Monday, January 14, 2013

I'm Trying to Be Nice....

But am I actually being
bad?
 
Here is my dilemma:
 
As I mentioned a post or two ago,
I am determined to make
my 2013 a year
of doing
Random Acts of Kindness.
 
I also told you I was going to
leave a card in each co-workers mailbox.
I write a brief note telling
the person that what they do goes noticed
and that they are appreciated for all they do.
I do not sign the card.
 
I have currently delivered one dozen cards.
I have had two people question me about them.
One asked if it was from me
(she's a good friend).
I lied.
I don't lie.
But I did in this case.
 
The second person asked
if I got a card and went on to tell me all about  hers.
It seemed to really bother her that it was not signed.
She wanted to thank the person.
I told her that I didn't think they wanted any thanks.
I felt they wanted to just do something nice
for someone.
 
How would you feel if you received
a note such as these?
Would it make you smile?
Or drive you mad?
 
Should I continue?

33 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i don't like surprises, so getting a note like that from 'anonymous' would make me crazy as i'd want to acknowledge the person for saying something so wonderful to lift my spirits.

and i know you don't like to lie either.

Rohrerbot said...

I agree with T. However, I do like playing "Dirty Santa" during Christmas time for those people who dislike anonymous gifts/cards in their mailboxes:) I go to the dollar store and we wrap up random presents and put them in random boxes. The result is hilarious....I have to really keep a straight face for this stuff. But this activity is different. I'd open the card and I'd wonder who thought I was nice. It would ruin my reputation at school:)

Anonymous said...

I think it is a very kind gesture, Jill. I think if it were me, I'd be wondering who it was from - but I wouldn't let it drive me crazy. (I don't think, anyway)

Hugs

Optimistic Existentialist said...

YES you should continue!! The anonymity is what makes the random act of kindness so wonderful. Believe me, the majority of people will be touched beyond belief by these gestures.

Bonnie said...

Jill, I'm torn. I understand your wanting to do something nice without receiving thanks, but I think everyone probably would want to know who wrote the sweet notes. You truly have a beautiful heart.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

Jill - this is so not going to help you ... i'm so wishy washy about things sometimes. ok - here goes ... on one side i so love your idea. you are being sweet, kind & so wonderful to do this ... people forget to feel loved, special & we deserve to feel needed & helpful. we forget to just feel it. i understand the one lady feel she wanted to thank that one who did it but sometimes you can't repay kindness. but you could also remind her of the "pay it forward" way of thinking ... she could do something to continue the acts of kindness - don't let it stop ... keep it going??! that sort of thing. but i guess it is sort of the curiosity kills the cat. so i can see it from both sides. i wouldn't stop. never do that. stay positive. do folks know your handwriting? you could do it on the computer??! i've been told Jill that if something within you tell you to do it. do it. don't back down. & hopefully that one will see your goodness & carry it on. i sure hope that helps & you will stay hopeful & positive about it all. it's so about the SMALL things in life. totally!! keep it up!! big big hugs. ( :

Paula said...

It would make me smile and drive me mad too. I think it is a nice thing to do.

Chatty Crone said...

I would like a note like that - either way - I think.

Anonymous said...

I guess my curiosity would get the best of me, too!

Angela said...

I asked my husband what he would think if he got a card not signed by someone at work. He said it wouldn't bother him that it wasn't signed. He's also the type that wouldn't go around trying to figure out who sent it. As for me, I've participated in the secret sister thing at church. It didn't bother me but I did sign up for it and I was sneaking gifts in to my secret sister.

Last week when I went to the doctor I noticed someone had put a little note near the elevator that said Jesus Loves You! That made me smile!

Beth said...

I think the note is a great idea but I would prefer it be signed.

Lynne said...

I would rather know the sender . . . I think your random act of kindness is very nice/kind . . .
Ask yourself what makes you feel best . . . signing your name or keeping it a mystery . . .

Rosemary said...

I think what you're doing is wonderful. People just aren't used to anonymous kindness. They get a rush of emotion and don't know what to do with it. They drive themselves crazy wondering who the kindness came from. I don't think it 's the kindness they mind, just the wondering :)

Jackie said...

