Tip # 9 Be kind.
Listen to this blogpost on Anchor https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-Kindness-edm1fm
and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/3sL94yxETtLQdUbxPt8MKf
One thing I really love about Covid-19 is kindness. Everywhere I turn I see acts of kindness. I am so happy to see the words of the Apostle Paul being lived out during this pandemic. "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts and kindness." Colossians 3:12a
*From the beginning, there was a camaraderie in finding grocery items. As a neighbor walked by my house, she heard me telling someone that I needed milk. She told me she had extra from Costco and within minutes she dropped a carton of milk on my porch. A friend texted (after reading the blogpost about my minipanic with lack of Jif-read about that here
https://karensuemurdy.blogspot.com/2020/04/courage-through-covid-19-storm-do-not.html), "I'm at the grocery store and they have Jif; do you want me to buy some for you?" Amongst my neighborhood, groceries have been passed around to those who need it. Out of toilet paper? Someone will drop some off on your porch! Need lemons? Someone will drop some off on your porch! Want some yeast? Someone will drop it off on your porch! Longing for ice cream? (That would be me!) Someone will drop it off on your porch!
*Birthday parades mark these pandemic milestones. Car decorations, honking and hollering, and general merry-making have brought joy during "social-distancing". My son-who declared he couldn't turn 18 since the state was shut down-thoroughly enjoyed his lively drive-by birthday parade by his kind friends who designed signs and creatively decorated their cars. My favorite was the Dr. Pepper cans tied on and jangling behind a car.
*Fences have become billboards of encouragement. "Be the rainbow in someone else's life" is chalked in bright colors on the fence down the street. Cheers for health care workers and other positive messages of kindness and inspiration are posted on fences around town.
*Sidewalks have also become places for encouraging words. As I walk through the neighborhood, many smiles and words of encouragement are etched on the sidewalks. On my son's birthday, his friends delighted us with birthday greetings on the driveway, street, and sidewalk by our house.
*I love the surprises. The day before Easter, we were egged, with 12 Easter eggs full of yummy candy and this sign taped to our door "You've been egged. There are 12 eggs hidden in your yard. Don't be discouraged when you find the empty egg. It is simply a reminder of Jesus' empty tomb-for He is risen." On my son's birthday, "Happy Birthday" signs were left in our yard by a mysterious person. A May Day basket filled with flowers and candies was hung on our front door.
*Perhaps one of my favorite kindness stories, comes from Trader Joe's in Ann Arbor, MI. For years, my sister has shopped at Trader Joe's and has developed an affinity to almond butter chocolate cups. Because she is high risk, she has not been leaving her house, except to go for some fresh air walks. I called Trader Joe's. After discussing my sister's situation, and even though this location does not do curbside, they were willing to do a curbside delivery and they donated the eight tubs of chocolate cups to her. WOW. Even as I write this, their kindness brings tears to my eyes.
*And maybe kindness is wearing a mask when you are out in public places, particularly indoors! Even if you do not want to, it might be what we need to get the economy up and running, to keep people employed, and to protect the vulnerable in our community.
Kudos to everyone who is showing kindness in this Covid-19 craziness! Share your kindness stories to encourage others. How can you show kindness to someone? It might be to show kindness to someone in your own household... playing yet another game with your children. It might be to show kindness to someone living alone...making a phone call, armed with a listening ear and with a joke or funny store to make someone laugh. It might be to show kindness to your neighbors or friends...preparing yourself with chalk or birthday signs or needed groceries.
Covid-19 Challenge: Set a timer for 60 minutes and when it rings, gather everyone in your household to take a one minute walk outside and around a tree or two, each person sharing something for which s/he is thankful now. REPEAT.
(If you are alone, do the same, but text someone what you are thankful for when you come back inside.)
Wash your hands. Wear a mask and do NOT touch your face-especially when you are out of your home (like going to the grocery store). Try to stay 6 feet apart from those not living in your household.
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UP NEXT TIME: Apologizing
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