Simple Acts

At the start of the day whenever I go past a certain school near me there is a gentleman there generally directing parents, teachers and children where to go whatever the weather and he waves to those passing by in their cars, now it doesn't matter if they are there to drop off/pick up or just driving through he always waves and I find myself missing it when he is not there. It always brings a smile to my face. We don't know each other, I do not even know his name and yet it is one of the things I look forward to, that simple acknowledgement makes my day. A smile, a wave, a quick hello costs nothing but can mean everything to the recipient. In this current climate that we live in these simple acts are even more important, giving to those who need what you don't or simply acknowledging they exist can mean everything.

There is a game that I play on my phone where you also collect cards as you go and then you advance to the next stage, now my extras I freely give to those who need them, I don't need them anymore so why keep them and yet there are many on there who refuse to give what they have spare unless they get something for it, a trade of some description, when did we become such a 'what's in it for me?' society. It saddens me that this seems to be becoming more than norm of late and I've had trolls angrily turning on me when I question why they feel the need to have something in return, after all you don't give to a charity expecting them to give you something back do you? I don't see people asking their local priest for a refund of their donations because the big Guy didn't send them the winning lotto ticket this week as they'd asked for. So to me it seems nonsensical and sad. I almost feel sorry for them that they go through this life with that much anger, resentment and this I don't give unless I get mentality and makes me wonder what made them like that? We can't change the world anymore than we can change someone else's opinion of us if they do not want to listen and look at things from another perspective but we can perform simple acts that might just bring a smile to someone else's face or even more importantly keep them alive.

I have heard many tales from others who suffer with their mental health that it was a simple hello from a stranger or a how are you from a friend that has stopped them from ending their lives because they felt seen, they felt that they mattered. Sometimes it is enough just to know someone else sees you even for the briefest of moments. Simple things like people telling me how much they enjoy my poetry or that they got something out of it means the world to me because it meant that someone took the time to notice me, to notice my work. This year I chose to return to a previous passion with travel which has put the smile back on my face and a spring in my step once more so another thing for me now is it could be a simple recommendation to use my services as a travel advisor (something I used to do long before I became a nurse) or popping along when I am out and about with my home made gifts business just to say hello, all these little things mean something to the recipient.

These last few months has really opened my eyes to the world around me, the good and the bad but I choose to do more good than bad, I choose to help where I can and expect nothing in return, not just because I became disenchanted with the fact that my actions are not reciprocated but because it just wasn't me. I am not that person who expects a trade off and I hope that others know that simple acts which cost nothing can mean everything to someone else and that is what ultimately matters.

Until next time

MJ