The kindness movement that has me hooked.

By Amy Crawford

I grew up in the small regional town of Launceston in Tasmania, where random 'pop-ins' were (and still are) far more prevalent than those of a big city. Oh the memories! As a little girl, Thea (from up the road) would pop-in with a freshly baked loaf of bread warm from the oven, a loaf that only Thea could bake (and spoke "just because" with no expectation). There were Mum's friends arriving unannounced at the door with posies of flowers freshly picked from their gardens; pumpkins (5 times the size of my little head) appearing on our doorstep, note free; baskets of raspberries from an abundant garden; ice cream containers of soup warm from the stove. And let's not forget those thoughtful moments of simple kindness and thoughtfulness. Visiting Nana (nee Betty Boatwright) and Pa on Sunday afternoons (always around the same time because, if luck were on our side as it usually was), the wafty smell of freshly baked scones hit our nostrils as soon as we arrived (hooray!). 

As I left Tasmania and moved about bigger cities I came to realise that random pop-ins were not always appreciated and have all but become obsolete (at the least terribly infrequent). These days we must schedule, plan and think through social gatherings, squeezing them in amongst busy diaries where we can. And as those schedules get busier and busier, as we race through life, squeezing the bejeezus out of every minute, so often we forget to keep it simple and get back to basics. For it is the act of giving to others, that outward and inward flow, the giving with no expectation that is the essence of conscious living (when you give you receive).

Recently I stumbled across a beautiful initiative on Instagram that grabbed my attention immediately because of it's pure simplicity and because of the beautiful childhood memories it restored. The Bakers Drawer, by Kate Thompson is "....a movement of kindness, based around a kitchen table - it’s a hug, a thank you and thinking of you! In a world of 'i', we hope that this humble baker's drawer will re-kindle the pop-ins and those random acts of kindness that people once depended upon."

It is, quite simply a stunning drawer 'adopted' by it's owner and named (typically) after Grandma or another inspirational person in one's life. The drawer becomes a 'receptacle' for thoughtfulness - for baked goods, for soups, for an apple or a cake (whatever tickles your fancy) and is to be dropped on doorsteps, delivered to meetings, parked on picnic rugs. It's nothing more and nothing less but what it is a beautiful kindness movement that has me hooked. 

So it is that 'Betty Boatwright' came to life and so begins her beautiful journey into the world which I am now so proudly sharing. What I am adoring most is the gentle reminder (each day that I look at Betty in my kitchen) to be thoughtful, to consider those in need, to give in simple ways, as often as I can.

Of course you don't need a drawer to be part of a kindness movement but if like me the idea of bringing memories of your gran to life (whether she is with us or not) and bestowing kindness on others in such a way feels 'right' to you, you can join the movement here.

Finally to my dear Nana, Betty Boatwright, whose thoughtfulness, love and kindness continues to inspire me no end, I love you and I miss you very much, every single day.

Do you have any random pop-in memories or acts of kindness you could share with us all today?  

* Please note, this is not a sponsored post. I am sharing this story/bakers drawer simply because I love it dearly.

GIVEAWAY Terms & Conditions: In 30 words or less in the comments below simply share your one kindness related story. Prize will be drawn COB Monday 6 October 2014 (AEST). Australian entrants only (apologies!).