My fear about the techno generation is that the obsessive screen and on-line communication removes people from reality. There is less face-to-face communication and we can become robotic and soul-less.
And with the sensory overload of information we are exposed to, we tend to miss the small, but significant things in life. We forget the value of the personal touch.
We need to give more of ourselves as a reminder that we are human and part of a community. We need to do more old fashioned good deeds – today known as ‘random acts of kindness’.
But, there is a caveat: what you do must come from the heart. You must do your random acts of kindness with goodwill and a generous spirit.
Start with a simple act. Smile at a stranger. Smile at the till operator, petrol attendant, bank teller and so on. This costs you nothing and if you get a smile in return, your will get this warm, fuzzy feeling creeping into your heart.
Then you can give someone a genuine compliment. Tell a colleague her hair looks lovely, his work is improving, or her organizational skills are impressive.
Never forget to acknowledge people by thanking them, especially family members who we tend to take for granted. Thank your partner for helping with the dishes, or for taking the rubbish out. Thank your children if they keep their rooms neat and make you coffee.
Surprising the female population with a bunch of flowers is a wonderful gesture of appreciation. Sometimes it’s fun to send the flowers for no apparent reason other than you just want someone else to know you love and care for them – not only on birthdays. For men, a bag of biltong and their favourite tipple will also go down well.
That’s just the beginning. You can offer to look after the child/ren of a new mum and give her a deserved break. You can give a homeless person some food and clothing, you can cook a meal for someone who is busy and stressed.
And what you going to find is that these good deeds, that are given in the right spirit, will, in fact, make you feel so much better about yourself and the world. So go on, spread a little love.