I've got a few cards like this and appreciate knowing who sent it.... I think it would drive me crazy. I say continue and sign.

Blessed Serendipity said...

First of all, how very nice of you! You have a very kind heart and all those who know you are so very blessed. A random act of kindness is random. The recipients of the letters are not supposed to know who sent the nice notes. It is like a ray of sunshine in their sometimes hectic day. Let it be Jill. If they insist on thanking the "anonymous" person, then suggest maybe they can "post" a letter on a common bulletin board to the anonymous letter writer to thank them for their kind words. That should satisfy them.

blessings
XO Danielle

Lynne said...

I would rather know who the sender is . . . it would drive me crazy. I once received a card in college, unsigned, and I still wonder who sent it.

Your act of kindness is a lovely intention. You are a beautiful person Jill . . .

Letting someone know who you are . . . gives them an opportunity to return thankfulness.

Ask yourself, would you rather let someone know it is you or keep the mystery . . .

I hope you let me/us know what happens . . .

E. said...

I think I would be really curious and wonder who left the card. My imagination would probably run wild! Maybe they should know it's you, after you've sent all of your cards.

andy said...

I agree with Evi ! What a great and kind thing to do ! Have a great day and keep being you

Susan said...

Hi Jill, I'd be thrilled at such a lovely gesture. Keep doing it, it's your happy little secret :D)

Buttons Thoughts said...

Smile of course. HUGS B

Unknown said...

I guess I would want to know who it is from. What a nice thing to do though!

My Mind's Eye said...

Jill how sweet and thoughtful!

Mixed thoughts here. Delivered at work in their mail box would especially be nice maybe signed
An appreciative co-worker...

I once rec'd a unsigned Christmas card in my work mailbox. It was a specially purchased Hallmark. At first it drove nuts then I just accepted it for what it was...a gift that made me smile. I worked with a lot of grad students. I expect it was from one of them.

Hugs madi and mom

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I would want to know who sent it - I'd be curious and would want to return the favor, but I could certainly accept that it wasn't signed and would just try to pay it forward.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I'm the odd duck, but I would want it signed. It is a very sweet and kind gesture either way, for sure.

Furry Bottoms said...

In theory, its a good idea. But I've been a receiver of a note of the opposite kind. When I first started this job, someone didn't like me for some reason, not sure why. That person cut out letters from magazines and strung them together to make a horrible message and put it in my box at work. Of course it was anonymous. So ever since, I've been very leery of anonymous notes myself.

HOWEVER... you could post a note on the mirror in the ladies room saying they're beautiful. Since it is such a public note, it really could be anyone and FOR anyone. You never know who really needs to hear that about them.

Dianna said...

I agree with Lisa - it would definitely make me smile, but at the same time, I'd be curious about who had sent it.

If it makes you happy to do this, I say definitely continue!

Debbie said...

it would MAKE ME SMILE!! and drive me nuts because i would want to say thank you!!

but with that said, i would just enjoy it and treasure it forever!!

you are one of a kind jill, a dear, kind, soul who is doing something really special!!

Jeanne said...

It would make me crazy!

Ellie said...

It is a lovely thing for you to do but I would really need to know who sent it so that I could thank them.

Donna said...

Oh sure....I'd want to know too. That way I didn't go lay a big hug or kiss on a boss that certainly did Not send it...Hahaaaa
You're Such a kind hearted person!
hughugs

nanny said...

I think you have had a wonderful idea and should continue....no don't sign them....I wouldn't sign either...to me that is a sincere, no thanks or recognition needed act!!

Ida said...

This is a wonderful thing and I don't think you should stop. Perhaps tucking in a little card explaining that you want to remain anonymous might help.

Unknown said...

I think it is a beautiful gesture, and meant to make people feel good--which is important. My thought is that if someone asks if it was you, just tell them the truth. You don't want recognition for it, I can see-but if it is important for someone to know and they ask, it would be good to tell them. Yes! keep doing what you are doing. It's very sweet.