I confess that I am uncertain whether my attitude is idealistic or cynical, but there is something very disturbing to me about the ads being run by NBC in which Ann Curry encourages viewers to perform 26 acts of kindness in remembrance of the 26 children and adults murdered in Newtown, Connecticut.
Here is the thing that bothers me. Isn’t it a problem if we have to keep count of the number of kind acts we perform? I mean, first of all, shouldn’t we all be performing acts of kindness as often as we can – as in every day? Also, what happens if we do keep count? Are we done being kind when we hit the magic number?
I’m being serious here. The idea that we should set some limit on acts of kindness to me strikes me as being cynical. I would rather suggest that we each commit to becoming kinder people in general. We can each commit to choosing to do a kindness instead of reacting in a negative way to the people and situations that cross our paths during all our waking hours, every day. Perhaps by doing so we will make the difference in the life of someone who might otherwise turn to violence someday out of a sense of alienation and discouragement.
We can dedicate the rest of our lives to trying to be kinder people in memory of the 26 souls lost in Newtown. Or, maybe we should add to our dedication all the victims of mass murder throughout the world and for all time. Maybe we can hope or pray (depending on each one’s personal proclivities) that by being kind to each other, not just today, not just tomorrow, and not just 26 times, but all the time and all our lives, that we will create a safer and more loving world for all of us to live in.
Happy New Year and may next year be a kinder, more peaceful year.