Random Acts of Kindness Day: Free Bridge Toll?
Today is being celebrated as Random Acts of Kindness day. The day commemorates what is supposed to be a week full of random acts of kindness, but sounds quite similar to the parable of "The Good Samaritan". Some have offered suggestions to celebrate the day.
The parable of the Good Samaritan begins when a traveler is beaten, robbed, and then left for dead. Two men pass, a priest and a Levite, but both fail to help the man, then a third man, comes and offers assistance. The story is told in response to who one should consider to be their neighbor.
The man who stops is a Samaritan. In biblical days, Jews generally did not get along with Samaritans, and since Jesus was Jewish it would be considered shocking for him to suggest that the Samaritan is the one who stopped to help, and not perhaps the priest. It is thought that Jesus used the Samaritan to demonstrate that even those that we may not like, are our neighbors, and should not be judged.
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Some states even have a "Good Samaritan" law that suggests a person at the scene of an accident should help the victim in the accident if possible. Although it is not required, at times it is considered negligence if that person does not. However, on the other hand some states also protect "Good Samaritans" who have helped victims from having civil action taken upon them for doing so.
Random acts of kindness could include small things like complimenting another person or more generous things like picking up the lunch tab. The organization RandomActsofKindess.org also offers a daily act of kindness tip. The site is dedicated to inspiring others to practice kindness and pass it on.
One person on the site offered an interesting suggestion. As a random act of kindness, the person suggests that when paying a toll for the bridge that you could also pay the toll for the person behind you. "You won't believe the (incredulous) big smile you'll receive if the person happens to catch up with you on the road!" the anonymous commenter wrote on RAK site.
