Kindness Reflection

Jesse George

Professor Mark Palz

English 121

1/27/2019

Response to Podcast

                Upon listening to the two podcasts on NPR I was initially thinking well, I am a nice guy and I am kind this should be easy. While it was easy to do, the more I paid attention to reactions of people or how kindness is perceived. How such a small act of kindness can transform into much more than that.

                First thing I noticed was how easy it is to be kind. Something as simple as holding a door open for someone else or saying hello and asking someone how their day was. Giving a complement is another example. This can-do wonders for people attitude. Can turn another person’s day around. The reaction is so rewarding. Putting a smile on someone’s face or just making them feel a little better about their day. You never know what kind of day someone is having or what kind of internal struggles people are dealing with. A small act of kindness can change one’s outlook of a day because of one simple action or compliment. This can carry on from you holding a door open for someone, then that person holds the door open for another person and so on. The world needs to spread kindness and be more helpful to each other. Keep everything positive and positivity spreads, keep everything negative and positivity has no room to shine in.

                Another thing I noticed during this assignment is how many different things can be a kind gesture. Most of the day was me opening doors for people, asking how their day was going and minimal interaction. More of a in the passing kind of situation. When I got home, I got to do a couple different acts of kindness such as cooking dinner for everyone in the house, helping my sister out with her car, and helping my mom with tasks around the house. All these acts and minor things all come back to the same theme of kindness. Helping others and being an ear to listen does way more then it seems it would do on the surface.

                Now while not everyone expressed gratitude there were only a few individuals throughout the day who shrugged off or ignored the act and carried on with their day. I do not feel bad about this though sometimes people have a lot on their plate and have off days it happens to all of us. Also, sometimes there are just those grumpy people who you cannot satisfy no matter how hard your try. If at the end of the day I can hold my chin high and be able to say I did my part and I can not control other people.

                While most reactions were very positive there were a few who did not show gratitude for whatever the reason may have been. After thinking about this for as few days I am still unable to understand how this assignment asides from being a better person and communicating has anything to do with English or literature in general. Had a wonderful time with this task though.