I checked in my bag at curbside this morning and suddenly I felt very light.  Not light headed, just light.  Then I realized – oh shoot!  I left my back pack in the cab!  Ok, don’t allow the panic to take over.  My driver’s name was Emile and thank goodness, I had decided to have him come pick me up this morning after he had dropped me off at the hotel on Monday.  We had texted several times in between so I was able to call him.  He answered right away, I told him what was wrong and he says, “I’ll be right there Miss Judy”.  As soon as he could get back around he did, handing me the back pack with a big smile.  He saved the day and I was grateful for his kindness.

At breakfast the other morning, I went through the line, grabbed my utensils and decided to get some oatmeal. I never get oatmeal, but it sounded good.  I took my things to the table where we would be working and almost before I could sit, the kind young waiter sat a spoon on my plate, something I had missed going through the line.  No words, just a smile, and he walked away, quietly surveying the room, seeing where he could anticipate, facilitate and serve his guests.  It wasn’t rocket science, it was customer service in the kindest way.

Now, you might say cynically, that these people were just doing their jobs.  Well yes, but we’ve all seen people just “do their jobs” who didn’t feel the need to smile or be kind.  These mentioned were people who took pride in what they did, sharing small kindnesses to make someone else’s day a little bit easier.  

I’ve seen kindness everywhere.  The young man helping a woman struggling to put her suitcase in the overhead bin, The young woman who stopped a man who had dropped something important.  An older woman who helped a younger woman with a crying child.  Kindness takes a little time, a little initiative, a little caring.  It takes a person who is mindful, not staring at a device, who sees things around them and looks for ways to be of assistance.  And like most things in life, once you begin focusing on something, like kindness, you begin to see it everywhere.

It’s easy to get fixated on the negative, the awful things you read in the media and see on the news.  It’s easy to focus on all the bad that’s happening in our jobs or lives and not focus on the good.  I can’t remember where I heard this years ago, but someone said it takes 2 positives to negate a negative.  And negativity just feeds on itself.  It spreads like a virus, infecting everyone it comes into contact with.  

As a teacher, I have those times when all I focus on are the negative things my kids are doing in the classroom.  The behavior issues, the disrespect, not following directions.  So much so, that sometimes I completely miss the joy and laughter of something silly that is said or done, forgetting that these are CHILDREN and they’re in the process of learning how to be kind.  I was talking to a group of collegiate students a week or so ago about some of these behaviors and what they can do about them.  What I’ve learned over the years is that although I believe with all my heart that music is essential for every child to learn, I also believe that children can’t really learn unless they’re taught how to behave in an appropriate way, how to treat each other kindly, how to put others before themselves and what it means to have integrity and be responsible.  These things are even more essential than my subject matter.  It is these essential character traits, among others, that will get them where they need to go in life.  It will help them get through school, get and keep the job, and it will help them with relationships,  These character traits will get them through the hard times, the times when things seem unfair.  

So, as I experienced these kindnesses this week, from strangers, friends and colleagues alike, I was reminded that I need to model these things for my students and be more aware of those opportunities where I can be kind to others.  I’m convinced that despite what we’re shown through social media and the news, that there’s more good happening out there than they’re telling us.  I see it every day. It just doesn’t make for exciting news I’m afraid.  Today however, MY good news is being shared as I thank Emile for his kindness to a slightly forgetful woman named Miss Judy and I will make sure to pass it on.