No act of kindness is ever wasted
LAST week I went to a beautiful talk on kindness given by Tracey Piggott organized by the Wexford Chamber of Commerce in which she shared stories about moments of kindness she had experienced in her life.
Some including the kindness the late Gay Byrne showed her when he interviewed her on the Late Late Show changed the course of her career and life by opening doors to new opportunities. Others were more personal and touched her deep inside, and others inspired her spirit when she saw people showing deep care and thoughtfulness to others – especially when they were willing to sacrifice what they had to help others.
She shared one powerful moment when witnessing a food distribution in Ethiopia–A needy girl that received biscuits shared them her friends. She did not have much, but she was willing to share what she had.
After a career in aid work, I have seen this type of incredible kindness many times. Once, I visited a household in rural India. Families had very little to eat but what they grew. A family welcomed us in and gave us tea with plenty of sugar–sharing two of their most prized items they used their very scare cash to purchase. They had little but were willing to share it. I still remember their eyes, their generosity and how they made me feel.
We all have our own stories–our own special moments when someone lifted our spirts when we needed it most. When someone saved us from being cynical or bitter by showing consideration when the tide was going against us. Or when someone touched our hearts and made an ordinary or even stressful moment uplifting.
Kindness is defined as ‘ the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate’. The great thing about it– is that as well has having a direct effect on others, it has a positive impact on the giver too. It makes us feel good.
As we enter the season of Christmas and good will it is a good time to be reminded to spread a little love and consideration. There are many ways you can express it. Most of them cost nothing. We can thank someone. We can open a door. We can lend a helping hand to someone doing the dishes. There are many ways.
This week, two good friends gave up their Sunday to help me with some home reorganizing. They put their heart and soul into it and helped me do something I would not have been able to do myself. A friend shared a kind moment she experienced: ‘I was rushing and struggling with a shopping basket full of groceries and a young man came up asking if he could help. He went outside of the shop to get a trolley and helped me put items in it which truly touched me’. She is single and later regretted not asking for his number!
We can be kind – in so many ways – At work we can show kindness if a colleague is looking stressed or out of sorts. We can offer to help, or we can simply listen to them so they can feel heard and respected when under pressure.
We can show kindness to strangers, acquaintances and to loved ones. As long as we are dealing with others there are opportunities.
‘No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted’. Aesop
We don’t need to plan big acts. By being in the moment, we can see where others are struggling and need a little help, support or encouragement and give that to them.
For dessert you can get a gluten free pudding or cake from The Foods of Athenry Merry Christmas range. They’re very tasty. Or you could make your own. Patrick at the shop made a delicious gluten free and vegan pudding for our festive tasting. He said it was easy to make and the recipe got the thumbs up from customers.
The main thing if you’re not used to having a guest who is coeliac is to keep all the food, utensils, and equipment separate. While it’s not a life threatening condition, a person with coeliac disease could be very sick if their food is contaminated with foods containing gluten.
Your vegan guest will be easier to please than you think.
You’ll find plant based roast turkey, Torforky, in the freezer at your local health store it’s made from plant based foods. A nut roast is easy to make, or choose a readymade one made by Thank Goodness, also in the freezer.
Use a dairy free butter in your stuffing. You could cook a separate tray of roast potatoes in vegetable oil if you prefer duck fat yourself. For dessert there are amazing vegan chocolates and ice-cream available.
You can make a delicious cream for desserts made from tinned coconut milk. There’s even vegan jelly available.