Aug. 31 - Helping Helps

Day 242 of a year of Kindness

Kindness Ambassador #29, Janet Lee, found that kindness brightened up a gray day.

Yesterday, I was feeling overwhelmed with my life. My friends tried to help me, and my partner, Steve, did his best to cheer me up but nothing could shake my sadness.

I was sitting still when my phone started ringing. It was the Be My Eyes App alerting me that a complete stranger was asking me for help. The Be My Eyes App connects virtual volunteers with visually impaired people from around the world who need help.I answered to a black screen.

“Hello?” I said into the darkness.

The stranger hesitated and then said, “Oh, hello. Could you please help me choose the right setting on my beard trimmer?"

“Of course,” I said. “Except that your screen is dark and I cannot see what you are referring to.”

He said, “Oh sorry, let me turn the lights on.”

(This man doesn't need to turn the lights on for his life without sight. Let that sink in.)

Suddenly, we were working together as a team. Over the next few minutes, Steve and I helped this stranger read the side of his trimmer gadget. We googled the model number of the little machine and then, together, reasoned out how to set it to the right length for him. He thanked us, and we ended the call.

This experience put a smile on my face and replaced hope in my heart - a feeling that lasted all day long.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or down, find a way to help someone else. It doesn't have to be a big thing. Help someone with their cart, hold a door, or sign up for the Be My Eyes app. The feeling you get in return will replace hope in your heart and encourage you to keep on going.

Science of Kindness: Research is firm on this fact: Helping others helps you. Acts of kindness are a natural antidote to stress, anxiety and depression. That’s because an act of kindness reduces the stress hormone cortisol, increases feelings of self-worth and purpose and enhances social connection. #Bekind #kindnessisfree #kindnessmatters #bemyeyes