One Million Acts of Kindness
Published: March 6, 2010
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Dear Editor, I was inspired by an article I read in a publication about a 54-year old man liquidating his assets, buying a bus and traveling back and forth across the country with his dog Bogart - pitching "One Million Acts of Kindness" - mostly to college students and senior citizens. His plan is to take the next 10 years and encourage people all over this country to perform acts of kindness, with the goal being one million. That’s 50 acts of kindness every day for 55 years. Daunting you may say, but every act does not have to be the equivalent of rotating the tires on your elderly neighbors’ car. He suggests smiling and greeting strangers or picking up garbage (I’ve been doing that twice a day when I walk my dog for approximately six years). Dog walkers (hint, hint); or perhaps letting someone with only one item ahead of you in the checkout line; or picking up someone’s paper (or Pennysaver) that is in the rain and putting it in a dry spot; or holding the door for someone carrying packages, using a cane or in a wheelchair. The list could be endless. I witnessed a young man over the summer perform an act of kindness that really impressed me. I was sitting in traffic at the Vestal Four Corners intersection (for those who are familiar) in the pouring down rain and watched this woman who was completely soaked - standing, waiting for the light to change so she could cross the street. She kept pushing the button on the pole, apparently hoping that would make the light change sooner. Many people were sitting at that intersection - watching, feeling sorry for her - but what could we do? Then a pickup truck passed us all on the right, pulled up next to her, and the driver - a young man - jumped out, ran around the truck and opened his passenger door for her and offered his hand to help her in. She looked confused for a second, then smiled and got in. I wanted to cheer. Now, his momma raised him right! What a wonderful world this would be if every man, woman and child started trying to perform as many acts of kindness as they could, with their only reward being the smile on the benefactor’s face, or just knowing that you are doing a good thing. Then - maybe - we would qualify as the Kindest Town in America! Sincerely, Nancy Brown Owego, N.Y.
