Thought for the month

March 2010

Random Acts

We often hear the phrase “Random acts of kindness” and, as nice as it sounds, many of us don’t put active energy into how we could make it work in our lives.

I would like to encourage people to put ’random acts’ into action into their lives this month. As Spring is breaking out all over, the days are lengthening at a marvellous rate of knots, and the birds are out singing with joy. Yesterday, while walking Alfie the Wonderdog , I experienced three opportunities in as many minutes to take responsibility for ‘things’ that, on the surface, didn’t concern me.

First, some young people who walked past me hurridly had set off a fire on the dry bush next to me. I rushed over and put it out before it took hold. Then Alfie ‘did his business’ and as I picked it up, I realised that two dog owners had simply thrown their bags on the floor. So I picked them up. Then walking up the hill to the lovely Roman track between Blaise and Kingsweston, I realised another dog owner had left the dog’s business on the track, so I disposed of it. Then this morning at the swimming pool I saw a man who often swims in the lane next to me drying himself with his towel at the side of the pool. I smiled at him and said “Hello, how are you”. I realised he wasn’t British, as, giving me a big smile, he said “Well! You have made my day. No-one ever speak to me here”.

All very simple experiences, but ones that gladden the heart and confirm my connection to nature and human beings. As I struggle with the sadness of certain things not working out the way I would hope, I realise that ‘random acts’ can help me keep my feet on the ground. Try it!