On Sunday afternoon we decided to head out for a little jaunt in our neighbourhood to drop off, and potentially pick up a few books from local book boxes. (We’ll need some reading materials for our upcoming plane rides.) We toodled around a few blocks, enjoying the birds and warmish weather. We were on our way home when we spotted 3 girls (about 11-12 years old) knocking on a neighbour's door. Gayle secretly hoped they were Girl Guides peddling those delicious chocolate and vanilla cookies. Paul, in full grandpa mode, thought for sure someone needed help.
As we passed the house, the girls started walking towards us. We were not expecting what happened next.
“Excuse me,” one shouted. We were greeted with big smiles and an enthusiastic, "Hi, I'm Sarah, and this is Emily and Grace and we're starting a company. You don't have to join it, but you can if you want to. It is all about spreading kindness."
Wait, what? Three girls are walking around our neighbourhood on a Sunday afternoon, knocking on doors, spreading kindness?
You can only image the size of the smiles that donned our faces, and the conversation that ensued.
Before we could secure our spots in the kindness company, we were both complimented on our bright jackets. Wow! These three were super genuine, and had good taste! We were then asked if we were having a bad day, to which we replied, "We were have a great day, but it has just gotten even better by meeting you three." We small talked a bit more, giving encouragement for them to continue their mission and then left owners of the Company of Kindness, quite speechless because of huge smiles.
As we walked back home, we were a bit dumbstruck. Did that really just happen? Usually, when out walking, we have to go out of our way to get people to even make eye contact when we pass them on the sidewalk, let alone stop, smile, speak and compliment us.
This brief but powerful interaction reminded us that even with the state of the world, people can choose to focus on the negative, or, like these three young people, choose to make the world a better place.
We have joined the Company of Kindness. Will you?