Kindness rocks. In all its forms be it big or small, random or planned, from strangers or loved ones.

As I paddle through life right now it's more on the kayaking through choppy water side than canoeing on a placid lake. Interesting, challenging, character building, and at times a bit rough. But rather than vent about that, I want to take a moment to appreciate the kindness I've received and witnessed lately.

A few days ago I was working with people on something new before I had been through some preliminary training. Folks were understanding and generous with their patience as I worked through some jumping-from-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire issues. I especially appreciated having gracious patience modeled for me as slowing down is a lesson I can always better learn.

Today I went through the day-long training. I decided to leave home a little earlier than planned (skipping breakfast and coffee) just to make sure I allowed myself an abundance of time to arrive. I had a feeling I would need the extra cushion. And it was a good thing I listened to my intuition. When I got there I realized that the training was in a building that I didn't know where to enter and the building with which I was familiar was locked tight. As I drove around increasingly frantic about now being late to arrive I happened to drive past one of the trainers and he guided me in. We went through our lessons in pairs and I was paired with the last available partner which turned out to be a true blessing.

My partner was wonderful to work with and she helped make some less-than-exciting work more bearable. When it was time to take a break we swapped stories and I mentioned that I had forgotten my wallet in my morning rush and so was going to just step outside to clear my head and freshen up for the afternoon session. My partner repeatedly offered me a few dollars to get something to eat and I demurred. However, she would not take no for an answer and pulled me along with her until we found a spot to eat and she picked up my lunch. Then she insisted I did not have to pay her back.

I think her motives were not entirely altruistic. Since we broke from training in just our pairs, had I gone off to nosh on oxygen she would have been left alone to search for sustenance and a bit of chat and connection that was otherwise missing from our day. But I was so happy to give that and overwhelmed and grateful for her unwillingness to let me slink off to suck it up and pay for my morning mistakes.

Those are just two small examples of kindness bestowed upon me in just the past few days. I can easily think of many more. And I've seen others giving and receiving such kindness that I am awestruck which gets me back on track when I'm tempted to throw a pity party.

What kindness have you witnessed in your world lately? How do you practice spreading kindness in your life?

Related Reading:

Peter Mayhew (husband of Anissa who is recovering from a recent stroke) at Hope 4 Peyton: Support and baby steps

I keep her cell phone on me because it jiggles when she gets an email for some things I just can’t figure out. It jiggled all day. I like it because it’s a constant reminder that people are thinking of us. I’m going to keep it that way for a while.

I asked for someone to lean on….apparently we have the world. And somehow that includes her favorite teen crush of all time….the karate kid, Ralph Macchio. I’ve still got to figure that one out.

You ALL inspire me and hold me up at times. It kind of feels like that moment in Rocky….where he ran alone at first, then the entire city of kids ran behind him later.

Chris Rovzar at NY Magazine Daily Intel: Have You Ever Depended Upon the Kindness of Strangers?

Even if you've only been in New York City a short time, it's likely you've been surprised by one act of kindness by a stranger. For example, when Intel Chris was in crutches for a period of a few weeks, he was always surprised at the way people on the subway would help him out — from giving up their seats to actually holding open car doors as they attempted to slam shut, so that he would have time to hobble onboard. Intel Dan one time witnessed one woman who didn't know her way around the subway take another woman, a stranger who was even more confused, over to the map to help her figure out where she was going. And Intel Jessica had an experience where she left a bag that contained some freshly purchased expensive moisturizer from Bergdorf Goodman on the subway, and was startled days later to find the moisturizer in her mailbox — a Good Samaritan had found the bag, returned it to Bergdorf, and the store tracked her down and sent her the purchase.

This year, we are being more specific: We want you to tell us about the times you've experienced random, surprising acts of kindness or generosity from strangers. These can be moments big or small — anything that jolted you enough to remind you how much you love this crazy place.

Krissa at Halfasstic: The kindness of strangers

He made his way to the front window to settle up before his visit and was presented with a bill for this particular doctor from all the visits while he was in hospital for those two weeks. It was what was left after the insurance has paid it’s portion.

It was a lot.

It was also unexpected right at that moment.

