Kindness 2022

This is a story for the Vocal Challenge “We Have A Dream” (inspired by the Martin Luther King quote) and sponsored by the “I Have A Dream Foundation” , This is the full mission statement from the challenge.

“It was August 28, 1963, when Martin Luther King Jr. painted the picture of a future where discrimination, segregation, and exclusivity were no more. This past year has painted the picture of a present where there is a need for more kindness, community, and inclusivity. In anticipation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 11, as well as Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17, we want to make sure this need is met. That’s where you come in.”

So how will I be kind in 2022? People may not see me as a kind or even trustworthy person, but that is true of anyone you don’t actually know or interact with, and being an old white male with accompanying privilege that may make me seem more of a threat.

The reality is, and this can be backed up by talking to any Facebook or terrestrial friend, I always try my best to be there for people if I can, and to help them in any practical way I can.

I have played in bands to raise money for charity, but with the onset of COVID I cannot give money to the homeless on the street, so donate online when I can.

Facebook at times can be a toxic and difficult place for people, and I believe that last year I helped many people through just talking and offering a virtual handhold. I often feel helpless to act but know my words can give comfort to others and actually encourage them to get up and restart their lives.

Thanks to lockdown I have much less physical contact with people than I used to, and as I have recently tested positive for COVID that contact has been even more curtailed.

I make a point of being on the end of the phone for friends and family and in the last year there have been some traumatic events but I have talked and given a sympathetic ear to people.

I love to see people smile and try to give people a reason to smile. If you smile at someone it raises your spirit and theirs. Especially in the Vocal groups, I make sure that people can approach me with any problem, moral, mental, physical, or technical.

I suppose what I am saying is that 2022 will continue along the path started in 2021. Prior to joining the Vocal Groups I rarely communicated with people on Facebook, just a few close friends all in the UK apart from a couple of Antipodeans and two or three in the USA, but now that has exploded. I try to be a friend and confidante to everyone that needs someone to talk to.

That will be my greatest kindness going forward as well as returning any kindness shown to me.

I will also when possible apply random acts of kindness which will usually be giving food from shops to the homeless on the streets of Newcastle as I never have money these days. I will also try and support local businesses by buying local goods whenever I can be it food or records, although my vinyl collection really doesn’t require any more additions.

2022 will be showing Kindness by caring for others. I know that this is very muddled, but that is just the way my mind works. And although I am a kind and caring person I will leave Shaun Ryder and The Heads to make a statement on this.

Be Kind to people, you could save a life, I may have done a few times in my past.