Saratoga News

Remember to try a little extra kindness next week

By Louise Webb

The U.S. Congress proclaimed the week of Feb. 8-14 to be Random Acts of Kindness Week. And the Saratoga City Council was scheduled to proclaim Friday, Feb. 13, Random Acts of Kindness Day at its meeting Feb. 4.

Former Saratogan Wil Glennon promotes Random Acts of Kindness through bumper stickers that read, "Practice Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty." He also continues to publish books on the subject. One of his books states: "Most people try to fulfill obligations in life by doing their fair share of chores and supporting and comforting their families and friends, but these deeds are expected of us. When we make the extra effort of being kind when we aren't required to and surprise someone, that is a Random Act of Kindness."

Being kind can make you and others feel better, and it doesn't always have to take a great deal of effort. For instance, it might be as simple as remembering the importance of often telling loved ones you love them or praising the grocery clerk for doing a good job.

Last year, the gates weren't working properly at the Prospect Road railroad crossing. Two teenagers got out and held the heavy gates up for a long time on a cold, windy day so cars could continue moving across the tracks. A Saratogan told me how impressed she was with these teenagers as she watched them from her car. She said she viewed teenagers in a different light as a result.

We can also develop kindness rituals that are comfortable for us. Clareen Dunivin voluntarily does tap-dancing routines with her group of dancers for hospitals and senior centers. Another friend likes to make soup for new neighbors or friends who become ill. Pat Bortle takes a woman who no longer drives to church daily. When Pat's car broke down, the woman's son was thrilled to help Pat out and fix her car. Saratoga High School Spanish teacher Renaldo Rodriguez is getting the community involved through his Cultures of the World Club International Foodfest, and plans to expand the program.

The good news is that it is not too late to start--or restart--cultivating kindness. A simple kind gesture could mean more than you will ever know to someone else. Of course, we should always do acts of kindness, but I remind you to keep the week of Feb. 8-14--and particularly Friday, Feb. 13--for doing a little extra kindness and being even more aware of other people's needs.

Louise Webb is active in the Saratoga community and is a former Saratoga News columnist.

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