Apathy: The Kindness Killer
This morning I held the door open for a couple as they were walking into the coffee shop that I was leaving. Neither one of them acknowledged this gesture. I wasn’t doing it for the satisfaction of a thank you but it doesn’t mean that a little verbal gratitude wasn’t welcome. It seemed cold and apathetic to me that they would act as though someone didn’t just do something nice for them. Some might view it as acting expectant of my kindness, but I really feel it’s more along the lines of indifference. They could care less if it had happened or not. What if I had intentionally closed the door in their faces and made them open it themselves? I’m sure I’d see a reaction then, but a negative one.
In an entirely different instance a few weeks ago, I ran into Target to pickup coffee and creamer. (Why do all my stories involve coffee?) It was supposed to be a really quick in and out trip but people were back to school shopping and every lane was packed. I got in what I thought looked like the shortest line. Two ladies were ahead of me and had three buggies full of stuff between them. I decided to wait patiently. What was I really in a hurry for after all? Just as I had accepted the situation for what it was one of the women asked me to step in front of them since I had just a couple of items. The other woman said, “I was just about to ask him that myself. Yeah, get in front of us.” I gladly took them up on the offer and made sure that they knew how grateful I was for their kindness. I thanked them once again as I walked away from the check out and I could tell that they were just as uplifted by the exchange as I was.
I believe it’s in our best interest not only to be kind but to acknowledge kindness in others. Think about how many people potentially abandon courteous behavior because it wasn’t reciprocated or merely acknowledged. It’s seems childish but even when an act of kindness is done with the most sincere intentions we still hope for some fulfillment by way of appreciation. When that doesn’t happen we take a small hit emotionally. A lot of small hits will eventually add up to a big hit.
Make a point to thank someone openly when they do something nice for you. It could be their last attempt before giving up on kindness. It’s a cruel world and the nice people are few and far between so don’t be discouraged when your kindness isn’t acknowledged. Just be that much more inspired to be a kind and compassionate person.
