OPINION – Food for thought from our regular trio.

KINDNESS FOR GOODNESS SAKE

Jane Stephens wonders how we allowed anonymous, feel-good acts of generosity towards others to become such marketable commodities.

Kindness is a type of behaviour marked by sympathy, benevolence, generosity and consideration without expecting praise or reward in return.

So dictionaries say. But what if you are motivated by pursuit of praise? And what if you do receive something in return – not from the subject of your kindness, but from sponsors?

Random acts of kindness have become a social media phenomenon.

The virtual world is captivated by watching strangers do kind things for others, with whole channels dedicated to discussing them. Those among us who believe in the power of positivity feel a little heartened that in an unpleasantly topsy-turvy world, goodness is at last getting attention. But the trend has tipped over a rather sharp edge. And kindness has been left behind.

A few weeks ago, Melbourne TikTok content creator Harrison Pawluk filmed himself giving a bunch of flowers to an older woman sitting alone. The video went viral and has now been viewed more than 65 million times. The reason for the manic viewing is that the woman did not see the attention as kind. She told media her quiet had been disrupted and she felt patronised – as if all older women should be tickled pink by the gift of flowers from a stranger. Now, she is upset at being the subject of global pity, given no say in the exchange or its publication.

Despite the seemingly warm and fuzzy intent, the video is not a true example of kindness. Kindness would be connecting with that stranger, sharing a smile or offering a hand. It would have been showing a little human caring instead of capturing a marketable moment.

Four years ago, University of British Columbia psychology researchers John-Tyler Binfet and Camilla Enns identified the notion of “quiet kindness” through a series of experiments.

While they found this to be far less prevalent than planned or responsive kindness, they found these acts – for the good of another and characterised by their stealth-like quality and the desire of the initiator to remain anonymous – occurred more than people might expect.

If that was to spread like wildfire, for real instead of virtually, what a truly wonderful world it would be.

Jane Stephens is a USC journalism lecturer, media commentator and writer.

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW

Ashley Robinson reckons everyone is entitled to their opinion on the pride debate or other tickly issues, as long as everyone agrees to disagree.

At the time of writing, there was much debate about Manly and its ‘rainbow jersey’, as well as discussion on Pauline Hanson walking out of parliament as she didn’t approve or support the Welcome to Country.

With regards to the Manly protest by a number of players and supporters, I guess in my mind it is a free country. If you don’t want to support a ‘rainbow jersey’ with the intention of celebrating inclusiveness, that is totally your right.

But in saying that, if you do want to show your support, it’s your right as well.

Surely in the year 2022, we can all have different opinions without outrage. If the Manly players chose not to play in the jersey, it is not for me to reason why, or anyone else. If there is fallout inside the club because of it, well, that is the path they chose.

My opinion is, I am totally for what the Manly Club tried to achieve and in a way, it probably has highlighted what inclusiveness should really be and that we probably still have a fair way to go. A few folk brought up the fact that some people’s beliefs are against gambling and alcohol, yet there’s no issue with that on a jersey, so why is a rainbow any different?

But I won’t argue about it. If someone asks my opinion, I’ll tell them but I won’t argue the point unless I see someone being vilified – then I will.

Welcome to Country is something I am totally comfortable with, unlike Ms Hanson. In fact, I am a firm believer that our flag and our anthem should include our traditional owners. Again, I will not get into any arguments over it if people disagree, as “everyone” is entitled to an opinion – as long as they respect others.

As they say, religion and politics are deadest two topics we should all stay away from. We should all be capable of treating people respectfully and judge them by what type of humans they are.

As a chap called Pat Wadors said: “When we listen and celebrate what is both common and different, we become wiser, more inclusive, and better as an organisation.” I reckon if we changed the last word to ‘community’, it pretty well sums it up. Pat sounds a bit wiser than Pauline ... in my opinion, that is.

Ashley Robinson is the manager of Alex Surf Club and the chairman of the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

The opinions expressed are those of the authors. These are not the views of My Weekly Preview publishers.

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BOOK IN FOR PURE GOLD NIGHT OUT

Sami Muirhead finds a novel way to escape with some ‘old friends’ on a big-screen adaptation of one of her favourite murder-mystery stories.

Some books stay in your mind for decades after you read them. Where The Crawdads Sing will be one of those treasures for me. It is written beautifully.

It is so sad it makes your wholebody ache for happiness for the lead character, who is a little girl and then a young woman.

It is a love story and a story of survival. It is a murder-mystery story where nature shines.

Most of all, author Delia Owens has page after page of escapism at its absolute best. I was given the book as a gift from my dear friend Mel, and it started me reading again after too many years with towers of unread books stacked next to my head at night.

Those unread books taunted me as to how many things I am not achieving in life. But still I let them gather dust and sit there stubbornly because I knew one day the tide would turn and I would return to my true love of reading.

And so, I did. I was nervous to see the movie adaptation of one of my favourite books. The big screen never lives up to pages, in my opinion.

I know just about everyone has that same arrogant opinion. There is only ever one exception to my rule and that is Harry Potter. The movies do each character justice.

So, off I tiptoed with trepidation to see Crawdads. I splurged on Gold Class because I needed wine and Angus beef sliders to get me through this anxious test of stacking the flick against the novel. I also had a side of caramel churros for dessert, just to fuel my courage and fill my greedy stomach.

Gold Class is surely a great night out in anyone’s books. It blows my mind that you can sit in a big ol’ comfy leather chair and someone will serve you food.

It must be how my kids think life is every night at home. Gold Class is the greatest form of therapy a girl could invest in for herself.

Anyway, there I sat in total bliss for two hours watching my beloved characters come to life and they were how I had always imagined them in my mind. The movie is a little more cheesy than the book, but I can highly recommend escaping reality and watching it.

And make sure you order the dessert, too. You deserve it.

Sami Muirhead is a radio announcer, blogger and commentator. For more from Sami, tune into Mix FM.

Get Ready for SPRING! Street Appeal

with Leisa Thomas-Lark...

From the moment your property is on the market, it is on display. People will be driving by and assessing it. If its DIY or hiring professionals here are some inexpensive ways to maximise your homes street appeal with improvements that will give your home a better perceived value.

Lets get started. Stand on the curb and write yourself a checklist. Miss nothing from the solar lights with blown bulbs to the faded street numbers on the mailbox and the neighbours palm leaves hanging over the fence.

Tidy Up – remove old or unused outdoor furniture. Find a new home for, shoes and bikes and don’t forget the dead potted plants from last spring. Keeping the entry to your home clear and clean. An outdated or faded and dirty mailbox could be a quick fi x.

Cleaning - Pressure washing paths and driveways, steppingstones, and garden edging. Fences and gates fountains or garden features anything that will benefi t from a high intensity wash. Now for the house. Start up high with gutters and down pipes and fi nishing off with the patio and entry.

Weeding your lawn and trimming the edges and using a good fertiliser will do wonders. It will also show that you care about all aspects of your property. Add some fresh colour with mulch, this will help keep moisture in your plants, make your garden easier to maintain during sale time and give your yard a fresh fi nish. Replacing gravel and pebbles will also bring a fresh and tidy look to paths or garden beds.

Landscaping- remove fallen fronds and leaves and any dead blooms or branches from trees and bushes. Trim or remove vines and hedges. Pruning your plants also encourages new growth so pruning a few weeks before going to market should mean your plants are looking fresh and at their best. We can even organise instant green grass. Ask me how? Viola - now your home is ready for market!

Leisa Thomas-Lark Aura Property

T 07 5438 8005 | E sales@aurapropertysc.com.au | aurapropertysc.com.au

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