51 Acts

Amy Shaw wanted to do something different on her 51^st birthday so she decided to celebrate it performing 51 acts of kindness to others.  The News and Observer reported Amy collected bags of unwanted clothing and took them to the area in Raleigh where the homeless gather, admitting she and her girlfriend were a bit frightened when crowds of people started gathering at the sight of big loaded bags. It didn’t take long to discover she had nothing to fear and the donated clothing, which included sweaters, scarves and gloves, disappeared quickly. One man commented he didn’t need clothing, he needed food, so Amy got in her car went to a fast food place and got cheeseburgers and gift cards for more.

Not finished with her “birthday celebrating,” Amy next went to a home where elderly people lived and walked up and down the halls passing out lotions and playing cards, the capped off her day by thinking of her own friends, purchasing each one something she knew they enjoyed.

I’ve seen the bumper stickers advocating random acts of kindness but Amy put arms and legs on that thought. What would happen if each of us did the same on our birth date? How about if we did it twice a year or every month? Could we reduce the size and role of government if we paid more attention to the needs of others? Could we perhaps reduce the crime rate,  maybe even free up jail space? Would this a better place to live?

We spend our days reading and reporting stories of people being mean to people, of bad things taking place and people abusing and accusing. We “sure could use a little good news today”….and Amy Shaw provided it. Thanks.