Living and Loving it: Commit to small acts of kindness

I watched the movie Have a Little Faith some nights ago. It is an old movie and not necessarily Oscar material. Also, it does tend to drag at the start but after a while, it settles into an interesting pace. It’s certainly funny to see Laurence Fishburne with a huge afro. And there are some interesting one-liners in there. It is not the kind of film you will want to watch again and again or that will leave you replaying scenes in your head. But it might get you thinking about life and why we bother with the things we do.

I do like to give people lifts to get to where they are or nearer to the destination. I do not do it all the time – especially when I am in a hurry and need to get somewhere fast. But every once in a while, I do stop for the old mama dressed in fine livery and having to walk on a dusty road, or the worried woman rushing to the clinic, to take her three weeks old, who has malaria. There was also the man with his son who were both smartly dressed in suits heading to church on Sunday, as well as the young mechanic, who was nice enough to give me a few tips about maintaining the car. Most of these people do not ask for lifts. I just stop and offer them a ride. This is because I know what it is like to be walk in the heat on a dusty road with no sign of a boda boda. I know what it is like to be pelted by rain with no shelter to run to. I know what it is like to be scared when walking in the dark, hoping no wild animal or funny goon waylays you. Best of all, I know what it like to be with children, carrying a bit of luggage on you (baby bags, heavy Bibles and a little snack) and having to walk about one and a half kilometres to the next trading centre where you can get a boda, only for someone to stop by and offer a ride. The relief is exhilarating.

I do not ask for rides mostly because I do not want to invade someone’s sanctuary and privacy. So when someone offers me one, I am grateful. It is why I offer rides a lot of the time without being asked. Just because someone hasn’t asked for help, doesn’t mean they don’t need it. This is what struck me when I watched the movie. Little acts of kindness can go a long way. Giving a tip to someone might mean supper for the day for his child. Going out of your comfort zone, for example getting up from your desk to walk someone to an an office they are looking for, might seem small but mean so much to that old gentleman.

So everyday, as you go about your work and life, find the time and will yourself to do something nice for someone.

cbeyanga@ug.nationmedia.com