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Hero Cookies
I think everyone at one point wanted to be a superhero. I know I did, and I attempted to fly numerous times to prove it (what I actually proved was that teeth are easily removed when rapidly connecting them to a cement wall, but I digress). Super powers (or lack there of) aside, it was cool to be the hero and save the day. To make people feel better and listen to their praise.
I dont think being a hero requires that grand gesture and saving the day though. Sometimes just saving a moment for someone is just as good. Small acts of kindness go a LONG way in our day to day lives. Holding open doors, smiling at people, giving a friend a ride, a sincere compliment, all of these things can have an impact larger then we can imagine.
Yesterday I was lucky enough to be the recipient of 2 giant acts of kindness. Knowing my money is tight a friend offered to take me out for dinner, and another friend spent his whole evening fixing my computer for me. Neither asked for anything in return and both offered without thinking twice.
Now I try to be a good person and do good things for people. I will lend an ear to anyone, my hugs are free and if I can help you with something I usually do. I really believe that what goes around comes back around, also known as karma. I think our little gestures of kindness build up our karma-banks for when we need good things and good people around us. I dont expect that if I hold a door open for someone Im going to win the lotto the next day, but if youre good to the universe the universe will be good to you.
Back to heros though. We all can name off people who are thought of as heros. Firefighters, doctors, soldiers, police, paramedics, teachers the list goes on and on. These people do heroic things everyday. Sometimes everyday people do extraordinarily heroic things, save lives, rebuild homes, donate organs, but to be a hero you dont have to be over the top. Everyday heros are just as important. The people who hold doors, take friends out for a meal, use their skills to help people asking for nothing in return, donate a can of soup to the food bank. These things may not get you a key to the city or your picture in the paper but they do get points for your karma bank.
Also remember, if you are a recipient of one of these small acts of kindness, be thankful and express your appreciation! Tiny bits of encouragement make people feel awesome and make them want to keep doing the things that get them the encouragement. So even if you cant give the person a key to the city or a prize… give them a hug or a real thank you, a hero cookie.
