My recent post on how we’re faring with the car expenses vis a vis our strategy to offset these costs with GrabHitch has gotten quite a bit of attention. Everything that has been reported is tangible but I do seem to have missed out the finer aspect of Grab Hitch that makes me a wee bit sad.
Personal opinion – the downside of GrabHitch is that, what used to be giving someone a ride out of the goodness of your heart, so to speak, is now at the opportunity cost of making money. It has become transactional. Sure, Grab Hitch connects you to a market place of nearby commuters but it’s easy to lose sight of what used to be common practice with friends, family and even colleagues.
I’m determined now to let this happen though and I’m elated that Mr.C and I are on the same. All the more reason for loving this man even more, his heart is where mine is <3 [Stick to the story Ms.K, don’t get all mushy! This blog will be for the kids to read one day, and I want the kids to know how important it is to be with a person who have the same values as yourself]
Family and friends will always come first, at no cost. So here’s the story, my brother had asked for the car 2 weeks back to run a couple of errands. He followed us in to work and back with his girlfriend, which meant we would have no opportunity to Hitch our usual folks. At minimum, that is a loss of $40 (on average). I felt annoyed that this thought even crossed my mind. This is my brother, for crying out loud! It was an easy decision for me to always prioritize family and friends. That thought though, that it fleetingly crept into my mind, prompted this thought process and further strengthened my resolve to hold on dearly to what is priceless and that is – kindness.
The world is changing in so many ways. I miss some of the simplicity from the past. The acts of kindness that was prevalent in daily life that was almost taken for granted and only now, in the stark absence of it, becomes apparent that it was indeed kindness and not a given. That act of kindness, when taken away, leaves us a world that is not as warm as before.
Let me reminisce about a common occurance a few years back when I had just started work. It was in 2006 and I was bright-eyes and bushy-tailed, turning up for work in a new town with a new car. I didn’t know the area and I was just getting used to my new toy. My colleagues, who became really good friends, knew this. Often, they would volunteer to give me a lift. To work. From work. To dinners that we were going together and even dropping me home after the dinner or party, even if it was out of their way. It was an opportunity to carry of chatting away and laughing and just plain and simple kindness.
Even when I drove and the party was ending, we’d always check with each other if everyone had a ride. The guys would ensure that us girls would be walked back to our cars. It was small acts of kindness that truly made all the difference.
In today’s world, it would be easy to say “oh sorry, I can’t give you a lift. I have my regular Hitch person to send back”. Well yes, that is almost like a commitment to another person. Back in the day with no such ride-sharing concept, it wouldn’t have been an issue. Throw some money into the picture now and it actually becomes a real choice. Logical questions on “how close is this friend? Am I willing to give up $13.50 to give a ride to this colleague / friend?” would come up and quite frankly, it’s not a nice consideration to even be making.
So while I’m somewhat sad with what is easily lost in the changing world, emotions we hold from memories of common occurrences in the past and stories that others carry of kindness should always be carried with us and told, and re-told in hopes of the act being re-lived. There may be new forms of kindness even in changing times 🙂
Have you come across other instances where you miss the warmth and kindness that you were accustomed to in your daily life?
I feel like with technology and social media, the world is becoming more uncaring and angry, even as we’re being equipped with the tools to do the exact opposite. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just exposing humanity for what it really is. Selfish and self-serving ultimately. 🙁
It’s a sad thought to have.
I think we become more aware of how there are so many different types of people in the world. The good and the bad surface more easily to our attention. Perhaps it has always been that way, and the unkindness we see are more than we thought? Although I would say, I think people have an easier time being unkind when they are hidden behind their machines versus being unkind in person.
Broadly, I think the right values and mindfulness of behaviour / action and consequences go a long way. Bad things can happen when no one takes a stand. Yea this isn’t particularly a fun topic however a very important topic in our roles in life – as a person in a community, a person in a workplace, a parent, a family member.