Random Acts of Kindness

Available for 28 days

Good Morning. Today it’s the Random Acts of Kindness Day. One pillar of the Sikh faith is “seva” which means selfless service - doing something without expectation of receiving anything in return. There are many examples from the lives of the Sikh Gurus which can be extraordinary in terms of their level of service and sacrifice. And while these are very aspirational, I love to hear stories from ordinary people in these times who offer small acts of kindness that can also have a large impact. Recently a story went viral about a Sikh postman in Australia. He was delivering a package to someone’s house and noticed that it was starting to rain. As the owner was out, seeing there were bedsheets on the washing line, he went into the garden, took the bedsheets down, carefully folded them and put them out of the rain. The owner of the house arrived home to her parcel being delivered as expected, but then finding that an unexpected service had taken place. She later saw on her security camera system what had happened. This story gives me such joy as it’s something very everyday in our lives - hanging out the washing but the heavens open and we aren’t home to take it in. It’s also the case that in these times, if feels that life keeps getting busier, that time is moving faster and we can each feel under increased pressure to manage the tasks of our own day. Dear God, as our hearts can be vast in their capacity to give, may we ask for our eyes, often busy or narrowly focused on our own business, to see more widely and notice things around us. I pray to remember that a small act of kindness can change someone’s day but also how it contributes to a much bigger service that keeps the heart of humanity ever expanding in its generosity. Sat Naam