Random Acts of Kindness; Maybe a Good Start

During the Amos 'n Andy era of radio, character actress Molly Berg wrote and starred in "The Goldbergs," a daily 15-minute program in which her namesake character dispensed homespun advice on everything from family squabbles to world affairs.

It ran from 1929 until 1946, through the Great Depression, World War II and the beginning of some massive changes in human society.

It later had a 7-year run on television. (Pioneer boob-tube aficionados will remember her call of "Yoo-hoo, Mrs. Bl-o-o-o-m" from the kitchen window.)

Little is recorded of Molly's whimsy, wit and wisdom, but if her basic philosophy had become embedded in our present world, it would be a much, much better place.

In essence, and in her very words, it was simply: "Be nice and don't fight."

Modern mores have shoved niceness aside in favor of individualism, aloofness, discourtesy, hurriedness and unconcern for others.

While, as individuals, we are powerless to remedy the greed, prejudice, anger, injustice and cruelty that has become so pervasive on the worldwide stage, it is arguable that random acts of kindness could be a helpful form of global warming.

True, they would not quickly settle such scourges as ethnic feuds, tribal wars, governmental misdeeds, crime and political hypocrisy; but, like Mrs. Goldberg's chicken soup, "it vouldn't hoit."

POSSIBLE STARTERS: Let someone with a lighter order move ahead of you in the checkout line; Yield the right of way to another driver for no good reason; Compliment a total stranger on his or her appearance; Favor everyone you meet everywhere you go with a brief greeting and a big smile; Wave to neighbors you don't really know; Send at least one note or e-mail each day to a long-ago acquaintance with whom you've been out of touch. ("Just thinking of you" will do for the message.)

OR: Drop a couple of small coins near a playground where some child is sure to find them; Give a book you've already read to someone who hasn't (or drop it off at a nursing home); Even if you're sure someone you love knows that you do, tell him/her anyway - today, tomorrow and the next day, etc.; Turn off the TV and just listen to one of your kids for a half-hour; Send someone who lives alone a small gift - anonymously.

OR: Hold a door for someone (anyone will do); Send a newspaper clipping ("in case you missed this") to someone whose name is mentioned therein, or who might be interested for another reason; Write a nice note to the table server when you sign your credit card slip; Remove the shopping cart that blocks a parking spot at the mall; Help a co-worker with an unpleasant chore; Concede a minor point to another person if it will make them feel better; Say "please" and "thank you" at every possible opportunity.

A hidden benefit of random acts of kindness is that you'll never know when one of them has an impact of unforeseeable power.

A case in point: Some years ago, Firstwife was making a "guilt trip" to visit an elderly and infirm local church member. On an impulse, she brought along a small doll, just as a token gift.

Little could she have anticipated - and never will she forget - the weepy, wonderful reaction of that dear old lady, who smiled through tears of happiness and confessed ( PLEASE believe this story - it's true) that she had never in her life been given a doll of her very own.

And here's another: A guy I know gives a gold dollar to each person in a restaurant, both kids and grown-ups, whose birthdays (or other occasions) are being celebrated. One such recipient - again a lady of lengthy years - was firmly convinced that this random act was inspired by her late husband. Seems that, since his fairly recent death, she'd been finding gift coins he had planted here and there as reminders of his love. This, she was certain, was just another one.

You'll seldom know when your small kindnesses pay big dividends - but that's not really important, is it?

Do at least one nice and unnecessary thing every day - preferably something for which you'll get no credit and of which you're unlikely to know the results.

Except for these two - both guaranteed: You'll feel good about yourself and you'll make the world - your world, at least - a little better than it was.

Yoo-hoo....be nice and don't fight!