On a Cloud

People may forget what you said or did, but they'll never forget how you made them feel.

The smallest acts of kindness can linger in someone's heart forever.

Those sayings are some of the things that I often find on the feeds of my social media accounts. It may sound cheesy, but I have to agree with that. I have had many experiences with people who have shown me random acts of kindness, both big and small. These things that have impacted me and the person I am today. It doesn’t take much effort to be kind. As someone who has benefited from acts of kindness, I know that a little can go a long way for those who need it. 

The gratitude that I feel for those kind deeds I experienced inspires me to pay them forward as much as I can. It has given me not just an attitude of gratitude, but also an attitude of kindness.

Recently I talked to someone who told me that she was going to do something special for someone. She said she wanted to help because I had done the same for her. It made me stop and think because I don’t even remember doing that for her. It made me realize that these good deeds are special. Why? Because they are often done with no strings attached. Selfless acts that expect nothing in return. 

It was touching to hear that someone was going to do something good for others because I had done the same for them. It was humbling to hear and I was grateful to know. It made me feel that I had done something good at one point in my life. It made me think about the good that we do without expecting anything in return. The acts that we do “just because.” It's those things that often make the most impact on others. 

While it was nice to know that my efforts were appreciated, it isn’t that important. Not to me anyway. I had done good and forgotten about it, but it still had a positive effect on others. 

It gives this little warm feeling in my heart to wonder if I had done the same. If I had done something good at some point that has made someone happy. That thought that maybe I have unknowingly left a meaningful mark on someone’s life. Why do I wonder about that? Because there are people who have done things that I will never forget too. Sometimes it can just be a simple question. Or just a word of support. Things that happen at the right time, at the right moment, when you need it the most. It may feel like nothing, but it can also mean everything.

The world would be a much better place if we were more kind to one another. These days, I know it can’t be easy. It’s hard to know if a good deed would be misinterpreted. It’s also hard to know if someone is being sincere. But it would be nice if we could all be a little kinder and make this world an easier place to live in. I would like to think that choosing to be kind does good not just to the person receiving it. It also benefits the person giving it as well. It makes someone’s life a little brighter to receive, and it makes a person’s heart lighter to give. 

Yes, kindness cannot solve everything. But it would be a good place to start. The fact that we can make someone’s day brighter or change their life with a small act means it doesn’t take much to try. It makes me wonder about all the negative things we can avoid in life if we all choose to be kind. That means being kind even when it is not easy for us to do so. 

Don’t get me wrong. Not all acts of kindness can be life-changing. But sometimes, even the small things can create ripples of people paying it forward. This can lead to even greater waves of positive change.

Yes, we may never remember the details of someone’s actions, but the way the made us feel? Priceless. That’s the power of kindness. No strings, just love. I hope we can make it a part of our everyday lives. The world would be a much better place if we do that.