Did people used to be kinder?

I was born in 1950 in London, Ontario, Canada and learned from my mom and dad back then, that you should be kind to everyone. Mom would often talk to complete strangers no matter where she was – on a bus, at a doctor’s office, at the grocery store, or on the street. She had a smile for everyone.

Society in general in 2019 didn’t seem to show that kindness. Was it that the social norms changed? I hope not.

Then along came the pandemic and lockdown. People became kinder and a lot more helpful to all others.

Before the pandemic, people spent more time looking down at their Smartphones and replying to messages than looking up and speaking to people around them. And when they did look up, it was too often to say something unpleasant.

Do they still behave that way now that more people are “out and about” albeit it with masks and distancing here in Canada?

I hope not. My wish is that people remember their kindnesses and helpfulness to everyone.

I had a debilitating stroke in 2005 when I was 55 and have poor balance (among other things) for which I have to use a walker. Since then, I’ve personally experienced the kindness of people – opening doors for me or offering to reach something in the grocery store or to help in general. During this pandemic when I don’t go out since I’m at higher risk because of my health and my age, friends call me to see how I’m doing and if they can do anything to help.

Here’s another example from my life …

My mastermind group sent me a spring flower basket on April 26, 2020. It was a wonderful surprise and I smiled every time I looked at it. When the flowers in it died, I gave the bulbs from them to my brother to plant in his garden and he took the ivy and the pussywillow in the basket and planted them in a pot for me.

I think it’s how you CHOOSE to see the world around you. I see kindness. Don’t get me wrong. I know there is evil too. I watch the news.

I choose to be kind because I can. It doesn’t matter how others respond to it, this is what I choose to do. Because I can.

What do YOU choose?

P.S. My favourite song is Somewhere Over The Rainbow. I believe and know because I’ve seen it, that after every storm is a blue sky and a rainbow. I grew up on Rainbow Avenue. Is that a coincidence?