This year, make time for Kindness Week

Canada celebrates this reminder of Kindness Week, a time to think about others during the third week of February

I’m a huge advocate of kindness. It’s incredibly easy to express and often costs nothing. Over the years I’ve highlighted Kindness Week and suggested random acts of kindness, volunteering, charitable giving, and simply behaving in a compassionate and respectful manner as ways to celebrate the week. Canada will celebrate its fourth annual Kindness Week from February 9 to 15.

My hope is always that these seven days inspire people to be more kind. In honour of Kindness Week this year, I’d like to bring some awareness about impatience so that we can try to subdue it within ourselves and be kinder to one another.

Tension at the check-out

Last fall, I was waiting my turn to pay at IKEA when I overheard some frustrated people behind me complaining about the woman in front of me who was carefully looking at every coin and counting out her change. Until that moment, I had been oblivious, probably because I was too busy second-guessing some of the impulse items in my basket.

My hat’s off to the cashier who patiently counted out the change and let the customer know how much she still owed. I noticed the woman didn’t have enough money. I quickly glanced at her purchases: a couple of tea towels. The cashier suggested that perhaps she could leave one of them behind, but there was a bit of a language barrier.

After a little more back and forth, I jumped in and offered to cover the balance.. Would you believe it was twenty cents? I wish I had the words to convey the sheer joy in the woman’s expression and the way her eyes twinkled. Clearly, these were very special tea towels! She was overcome with gratitude and my heart was full. Win-win.

Now, let’s go back to the people who expressed impatience. All they undoubtedly saw was an elderly woman holding up the line by counting out her payment with coins, inconveniencing them. At the end of the day, it was probably a few extra minutes, but their blatant display of annoyance was rude and disrespectful.

Without realizing it, they were also turning up the temperature on a benign situation. What if someone had confronted them? My view of the scene, however, was more nuanced. I saw an elderly woman, possibly from another country, unsure of the coins and their value, and trying to make a utilitarian purchase.

Empathy check

Having had the privilege of travelling to different countries, I know what it is like to fumble with foreign currency. In that moment, I suppose a part of me also saw my grandmother who always paid for everything in cash. What’s more, I’m cognizant of how many people are experiencing financial hardship these days.

At the end of the day, I whole-heartedly empathized with this woman. Not only was I able to put myself in her shoes, but I also like to think I was able to channel some of what she must have been feeling in that moment, and that led me to action.

Unfortunately, impatience is everywhere. Think about drivers who speed and cut people off. They are putting others’ safety at risk because, on some level, they believe that their time is more important. Or, what about people who demand, instead of asking for things. I’ll never forget the woman I once witnessed at the pharmacy who was yelling at the cashier, ordering her to get her lottery tickets faster.

Impatience all too common

However, impatience isn’t a mystery. It’s what happens when a person simmering with stress, frustration or annoyance boils over and acts out. It’s all too common these days, and dare I say it’s unkind and rude.

Reasonably speaking, we are all human and have lost our cool at one time or another. We may even have had moments we regret, but the important thing to do is acknowledge our (mis)behaviour, apologize, and try to do better next time. We are, after all, a species that has the ability to reason and control our actions.

I genuinely hope those people behind me in line saw the kindness in my approach, and if presented with a comparable situation, will reconsider their reaction and do better. It’s simple really. Being patient is kind and being impatient is not.

The Kindness Week Act was passed by Parliament in 2021 and proclaims that the third week in February be known as “Kindness Week” across Canada. Let’s encourage respect, nurture empathy and promote patience with one another.