“We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness.” -Charlie Chaplin
Today I made a point to be especially pleasant and jovial with a bank teller (after waiting in line for over 15 minutes). The line was outrageously long for a Tuesday at 2:30 in the afternoon and people were losing their tempers, leaving the bank, and being short with the staff once their turn finally arose. I knew that the line wasn’t my teller’s fault, so I made sure his interaction with me one that wasn’t strained or abrupt.
On the way home from my meetings, I was sitting next to woman and noticed her hands were very dry. I took out my hand cream, squeezed a pea sized amount onto my knuckles and nonchalantly asked her if she wanted some too. She was startled but touched at my kindness. She declined, but she wore a faint smile the rest of the ride home. I also noticed a woman who had witnessed me offer her some creme watching me, and when I caught her eye she smiled instead of looked away- like most of us do when we’re riding the subway after a long day.
It’s true… kindness is contagious… even just witnessing it from across the aisle.
the noel project 