In this current political climate, and the stressful day-to-day we all get wrapped up in, it’s easy to let our emotions get the best of us. We may lash out by possibly cutting someone off on the freeway, hanging up on a telemarketer or screaming obsenities out the car window. So my one simple message in this blog post is to rethink your reactions and just “be kind.” 

I admit, this was not my idea. On Saturday we watched a comedy special on Netflix by Patton Oswald and he opens and closes his set with this simple message. “Be kind to one another.” Simple, but so true!  

So I started being consciously kind in everyday public life. If someone behind me in line at the grocery store had one or two items, I let them go in front of me (even though I only had 4 items in my cart). I held the door open for strangers (both women and men - who were quite surprised actually.) At a 4 way stop, I waved on the pedestrian who had been patiently waiting on the curb with their dog. I asked the Pollo Loco cashier for a large lid for a customer who was frantically looking for one herself. Simple stuff, right?

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As easy as these tiny gestures were, each one ended up causing a smile and a feeling of thankfulness and joy on both sides. (It’s the little things, you know!) You truly never know when this one quick interaction might turn someone’s whole day around. I know for the past 4 days I have felt happier, more helpful and connected with my community. 

Together, we can all make a conscious effort to be kinder to one another and the more we spread these kind acts throughout our communities and neighborhoods the happier and more helpful I think we can all become. So spread the kindness! 

-Crystal Olguin

October 24, 2017