is? All we can do is be that kindness one person at a time. Beautiful post.

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    • I honestly don’t, know, Jodi! I don’t know why it’s so hard for so many of us (and I’m including myself in that), or if we will ever get to a time when kindness is the norm. But it sure would be a wonderful world if we did! And in the meantime, we can just do our part, and know that it does make a difference. Thanks, Jodi!

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  5. Did you ever hear the song Hands (I think it’s titled) by singer Jewel? The lyrics say “In the end, only kindness matters”. I think she sang it for Pope John Paul II. Your post reminds me of this. It’s really true, Ann. Kindness and love are what matters most. Thank you for the poignant reminder.

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    • Yes, I love the words to that song! It is so true, we can’t fix everything but we can be kind and that has a huge impact. I know how much I appreciate it when someone is kind to me, and that helps me remember to be kind to others. Thanks, Kim!

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  6. I love watching people, especially when I’m out somewhere and I’m especially interested in watching the intersections if people in different situations; how they act and react and how they respond to what’s been done or said to them.
    As you’ve said so well, it takes so little effort to perform a simple kindness; a word or gesture can go such a long way in turning someone’s day into something special.
    Our world would be much better place. Thank you for the reminder, Ann.

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  7. It really is quite amazing that as we age we get such a different perspective of life, circumstances, and of what’s really important. It really is the small acts of kindness and generosity that touches the most I think.

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  14. Every act of kindness does have a ripple effect! I was reminded today listening to the radio when they were talking about a big lake here in FL and how there are horrible things happening with algae pollution and all the politics surrounding it. The guy they were interviewing said that while we’re all waiting for the politicians to fight it out we each can go back to the old Earth Day thought of ‘think globally, act locally’ and each do our own part. People forget that we EACH are responsible for our own behavior and acts in this world to make it a better place. It’s not ALL up to ‘someone else’…. xoxo

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  16. You are so right! These days with negativity all around us (think politics!) I am trying to be a little kinder every chance I get and smile! My father used to say, “Courtesy is contagious.” Perhaps kindness could be contagious. Neither can I change the world, but I can do what I can every day where I am. Good post!

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    • Exactly! We can’t change the world, but we can have an impact on our own little corner of the world. And with this year’s election hitting new lows, I am trying extra hard to show kindness wherever I can. It can’t hurt!

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  19. “More and more, I find myself paying attention to, and often admiring, not so much what people have or what they do, but how they treat others.”

    I love that sentence.
    I find that this has become an important part of my life also. Actions speak so much louder than words. And I’m so unimpressed with grand speeches of goodwill, as I much prefer humble acts of kindness. ☺

    “It’s not always easy to be kind, especially when we are bombarded with things on the news, social media, etc. that make us frustrated, angry and afraid.  And it’s hard to be kind when we’re rushing through our days, trying to keep up with our hectic schedules.”

    This portion of your post is so true. The news makes me disheartened at the state of our world today. I rather not listen. Not that I don’t care. But sometimes it’s just too much!

    Perhaps I’m being naive by wanting to live in own little bubble of serenity but it’s the only thing I can do to keep me from becoming overwhelmed.

    There’s just too much daily madness. I need to keep looking for the beauty amid all the chaos or else I too will become mad. I’m a lot nicer to strangers because I’m not forced to be paranoid by what I see in the media. Five minutes of news is all I can tolerate. And sometimes even that is too much.

    Great post. ☺
    Hope you’re having a lovely weekend. Hugs 🌷

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    • Sometimes it seems as if the world is trying to program us to be constantly angry (or at least indignant) and afraid. Like you, I choose not to live that way. I think we do have the ability to make the world a better place just by how we treat each other. And like you, I also limit the amount of time I spend watching the news. It’s just necessary, sometimes! Thanks for the comment, and I hope that you are having a great weekend, too!

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