Food for the soul

I know a lot of us have been taking good care of ourselves. Body-wise, we are updated on the latest beauty products that would maintain or improve our looks (how to keep our skin clear, how to lose weight, how to make that make-up last). We dress properly to make sure that our appearance is pleasing to others. Health-wise, we invest heavily on food and supplements that will keep our body in tip-top shape. We embark on a diet, we exercise, we want to avoid diseases. We take on a healthy living lifestyle.

But let me ask you: What have you done lately to take care of your soul, and your heart (and I mean figuratively)? As much as we take care of our bodies, we should also give enough attention to nourishing our inner selves.

One foolproof way of nourishing our souls is what we call random acts of kindness. Smiling at a stranger…treating a street child to fishball…opening the door for another person…telling your officemate what a ray of sunshine he is… Such simple ways to touch other people and in return make us feel good about ourselves. Note that what I am stressing here is an act toward others, not ourselves, that can make us spiritually refreshed. More importantly, kindness is something better passed on than repaid; that is, when someone shows you an act of kindness, it is better for you to pass on an act of kindness to somebody else. And to top it all, most acts of kindness are free, and kindess is contagious!

It Couldn’t Hurt
by Sandy Ezrine

Random acts of kindness–huh! It couldn’t hurt.

I told my husband I love him. It couldn’t hurt.

I packed a note in my son’s lunch box telling him how special he is. It couldn’t hurt.

I opened the door for a lady in a wheelchair at Walgreens. It couldn’t hurt.

I left a box of cookies for the mailman. It couldn’t hurt.

I let someone go in front of me in the grocery line. It didn’t hurt.

I called my brother to tell him I miss him. He misses me too!

I sent the Mayor a note saying what a good job he is doing. It couldn’t hurt.

I took flowers to the nursing home. It couldn’t hurt.

I cooked some chicken soup for a friend who is sick. It couldn’t hurt.

I played Candy Land with my daughter. It was fun.

I thanked the person who bagged my groceries. He beamed.

I gave my assistant the day off with pay. It only hurt a little.

I played ball with my dog. It felt good.

I invited a woman who doesn’t drive to lunch and to a movie. I enjoyed myself.

I got a massage for me. It felt marvelous.

Random Acts of Kindness–hmmm, maybe I’ll live this way all year. It couldn’t hurt.

So try it! Refresh your souls and see how good it feels.