One of my goals for 2025 is to write more often, so I’m going to give the wonderful Slice of Life prompts from Two Writing Teachers a try. I don’t know how often I’ll be able to join in, but I’ll most certainly give it my best shot!
The challenge this week is:
“to think of an unexpected kindness, big or small. Recall a time when someone showed you unexpected kindness. What was the situation, and how did it impact you? Or perhaps a time when you showed someone else unexpected kindness—how did it feel?”
Thankfully, my life has been filled with moments of unexpected kindness, both big and small, and I’d hazard a guess that most of us can say the same. Just this morning, for example, my coworker brought in some of the mango gummy candies that she knows I like, and left one on my desk for me. It was a sweet little treat on a cold, snowy, busy day.
We’re surrounded by so many acts of kindness and consideration, if only we stop to notice them. The coffee shop barista drew a little smiley face on my coffee cup this morning. A lady held the door open for me as I exited the coffee shop. A patron helped me pick up the books that slid off my shelving truck. One of my coworkers thanked me for helping them with a task, and another brought in a tray of tiny cupcakes for everyone to share (and even made sure they were nut free, so I could enjoy them too). Little moments, none of them particularly memorable in and of themselves, but part of a general spirit of goodwill, and a reminder that my actions matter, too, and can have a positive impact on the mood and well-being of others.
The world is a big, dark, scary place sometimes. A smile and mini cupcakes can’t change the state of things, but they sure don’t hurt, either.
Have you experienced any small acts of kindness today?