Science teacher Mike Burns emerged from his house and headed to his car for the short commute to his middle school. ‘Wish it were Friday instead of Wednesday, he thought. How can two days feel like five?
Mike’s next door neighbor was already puttering among his prize rosebushes, even though the sun was just rising.
He called out a quiet “Hey, Bill,” so as not to waken any neighbors, then opened the door to the back seat and set his briefcase and lunch on the floor.
“Howdy yourself, Mike!” Bill responded cheerily, raising his clippers in a salute. “’You have a great day now. And just remember: The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese (1).”
Mike chuckled. Bill always had a quick joke or silly quote to share.
“I’ll try to be that second mouse!” Mike quipped, taking his seat behind the wheel, and waving good-bye to his retired neighbor.
As he waited at the first stoplight, Mike found himself sniggering again. Gotta love that Bill—always so positive.
On his way from parking lot to faculty lounge, Mike thought of several colleagues who’d also appreciate Bill’s advice, and smiled again. Yup, they’re gonna love it, he thought.
Early bird that he was, Mike decided to make the coffee. And while it brewed, he straightened up the papers, pens, and other office supplies littering the worktable. With a satisfied grin he surveyed the surprise for his coworkers, then grabbed his mug, poured the first cup out of the pot, and headed to the second floor.
English teacher Angie Thompson arrived next, the teacher who made coffee more often than anyone. But the lounge was already filled with the aroma of a fresh brew.
And look at the table! I’ve never seen it look so neat—and inviting! Angie smiled, already forming a mental list of teachers who might have been so thoughtful. Then with her own cup of joe in hand, Angie walked briskly down the hall to her classroom, invigorated for the day.
Half an hour later, as students strolled in, she found herself engaging with them in good-natured banter. And when the bell rang, Angie greeted her class with an extra dose of cheerfulness and enthusiasm.
The positivity proved highly contagious and as discussion groups got under way, the students responded to each other with more courtesy than usual.
The same phenomenon was occurring in Mike’s classroom too, as partners companionably constructed barometers.
In fact, the atmosphere of good will continued to spread throughout the day, impacting the entire school community by the time the last car left the parking lot.
And when everyone went home, each was surprised how energized they felt—even happier. Hundreds of households benefited from the positivity.
And all because Bill offered a bit of friendly conversation and humor.
_________________________
Now some will say this sequence of events highly exaggerates the results from one small act of kindness. But research has proved:
“Kindness is contagious. It can cascade across people, taking on new forms along the way…One good deed in a crowded area can create a domino effect and improve the day of dozens of people” (2).
No wonder God inspired Paul to write:
Mother Teresa gently expanded on Paul’s instruction this way:
“Be kind and merciful.
Let no one ever come to you
without leaving better and happier.
Be the living expression of God’s kindness:
kindness in your face, kindness in your smile,
kindness in your warm greeting…
Give them not only your care, but also your heart.”
Imagine the over-lapping ripple effect if each of us became the living expression of God’s kindness.
It can start with just a brief, neighborly conversation.
What recent kindness made a difference in your life? Tell us about it in the comment section below!
Notes:
- One of comedian Steven Wright’s famous one-liners.
- Jamil Zaki, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Standford University for Scientific American, July 26, 2016, https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/the-science-of-kindness).
Art & photo credits: http://www.goodfreephotos.com; http://www.flickr.com (3); http://www.canva.com; http://www.flickr.com.)
From the Inside Out 