A call to kindness

Are you a kind person? Are you thoughtful? Do you truly think of others in your everyday life? This has something that's been weighing heavily on my mind lately. I've seen so many examples of general unpleasantness lately that it's starting to be discouraging. Just today, I've been honked at twice (just for being on the road, I guess), witnessed a library patron yell at the girl behind the counter about an overdue book, and checked out at a store where the cashier never actually spoke to me. I feel bad for these people; are their lives really so unpleasant that they've forgotten how to be friendly?

Maybe it's just me, but I try to consider the feelings of others when I act/don't act. Is that a novel concept? If it is, that makes my heart sad. How hard is it to be considerate?

• In a conversation, stop talking for just a second, and let the other person have a moment to speak. Your stories may be important, but other people may just possibly have something to say, too.
• Smile at a stranger and say hello.
• Keep up with your family and friends. Do you know about your friend's latest date? What about Aunt Sally's test results? How's BillyBob's job search going? It amazes me how many people don't know these sorts of things about their loved ones. Make the time!
• If the person behind you in line has fewer items, offer to let them go ahead of you.
• Pay someone a compliment, and then watch their face light up. {Last week, I told the greeter at Wal-Mart that I liked her headband. She grinned, and we talked for a few minutes about how she'd made it herself out of elastic, a fabric flower, and hot glue. She thanked me, and said I was the first person all day who had spoken to her. It only cost a few minutes of my time, and made her smile. How easy is that?}
• Leave a comment on a blog you follow, or officially become a follower. It might just make someone's day.
• Mail a card or letter to a friend. Snail mail is underrated.
• Remember birthdays and other special dates. Heck, write it down if you have to! No excuses there.
• Call up a friend or family member. Show them they're important enough to give up some of your time.
• Be sensitive and polite and use common sense when in a conversation with someone.
• If you're in a really happy mood, pay for the person in the drive-thru behind you. {Check their car first to make sure they're not driving a van full of hungry kids :)}

I think we would all benefit from stepping outside of ourselves a bit and thinking about how to make someone else smile. What about you? Do you think common decency and consideration of others are vestiges of the past? Do you make a conscious effort to be kind to other people? What do you do? I'd love to add to my list of ideas.

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest today!