I was in the grocery store the other day, and a woman knocked a loaf of bread off of a shelf with her cart. Without thinking, I bent down to pick up the bread and replaced it, just because I was the one who was closest to it. I was greeted with a gracious, "Thank you."
As I continued my shopping, I started thinking. Sure, I was happy to have received the woman’s gratitude, but for what? I did almost nothing, and yet what I did was so far out of the ordinary that she met the action with enthusiastic praise. Such a simple act should not be so uncommon.
One of the things that really bothers me is the staggering lack of concern people show for how their actions affect others. It really gets to me when someone won’t go so far as to pick up a fallen object, or step out of the way when someone else is trying to get by.
Of course, I understand that what goes on behind what seems like callous self-centeredness is actually a host of psychological phenomena. Primarily, we see the problems of others as just that: someone else’s problem. I’m just standing here, minding my own business—it’s not my fault I’m blocking your path.
Also, if we don’t get involved in a situation, then we can stay uninvolved. A loaf of bread is one thing, but if someone knocks over an entire display, do I really want to get pulled into setting the whole thing up again?
These are perfectly logical and common rationales for remaining inactive when a simple action would make a big difference. Knowing that these rationales exist, you now have every reason to step around them. You’re not a robot, and these aren’t hard-wired programs. You’re a person with free will, and you can make yourself better.
When you see an opportunity to do something for someone, think about your reasons not to. Then, think about what it would mean to that person if you did.
We rarely put ourselves in other people’s shoes, especially when those shoes are walking through tough times. No one wants to put themselves in a position that’s less comfortable than their own. Nevertheless, if you put yourself into someone else’s situation, you might find that you would really appreciate a simple act of kindness.
Bigger acts—like helping someone carry something when you have nothing else pressing—are terrific. But even simple things, like watching where you’re standing and who you might be blocking, can make the difference between someone making their way through the day or grumbling angrily under their breath.
If you can do it for no other reason, just do it to earn those simple praises from people who really appreciate what you’ve done for them.
