TwoCents | The Impact Of Our Kindness

I follow an Instagram page called “Diary Of A Naija Girl.” It is run by a very vocal, intelligent and successful woman entrepreneur who shares her life experiences as well as the experiences of others, and us who keep up with her posts can seek advice and connect with each other, as we’ve grown to become a strong community of women – both home and abroad, bonded through our similar struggles. I stumbled on one of DANG’s (for short) posts today; about the kindness of a stranger. She was a “fresher” as we call first year undergrads, and while trying to register her courses and navigate college life one fateful day, she found herself stuck in the rain, completely drenched and worse – stranded right in front of her home, as her roommates were not around to let her into their shared apartment. This stranger who happened to know this lady’s roomies invited her to her place; giving her shelter from the rain, then proceeded to offer her a change of clothes and also heat up a glass of beverage for her. According to the narrator, this experience occurred 24 years ago, but has remained in her mind and in her heart till this very day. And even though this is something I’ve always known, I’m reminded that kind gestures are so powerful, they can outlive the person who extended said kindness. It is the same thing with vileness. You can be so vitriolic, the negative impact on other people’s lives remain with them forever. That’s why it’s important to choose kindness every day because would you rather be remembered for kicking a person when they were down, or for lifting them up? If your answer is negative, you be weyrey. 😩Imagine somebody remembering you over two whole decades since they first encountered you; simply because of a moment of benevolence. The aforementioned story about the undergrad also reminds me of Adele the iconic singer, on stage, recounting her early teenage years with a particular favorite teacher of hers who was kind and took the time to be there for her students in special ways that the singer never forgot. Fast forward to being a multiple Grammy award winner years after, and Adele was on stage, telling the world the story of this teacher of hers. The teacher was in attendance as a surprise for Adele and when her presence was revealed, she moved the famous singer to tears. So memorable a person, your teenage students become fully grown adults, but can never forget you. What a legacy! I too have experienced the kindness of friends as well as strangers, as we all have. One particular moment I’ll always be grateful for, was a friend driving me to lend some money from another friend of his; so I could have transport fare to travel outside of Lagos where I reside, and star in my first feature film. Today, everytime that movie comes up on the Iroko Tv platform, I remember the person who made it possible for me to be in that movie and I mouth a silent prayer to God, blessing them for what they did for me. A singular act of kindness can change not just your life but the life of the recipient and years later, you and them can still reap the rewards of that one symbolic gesture.And in the wise words of one commenter under Dang’s post, specifically the one about the caring stranger — ‘Always be kind to people, that’s how you live forever, in their hearts.’ And I completely agree!Please endeavor to spread some kindness and cheer as you go about your day to day, I assure you, the world will be better for it. 😌😊

Other insights from Belinda Chiazor