KINDNESS - DO IT, FEEL IT

KINDNESS - DO IT, FEEL IT

It was just another usual Sunday. I had to attend a seminar, & had left for it in the mid-noon, which means it was scorching hot- as we all know the Mumbai Summers.

The seminar was conducted at a place which required me to change trains in between. As I got down from the train & reached the other platform where I would b getting the next train, I looked at the indicator which displayed "Expected Arrival Time: 15 mins".

I glanced around for a place to sit- standing for a whole 15 minutes would have made me sweat excessively in that hot humid weather. (& exhausted too as I really had a bad back ache that day).

So, I looked around & there was no place on any of the 2 benches near the ladies compartment. I made a face & started looking for a fan (a working fan- which also actually gave some air- both conditions are equally important & independent of each other- trust me!) as that would atleast be partially relieving.

So I looked around for a fan.. & again dropped a look at the bench which was nearest to me.. One lady had just gotten up, & so I took a step forward.. But another man- maybe in his 30's plunged forward & took the seat.

Feeling depressed (& after throwing him a nasty look for taking the seat near the ladies comp), I realised I will have to stand the entire- no, the remaining 12 minutes.

But suddenly, a strange thing happened. A guy, maybe in his mid-twenties, who was sitting at an adjacent bench, looked at me. He had just seated a few moments back (yes I had seen him doing that). He looked at me, got up from the seat & left. Maybe he didn't have to take that train or wanted to go to the other last end- which actually didn't matter to me- as the moment I saw the 'vacancy', I rushed to the place & sat down. Haaashh- such relief!

After a minute or so, when I looked around, I saw the guy standing- a bit away from me.

I was curious. Why would a person get up- like leave his nice airy seat & go stand in the humidity. When there were a whole 11 minutes for the train to arrive.

Just then, I received a call &  thus got busy over the phone- getting completely engrossed in the gossip that my Friend was updating me with. Meanwhile, after a whole 10 minutes, the train arrived. As I got up from the bench to board the train, I saw the same guy boarding the very same train- exactly from where he was standing all this while.

& that was when I realised it- he had gotten up, merely so I could get a place to sit down.

It made me feel really touched. Such acts of kindness instantly put a smile on your face & make you feel- special- happy.

 

Was there actually any need for him to do that?

So many of us do not posses the courtesy to give up our seats even for the oldies. So many of the men do not posses the manliness to get up when they see a lady standing. How many of us have seen a pregnant lady standing in the crowded local, but we, inspite of being women, were heartless enough to not get up & give her the seat? How many of us have told our boyfriend to get up from beside us , when seated at the benches placed on the platform at the ladies compartments? How many of us have gotten up ourselves when seated at the "reserved for senior citizens" seats in buses, without expecting the other person to vacate, instead of us?

I m sure many have- but I m also sure that most of us haven't.

So the next time, show some kindness- it not only puts a smile on the other persons face for a long long time but it also ends up gaining goodness for you.

I do not remember how that guy looked- but yes, everytime in future I witness a similar situation, Il definitely remember him. Because his Act, created a good memory for me, no matter how remote. & Il always smile when I remember it. Not just that, il also do, or make-do similar acts in future. & all this will definitely bank up his good deeds too.  Its all indirectly related you see...

Because, a single act of Kindness throws out roots in all directions... & the roots spring up & make new trees.

& remember, its always good to feel some kindness, but it feels even better to be the kind.