For those in the Christian faith, tomorrow is Easter Sunday – the end of the 40 days of Lenten sacrifice, the celebration of the resurrection of Christ, and a very important day in the ecumenical calendar. It also marks a period of renewal for people who have been in a reflective space for the past 40 days. Renewal is essential for all of us no matter what the origins of our faith set forth. Without the promise of renewal we can sometimes fall into ruts and lose the focus that is the driving force behind aspiring to reach our goals. The high periods in our lives make the low ones much easier to tolerate.
Although it is sometimes difficult to discipline ourselves to regroup, the world is full of hints that it is a good idea. Tides ebb and flow, dawn follows darkness, and spring makes way for warmth and beauty following cold, dreary winter. There is only so far down something can go before up is inevitable. We should take the time to look at our lives and assess the direction in which we are traveling periodically in order to assure that we are getting where we want to go. There are simple things we can do in the spirit of renewal that will make a huge difference in our lives and the lives of others.
There was a movement not too long ago where people were encouraged to practice “random acts of kindness” and watch what happens. When I lived in Savannah I was a member of a group of people who got together periodically and held discussions similar to a mastermind group and we wanted to participate in this movement to see how it affected our lives. We decided to make a conscious effort to perform at least three acts of kindness for a stranger every day for a month, and then we would get together again to compare notes. I would do unusual things like pay for someone’s meals anonymously at the deli or pay for someone behind me at the gas station. I actually paid a parking bill at the airport once for a man who drove a much nicer car than I did at the time. It isn’t about giving to those who don’t have. It is about giving to others just because. I picked up trash that someone threw on the ground at the bank, smiled at the usually grumpy cashier at the movie theater and wished her a great day, and went out of my way to hold the door at the mall for whoever was coming in after me. As much as I despise the cigarette butts that people thump out the windows of their cars and don’t consider it littering, I picked up some of them from the street in front of my house. I started to acknowledge people whose jobs I usually took for granted and thanked them for making my life better. What I found during this exercise was that my life was generally much happier and I felt more compassion toward others. I also learned that it is very difficult for someone to be grouchy and obstinate toward me when I am sending out smiles and genuine caring for others. Compassion and good will from others started to filter down to me. My life didn’t seem to have as many difficulties as it did before. It was as if I had won the emotional lottery. Colors became brighter, the little things that make me smile seemed to happen more often, and life for me developed a deeper meaning. The little roadblocks to getting where I wanted to go seemed to fall away.
While I am not consciously exercising the three random acts of kindness every single day, I have discovered that the urges to be more kind in general have stuck with me. There is truth to the assumption that people will treat you as you treat them. The person you are actually kind to might not return the kindness, but someone else in your travels will. Outflow equals inflow. Try the exercise and see how it changes your life. This is not to say that everything in life will be hunky-dory suddenly just because you have decided to be a more kind and thoughtful person. The thing to look forward to is that it will put a new face on the entire experience of life for you. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” What would happen if everyone decided to take part? What if your acts of kindness began a wave of exponential kindness in Milledgeville?
Disappointments in life are inevitable. The best thing about them is that somewhere following the disappointment there will be something amazing that will happen to make up for it. Look for the amazing things in life to rejuvenate you and breathe new vision into your ordinary days. My wish for you is that this time of renewal is one that will bring about lasting life changes that you can carry forward and spread to others. Happy Easter. Treat your body and your spirit well.