Image: Me, on my scooter with my traveling gear, at the airport in 2014. (Photo by Linda Burnett)
I’m traveling at the moment, and I’m struck again by the power of small kindnesses.
This has been a particularly pleasant trip, made so by the friendly kindness of several strangers. Little things add up over a long journey; we never know what difference it will make to someone that we hold a door, or smile, or simply pay attention.
I’ve been the recipient of many small kindnesses in the past few days. I’ve done my best to acknowledge all of them and let them know I’m grateful.
I’m staying at a hotel where they seem to take the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) very seriously. In my room, there’s the name of a person on staff I can call if something isn’t properly accessible to me. I called him to ask for a different kind of chair, and got it immediately. The room is nearly perfect, and his attention to getting it right made it MORE than perfect. I have already written to corporate headquarters about him, because I frequently stay at hotels in this chain, and this is quite extraordinary. I’d like to see it become the norm.
As we prepare our cheshbon hanefesh this month, our accounting of the soul, let’s not forget the small items. How did I make other people feel today? How did I treat them? How could I do better?
This is good to hear.
I really try and live the Golden Rule.
I especially give additional attention to those I see who may need assistance.
Thank you.
Pamela, I wish you a Shana Tova umetukah, a good and sweet year!