They asked if John could make a payment plan.

He said yes, he’d be happy to do that.

How much?

……..$20.00 a month?

Is that the most you can do right now?

He said, yes, because right now he’s employed and he doesn’t know if he’s going to be released to go back to work before the “paid leave of absence” is up. – He may not be employed after that.

There was a older lady standing behind John waiting to pay and overhearing this whole conversation and she quietly slid an arm past him and laid a twenty dollar bill on the counter, saying, “This is for his December payment.”

Ginna Sesse at MI-Reporter.com: Kindness of strangers

I want to acknowledge the kindness of several Mercer Islanders, whose names I didn’t get. I stepped off the curb and found myself lying face down on the concrete on 77th Avenue. I couldn’t get up....

My gratitude to these “strangers” is immeasurable. Their kindness overshadowed my black eyes and glasses crushed beneath a car where they lay in the street. Mercer Islanders rock!

Stephanie at Salzwedel Family Adventures: The Kindness of "Strangers"

I've recently become "bloggy friends" with a wonderful family from the midwest who is currently living in Italy and adopting from Haiti. Her husband happens to travel to Ghana quite frequently with his work.

I was blessed when she wrote recently to ask if there was anything I had wished I would have brought back from Ghana but didn't. I was amazed by her generous offer and wrote her back to let her know I had bought a Ghanaian clothing item for everyone but myself. She quickly offered that her husband needed a reason to shop in Ghana and that he would be on the lookout for something special....

Jade at chikaustin: thankful day 1 :: the kindness of strangers

Today I am thankful for the kindness of strangers. I received an email just before Chloe was born, in the middle of Craft Hope’s sock monkey project, from a sweet gal named Jessica. An Aussie currently residing in Germany who makes sock monkies and has a super fab Etsy shop selling her sweet creations. Well Jessica told me she wanted to make some monkies for my little monkies and the wee one yet to be born. The day the monkies arrived there was pandemonium, chaos, an uprising. Kids squealing over their monkies, monkies demanding to go to the park, and monkies climbing on the baby. Well go ahead, see for yourself.

Goon Squad Sarah at Sarah and the Goon Squad: I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.

Then I had a glitch with some forms and work and just as I was ready to completely snap I checked my e-mail and there was a message from a lady I barely know from my pre-school summer camp.

She said that she had helped out at the camp yesterday and she had such a great time with the kids that she would be happy to just take my day for fun.

The tone was infectious. She had such a wonderful time playing with her four year old at school that she couldn’t wait to help out in his class again. In addition, I now have a desperately needed extra day this week to get ready for my trip.

I’m not in a bad mood anymore.

I wonder if she knows that she literally made my day?

Mocha Momma: One Small Thing. One Small Purse.

As I walk into work each day the poverty of my schools’ students is never lost on me. Yet, I watch some of these students who come from more than difficult home lives continually come to school where they want to learn. Even more impressive is that they come to school and help with blood drives, canned food collections, and other community service events even when they themselves are in need. It is not lost on me that they are themselves inspiring to the adults who gladly work with them. In a million years I didn’t expect to have a career that I loved this much. The things I get to witness and the growing I get to watch astounds me.

Burgh Baby's Mom at Burgh Baby: I Still Have Her.

Silence enveloped the room as each person individually came to their own conclusions as to why a gift from a stranger had wound up under the tree. At last, the awkward moment was interrupted by my grandma, "Go ahead and open it, honey."

The Modern Gal: Witnessing a random act of kindness

That's when the lady in front of me, probably in her 40s and now in the front of the line, smiled and turned to the other lady and said, "You can go ahead of me."

"Really? Are you sure?" the other lady asked with clear gratitude on her face.

"Of course. I have three kids, I completely understand."

Lori Deschene at Seeing Good: Do You Practice Kindness on a Daily Basis?

4. Remember kindness is contagious and addictive. Many times when you act with kindness it comes back to you. When it doesn’t, you’ll still feel blessed. Positive intentions–and their ripple effect on your self esteem and state of mind–are greater than any validation you could get from someone else.

BlogHer CE Maria Niles also attempts to practice kindness at PopConsumer.