Have you seen the movie Klaus on Netflix? You know, the Christmas one about the widowed toymaker and the devilish postman who learns an important lesson? It's not weird to watch Christmas movies in February right? I hope not.
Anyway, there's a part in that movie where the toymaker is thinking of leaving the difficult job ahead as he is reminded by the words someone once said to him - "a true selfless act always sparks another."
That's true, you know. When we fill our days with service to others, it ignights positivity throughout the community. Small things, like holding the door open for the next person, saying thank you, and smiling at a stranger (even behind a mask). Not to be left out are the big things, the ones that take a little extra observation to accomplish. Knowing how someone takes their coffee or remembering their favorite dessert. Shoveling a neighbor's driveway. These things require specific thoughtfulness. And then there's the really big things. Cheering someone up, letting someone know you're wishing them well. Or going the extra mile to make someone's day better, to make someone's life better.
We don't necessarily keep track or even directly receive anything in return for these small acts of kindness - that's not really the point of doing them. We just....do them because it's the right thing to do. All the same, it does have a positive effect. Doesn't it feel good to make someone happy? Yes! When added up all together, these intentional selfless acts make the immediate space around, the community, maybe even the world a happier, friendlier place.
At the Franklin Food Bank, the staff, volunteers and the Board are committed to completing as many acts of kindness as possible and creating a friendly space where we can make someone's day better. It's not an easy job by any means. But every day we hope to create enough sparks to inspire the embers of selfless kindness to burn throughout the whole community. It is truly and completely a labor of love.
