Seeds of Kindness

I was going down the hill when I suddenly noticed an older, local woman walking up with heavy bags in both of her hands.  She was still in the distance, and I could see that she stopped every several steps to put her bags down and give her aching arms a moment of rest.  She would then lift her bags again and, slowly, continue walking.

It was a beautiful day.  The air was fresh from the brief morning drizzle and the birds were singing.  The tranquil path entered the Lima River valley, passing through picturesque vineyards, infinite cornfields, and quiet woodland.

When I got closer, I could see the woman’s weary eyes, her crumbled face and body.  I greeted her with a “buenos dias”, and when our eyes met, there was only one thing for me to say or do.  I was ready to take her bags up the hill and walk with her wherever she needed, forgetting all about my heavy backpack, my sore feet, or the long day ahead.

I imagined she spoke no English, yet I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t offend or upset her.  I offered my help with a simple gesture—full of intention, and kind.

Her eyes and face lit up instantly, her spine erected, her smile—slowly, at first—grew wide.  Surprised, she looked straight into my eyes with deep gratitude and a hint of joy.  In that instance, she was transformed in front of my eyes.  In a humble gesture, she said she would carry the bags on her own.  She blessed me, and we parted ways.

I walked several steps and turned back to watch her as she went.  Her body didn’t get any younger, the bags were still heavy in her hands.  But she was now carrying something extra, something from our brief exchange, that gave her the strength to continue.  I smiled and realized, it was a seed of kindness.

I reflected on the impact a single seed could have…

Perhaps it strengthened her belief and she felt supported.  Perhaps it eased her day and she was warm and kind to her family.  Perhaps the next time she saw a pilgrim, she remembered our exchange and smiled.

I turned around and started walking again.  I realized how powerful one single seed of kindness was and how, like in a ripple effect, it could touch and affect the lives and days of others.  It might not feel much in that particular moment and you don’t necessarily need to have something physical in order to give.  Sometimes, a genuine smile, a hug, an authentic interest in someone’s well-being is really all that it takes to plant a seed.

Today, I thought, I would plant seeds—seeds of kindness.  I may never know how, exactly, it touches others.  But with more than 12 kilometers until I reach my next stop in Ponte de Lima, all I can do, is leave a trail of seeds behind.

The medieval bridge in Ponte de Lima has 24 arches, four of which are the remains of the original Roman construction from around the 1st Century