Have you ever rushed out of your house only to realise that you didn’t remember to pack a spare face covering, or even worse, forgot to put on a mask?

I used to think that happened only to me. Until a recent thread on Reddit caught my attention.

It wasn’t exactly my experience but what redditor u/merelystatingfacts shared definitely resonated with me. In his post, he wanted to express his gratitude to a stranger who offered him tissues, and directed him to a nearby washroom after he threw up at a bus stop near Buona Vista MRT station.

The stranger even gave the poor redditor, who was on his way to his first day at a new job, a spare mask!

That man’s kind gesture saved the day.

u/merelystatingfacts wrote in his post: “Your actions really reminded me of what a wonderful thing kindness is and inspires me to be kind to others just as you have!

I’m now going to bring a spare mask along as well in case someone else ever needs one along the way.”

Kindness… begets kindness

Kindness begets Kindness
Image by Purino

Many commenters on the thread recounted personal anecdotes sharing similar experiences when they felt unwell and strangers stepped forward to help.

Redditor Greenleafyveggie shared: “A similar thing happened to me as well (in 2006!). I started feeling lightheaded and somehow stumbled out of the MRT in a daze and a kind lady asked if I was feeling OK and gave me some oil to smell. The MRT staff took me to a room and gave me Milo. I will never forget this.”

Added redditor hainey28 said: “Back then when I was still young in primary school, I was sitting on the bus with my dad, and I was trying to hold in my vomit inside the bus with my dad’s handkerchief since it wasn’t THAT bad yet, luckily the couple behind us gave me a plastic bag cause they noticed!! So I vomited into that plastic bag instead and I felt so relieved.. I will never forget that!”

In fact, it was a theme on the thread that many of the redditors chimed in on how a small act of kindness at a crucial moment left a lasting impression on their hearts.

Redditor FuturistAnthony shared: “Once I was coughing really bad (pre-Covid) on the bus because of a tickle in my throat, and I almost vomited on the bus. I bit my lip so hard until it was bruised just so I could hold it in.

“Once I got out of the bus, I asked an auntie for a tissue, she gave me one and left. I finished using the one but I kept coughing really badly, and another auntie even offered to give me her whole packet and wanted me to have some mints. I’ll never forget their kindness that day.”

Kindness… inspires others

Small acts of kindness will inspiring others
Image by Sunny studio

Such small acts have the potential to transform into something with a greater purpose. They allow people to see the good in everyone and inspire us to pass the kindness on.

Redditor bosmar98 commented: “Thanks for sharing…restores faith in humanity… there are people out there you can rely on when you are alone. Not all will turn a blind eye when seeing someone helpless.”

Redditor kingkongfly echoed the sentiment, encouraging redditor u/merelystatingfacts to pass on the kindness he had received since he was not able to find his Good Samaritan, adding that by doing so, “Singapore would be a better place.”

Kindness… in the new normal

Paying attention and sensitive to others
Image by Twinsterphoto

However, there are still challenges in our new normal. One redditor commented that he was ashamed to admit that he has started helping people less nowadays due to Covid-19.

While it is important that we stay vigilant in practising safe distancing in our fight to curb this pandemic, we can still be kind with just a few simple adjustments to our lifestyle.

The way we live, work and play may be different now, but the innate kindness in us – that drive to help others – should still live on in the new normal.

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