Being kind to others is very important, not just because it’s something we all need, but also because kindness brings people together. National Random Acts of Kindness Day is an important day because it encourages people to be kind to each other. Caring acts lead to positive reactions in both the givers and the people they are kind to.
Over the course of my life, I’ve been very kind to other people, and they do the same with me. There are plenty of kind acts I bestowed upon them. These two are prime examples of how compassion can attract positive attention within yourself, as well as with others.
On July 16, 2018, my friend Giulia and I went to swim in a lake with the rest of our camp. Unfortunately, we got a strange tickling feeling in our ears after going down way too deep. A nurse checked us out, and it turned out that Giulia had mild swimmer’s ear. I was so concerned about my friend that I took her to the infirmary the following day. Another nurse examined her and declared that she was fine. Giulia thanked me for helping her.
On November 18, 2018, I set out on my way to a dinner party with my friend Russell. As soon as I set foot in the subway, a train arrived. The passengers disembarked, but an elderly woman got stuck in the doors and tumbled out, striking her head on the platform. There was no time to think, so I did what I had to do. I called 911, and five brave firefighters came to the wounded woman’s rescue. Afterwards, I told Russell I was going to be late because I had to help the woman. He understood, and I was proud of myself for making the right choice at the right time.
There were other good deeds I did, like helping a woman carry her baby stroller up the stairs, singing to my grandmother on her deathbed, and comforting my mom after Grandma passed away. My family has also done wonderful things for others. For instance, my late grandfather fought for his country in the Second World War, my parents gave food to their neighbors, and my mom once performed CPR on a man who fell down the stairs in the subway.
In addition, many people were kind to me. When I was three, I accidentally scalded my leg in boiling stock at my dad’s restaurant. When my parents rushed me to the hospital, one of the doctors, Dr. Finkelstein, tended to my leg and gave me soft toys to play with. Ever since that day, I’ve loved going to the doctor. Another time, my camp friend Judy comforted me when I was sad about missing my grandfather, who was a special part of my life, as well as my family’s.
I saw random people display acts of kindness, too. One example was when I went to Six Flags with my camp. A little girl stumbled and fell to the ground. As the child cried, a man dressed as the character Rocky the Raccoon helped her up and comforted her.
There are five ways you can be kind to others:
- Feel empathy for them
- Give them help when they need it
- Act fast in case of an emergency
- Put the other person’s needs before your own
- And share your feelings with them healthily
Kindness is something each and every one of us needs, which is why we need to be kind to others every day.
Jacob Waltuck has enjoyed working in the Arts + Culture and Marketing Departments at the 14th Street Y. He also enjoys acting, visual art, and theater, and is involved in employment support programs through JobPath.