Towards the beginning of the last Spring semester, I was rushing out of my dorm room, running late to an interview I had for a prestigious extracurricular organization on campus. I was stressed from a series of unfortunate events that decreased my time to eat, get ready and leave. My mood worsened as I stepped outside and spotted storm clouds hovering above. Living in Hume and trying to reach Matherly, I either had to walk straight there or take the bus to the Hub and then walk the rest of the way. I started for the bus stop, and it started to rain. As I was in a pantsuit with my hair nicely done, I lacked an umbrella, rain jacket and any other means of shielding myself from the storm.
I entered the bus freezing cold and drenched in water. As I sat on the bus, a stranger who I had never meant complimented my blue suit and asked me if I was attending a meeting. I told her that I was going for an interview and she wished me luck. When we both got off the bus, she offered me a space under her umbrella and walked with me close to my destination so I could arrive less soaked than I would have otherwise. While I sat and waited for my interview, I smiled knowing that someone I had never met expressed this kindness towards me. She took the time in her commute to ensure that a stranger reached her destination less wet. I subsequently entered my interview energized and joyful, touched by the act of generosity that had just occurred. I still do not know anything about the person who shared their umbrella with me outside of the fact that they were headed to a similar area of campus to me that day. Nevertheless, it remains one of my favorite anecdotes from my first year of college.
It is too easy to get so caught up in our own day-to-day activities, anxieties, and actions that we fail to recognize the capacity we have to give back. A prevailing misconception is that altruism must be exercised on a large-scale. Often, people think that they need to engage in widespread acts of service to make an impact within their community . While collaborating with non-profits, helping with service events, or donating to an annual drive are ways to make a difference, they are not the only avenue to help others. Through our everyday habits and interactions, we can help better someone else’s life, even if for a moment. This could be through holding the door for someone that has their hands full, picking up papers that someone dropped, returning a lost item to its owner or complimenting someone for a new haircut. Even the small act of smiling has been found able to lift one’s mood through the release of neuropeptides. These are simple ways that each of us can make a difference that, even when small, can dictate the trajectory of someone’s day.
Something that I try to remember throughout all my daily interactions is that everyone has a story. They may be experiencing hardship, mental health concerns, devastating family circumstances or other challenges that have extensive personal impacts. However, they could be masking it with a positive demeanor. Knowing this, I try to spread kindness and compassion even when talking with others in passing. This ensures that I am leaving a positive impression on others, even if I do not know the struggles that they might be facing. After all, possessing knowledge of those circumstances is not required for respect and compassion to be given. When people feel comfortable enough to open up about the challenges in their life, empathy (the ability to understand things from another person’s perspective) is vital. While we all have different experiences that shape us into who we are, we also have the ability to understand the emotions of others. Trying on other people’s shoes to learn their perspective is one way to help others feel seen and understood. This spurs connection and compassion, uniting individuals of different backgrounds and situations.
Overall, living with kindness is one of the easiest ways that we can give back on a daily basis. By seizing opportunities to express kindness in our daily lives, we not only uplift others but foster a culture of compassion, understanding and interconnectedness. Whether it is through volunteering, small acts of service, empathetic listening or extending a helping hand in times of need, the capacity to make a difference lies within each individual. The impact of our kindness can resonate far beyond the immediate moment, shaping the course of someone else’s day and even their outlook on life. You truly never know the effects that offering an umbrella to someone in a rainstorm can have.
by Susan Rossano
UF PRISM 