Whether it’s washing our hands, using hand sanitizers or avoiding contact with public surfaces like subway poles or escalators, we go great lengths to minimize our risk of highly contagious and infectious diseases.
But there’s something even more contagious than the bird flu, swine flu or small pox… combined. When you come into contact with it, the incubation period is less than a second. Almost instantly, you’ve caught it – and the likelihood that you’ll pass it on to someone else is nearly 100%. And it’s not something that you’ll see on CNN or Fox News.
So what is this highly contagious mystery epidemic? It’s kindness.
All across the world, people like you and me are committing acts of kindness to friends, family and even strangers. These acts spawn and inspire other acts, and thus the cycle continues and continues without end.
I sometimes think we grossly underestimate our ability to make the world a more loving place. It doesn’t take much. Hold the door open. Help a friend. Smile at a stranger. Give some love where there isn’t any. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, lifts the world up just a little bit higher.
All of us have the power to do that.
December 20, 2011 at 10:54 am
New name! But you all saw how far this got me.
December 21, 2011 at 10:15 pm
I agree with Davey’s message, however, in this cynical age, some view acts of kindness as either weakness in the other or an attempt to curry favor. Yes, practice acts of kindness and do not cast your pearls before swine. For some, kindness is not contagious; they are immune.
December 20, 2011 at 11:01 am
Smiles are contagious too and to smile at anyone will most likely make them smile back
December 20, 2011 at 12:37 pm
I love this! Especially as the good karma comes back to the guy who started the process off
What goes around comes around!
December 20, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Relationships can spiral upward as well as downward. If you have a troubled relationship, try surprising the other person with a kind act or a kind word. I once encouraged a young man who had a poisonous relationship with his stepdad to do something simple like asking “How was your day, dad?” It wasn’t easy for him to do that, but the effect was amazing as their relationship did indeed spiral upward from there. Sometimes all it takes is for one person to find the courage to make the first positive move.
December 20, 2011 at 5:17 pm
My mission this holiday is to talk to the men and women standing by the Salvation Army kettles. I have noted that the folks in our area may be dealing with homelessness, mental illness, etc. themselves. One guy at the Walgreen was bored and when I put a buck in the kettle he gave me a whoop while raising his right arm…I said…brother, that might be the way to get more people to stop by and sure enough, as we were chatting several people came up and said they wanted to see him cheer. This was a Rasta brother in a white as can be suburb and it was wonderful to see the interactions….
December 20, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Davey,
This is so ironic. I posted the following a few days back on your “Compliments for Strangers” blog:
I have a bumper sticker that says “Practice Random Acts of Kindness”. If each one of us was to say something kind to another person, friend or stranger, or to do something kind, each day, just think of how many people would be touched.
It has been said that when you do something kind to another person, that person is also motivated to do something kind for someone else. Kindness becomes contagious.
December 20, 2011 at 7:14 pm
In many parts of the USA, Acts of Kindness can get you a fine and end up in Jail. An example is feeding the homeless.
December 21, 2011 at 3:46 am
@Brandon:
Brandon,I’m shocked !! What benighted places fine,or jail people for feeding the homeless ?!? That’s disgusting.Things are terrible now,and have been for several years.Fortunately,here in Philly there are numerous help groups[Trevor's original campaign started here,and is still going],
but one still feels like a walking ATM,with so many desperate people on the streets.
December 20, 2011 at 9:07 pm
I just got back from the grocery store and there was a little boy, about 9 or 10 years old, standing outside selling real mistletoe for $3.00. I asked him what he was selling the mistletoe for and he said to make some money for Christmas. I handed him $5.00, wished him a Merry Christmas, and told him that I didn’t need the mistletoe. Then he thanked me. To see the twinkle in his eye and the smile on his face was worth much more than that.
Practice random acts of kindness and see the joy that it brings. Kindness is contagous.
Davey, Thanks for everything.
Finding your blog has been a godsend. It has changed my life and made be believe in myself again and I live you for it. Peace Out. 
December 21, 2011 at 10:21 pm
Several days ago, an old gent on a bicycle came to my door and said he needed money to get home to his family. Could he do some yard work for me? I had him rake up some leaves and gave him my last $25. He thanked me and tears came to his eyes. It was the best Christmas gift I could have given anyone.
January 2, 2012 at 2:19 pm
@Davey: Do you know Misha Collins? He is an actor, (/Baker, Candlestick maker, Poet, ex white house intern, carpenter and what not ^^) Anyway this post reminded me of him. He got a project called: Random Acts of Kindness which is basically what you said above. He also raised money for Haiti and then went with a few fans down to personally help the people. (He also organized Gishwes, greatest scavenger hunt the world has ever seen,
)
Anyway your post reminded me maybe you want to google him (thats why I slipped a few other infos in about him
)
Funny side note since this is a gayblog: He even remarried his wife in transsexual cloth… (sorry dont know how to say it other.) anyway he was the bride she the groom. He is a very weird guy but definately interesting
.
January 2, 2012 at 7:09 pm
lately-and not since the holidays are here-some people at unexpected times-have been kind to me.i have to give back.im leery of beggars in the streets-dont know if they are serious or what.ive limited means these days-but ive given to a food pantry and Toys For Tots.lets remember to be as generous and kind to others-lets remember that we still need each other-despite what the politicians and slanted media tells us-or tries in anyway to influence us.