Unkindness everywhere!!

BradfordLass73 thank you - you beat me to it. I hadn't spotted the magazine article, but having now skimmed it (thanks for the link) I was aware of many of the kindnesses that appear on the list.

Locally to me we've had so many examples of selfless goodwill that I'm deeply touched by the sheer kindliness of people. Many of them have been going out of their way to assist others and simply do kind deeds.

My daughter lives in another town and told me today that in addition to the rainbows and teddy bears that have been appearing in windows people have also, in random acts of kindness, been posting arts/craft gifts to families with children (carefully received and handled in an appropriate way by my daughter who got one). My other daughter has decorated her driveway with bunting and pretty cut-outs to lift the spirits of those who pass by.

There will always be people who are negative or unkind, but often even those responses are born out of fear or anger at injustice (perceived or real).

We are all struggling in one way or another. My blind daughter has OCD and worries when she goes out that she may be carrying the virus. My 4 year old granddaughter is missing me so much that she keeps getting her mum to pretend she's me! My photographer son has lost all his business. We were all unprepared for this and need to actively seek out evidence of good things and kind people, of which there are many. If you want a smile Google the postman who is doing his rounds in fancy dress to cheer up his customers. A very big hug to all of you who are scared. Night night.

I feel for you, Narnia having to work with other peoples' children while not being able to see the ones you love in your family. [fowers]

Addressing the unkindness general, I think we need to actively seek out the positive and avoid the personally painful. I say personal because we all have different triggers and thresholds. Just as an example and not about this current crisis, I'm always crushed when I read a story about cruelty to children or animals or, indeed, anyone. I know there's a LOT of it out there so I purposely look for the heartwarming and kind things people do. If I didn't, I'd be depressed a lot. The same can be said for these times we live in. There are so many stories of kind people helping one-another, singing from the rooftops, working in hospitals away from their families, etc.

Very coincidentally, one of my friends just sent me this poem as I'm typing this!

Oops, left out the "l" ---

I have been fortunate and when out for our daily walk see friendly people and lots of smiles. As I walk along if I see someone sitting looking out ive taken to giving a wave. It's wonderful to get an enthusiastic wave in return.

This is the only forum I look at so don't see much of social media.
I miss our dgc so much. 6 of them.

Actually my dsteps had one horrible experience. he coparents his 3 year old child. There is a court order confirming this. The mother said she wanted the child to stay with her for the foreseeable future until Covid19 has passed. My ds said no chance and that the Gov had confirmed that any child the subject of a Court Order should continue to go to both parents. Her reply was that she hoped he would get Covid19 and die. So yes, there was one particularly nasty incident. I do see it from mum's emotional point of view but she knows the dgs is well looked after and loved when with his dad.

I think that after a couple of weeks of self isolating people are starting to realise just how emotionally tough this is going to be.

I see much kindness ans bravery everywhere.
Yesterday my next door neighbour mowed my lawn for me; the teenager on the other side offered two weeks ago to collect shopping for me; my son and daughter and partners are coping well, working from home and keeping in touch to check that we are all all right; the staff in the local Tesco is cheerful, helpful and working like stink to keep the store open and the shelves stocked.

I don't like being classed old and vulnerable and wish I could get out and do something; it doesn't seem right to be skulking indoors when so many younger people are putting their lives on the line.

'and', also kindness of strangers;

I've found a lot of kindness without looking

Young neighbour left me a beautiful bunch of flowers on the doorstep over the weekend with a small note saying they'd used gloves and left 24 hours before delivery

Walking the dog is always a friendly time but now we are all waving and expressing the 2020 comment of the year, 'stay safe'.

I miss seeing the grandchildren but one of my AC is home. .She works in Oxford, had come home for Mother's Day and has been told to stay here on full pay for who knows how long

Social media is also awash with kind comments and funny memes and clips

And yes, we do need a laugh sometimes

It's hard work but 'this too will pass'

Hetty The bad DO NOT outnumber the good. It is just that the bad acts are more newsworthy, and they annoy people so much that they post about them on social media. If we posted more often about all the little acts of kindness we receive, THEY would by far outnumber the selfishness.

Thankyou all for the lovely messages and inboxes.
I have seen some acts of kindness and we do have a local community group where people help each other.
It's more that I find people are looking for an argument in every comment, saying things to others that they would never say face to face.
Then the people who relish in voicing their disgust at 2 people shopping together or buying "non essential items" I just want to tell them to mind their own business!
Things are bad enough at the moment without turning on each other I'm sure!
I want this to be over quickly so I can see my beautiful DD and GS but bickering and picking at others perceived wrong doings isn't going to make it go away.
So tomorrow I will be in work, painting on a smile and trying to make the most of it x

Tuppence15, I have reported my neighbours with no qualms whatsoever.

Their behaviour is just as anti social and dangerous as drunk drivers.

They are putting themselves, others, perhaps my family members at risk.

Therefore, as a responsible and caring person, it's my civic duty to report them.

Narnia I am so sorry you have found this. I am shielding and have found everyone to be very kind. My friends and groups on FB have also been supportive.
Sussex I am on a couple of breast cancer groups and without exception every one is kind. I am sorry you have come across trolls.

I am finding plenty of kindness ( the kindness of strangers!)

Yes, there are a minority who are unkind and hurtful in different ways, but I do think that the genuine humanity has come to the top at this dreadful time and acts of kindness and suppport are being reported by so many.
On GN, I mentioned that I was worried about not having enough yarn for me to do knitting and keep myself occupied during this, and another GNtte, whom I have never met, nor even talked to previously, pm's me offering to send me yarn from her own stash, at her own expense.
This is the sort of genuine kindness is is wonderful.

Franbern, my local community group did the same for my mum, gave her bags of yarn. She's 80 and knits for charity or hats for the local maternity hospital.