Who’s Kind to Hotel Lounge Players?
During my time in Nashville I noticed acts of kindness … good, sweet kindness, one person to another … doing things they won’t have to do. I want to be kind and since I learn by observing and by writing, I wrote down a few things I saw … and decided to share them with you.
Kindness at the Dream Year Weekend:
Dream Year was held at Cross Point Church, so Sunday morning we attended one of their four Sunday services. Pete Wilson is the pastor … and he’s a rock star. No, actually he’s a country star. He and his family were in Taylor Swift’s “Mine” video this past summer. So his world is busy … but I saw kindness all around him as he stopped and talked to many people in the lobby, including a handshake and a hello to me.
Kyle Reed, the tech guy, graciously put my pictures into a powerpoint … and then apologized profusely when circumstances beyond his control made it impossible to show them.
I saw many open doors for others and clearing other people’s trash off tables. (and you know how gross that can be – especially when your finger accidently touches the leftover food that might have touched the other person’s mouth … yeeaw)
Kindness around town:
Technology made some kindness possible. As I got into town, I tweeted something about arriving in Nashville. Katie Strandlund promptly responded WELCOME!!!! sorry it’s so dreary. But, it’s a great place nonetheless. if you are a coffee drinker check out Crema! :) I checked out Crema and it was the perfect coffee shop to spend my free hour in.
Another day and place, a cafeteria waitress fell over herself to show me the vegetarian options after I asked if one of the dishes had meat in it … she even offered to make me a special dish for me.
Drumroll please … the kindness award goes to my roommate – Jamie!
I met Jamie once two years ago and we’ve connected sporadically online. When we both booked Dream Year, we decided to room together. Jamie’s a busy gal! Her day job is in law enforcement. On the side, she’s a life coach and dreams of helping others find their extraordinary purpose.
Jamie might be from the upper peninsula of Michigan, where there is nothing but snow for about 350 days a year (that may be a slight exaggerate) but she is anything but cold. I saw her show kindness to people that I can easily ignore.
I drove by the homeless men on the street corners selling newspapers thinking that I should buy one. Want to know my wimpy excuse for not doing so? I didn’t want to roll down my window in the cold - pathetic!
During a conversation about something else, Jamie happened to mention that she bought a paper from two different guys. Two!
She rolled her window down twice!
On Monday evening, the entertainer in our hotel lounge played, sang and told jokes trying to get his small audience involved. No one was interested … each person was lost in their own world or in a conversation with someone. I wished he would just play … you know, serve us with good music while we relaxed. Why should we have to give him any energy? Jamie clapped after each song and before we left, she walked up to him, encouraged him in his efforts and wished him well.
Jamie … I know you weren’t working as a coach that weekend, but I think I owe you for the coaching about kindness you gave me by simply being you. Thank you!
Kindness … I saw. I learned (hopefully) I aim to do the same!
What acts of kindness have you done or seen someone else do lately?
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