Good deeds stand the test of time and tend to play significant parts in people’s memories and lives. Stop and think of all those people that have done something nice for you, and how thinking about it can bring an involuntary smile to your face.

I recall a postman when out delivering got soaked to the skin, reminding me that my mother early on in the 90s, gave him a towel to dry his hair along with a steaming hot cup of coffee he never forgot her kindness. This made me realise the impacts we have on each other’s lives.  

Another example would be meeting Max in 2009 - a man I came across who was sleeping on the street - that encounter literally changed my perspective on life. He owned nothing, yet he showed me that the gift of health outstripped wealth any day.

I’ve witnessed fabulous and thoughtful deeds silently given where people stepped up to the plate giving what was needed because they felt it was.

Sometimes doing something to make another feel special and valued, is all that it takes to make that person’s day.

This leads naturally to writing about walking angels. These are the kind souls that live amongst us identifiable because on departing you feel infinitely lighter inspired and uplifted.

Carrying my burdens around has unwittingly drained those closest to me, so I’m more than thankful when meeting up with walking angels. It really isn’t what we say, at times that counts or matters, so much as sitting with someone in their space, saying nothing at all whilst feeling the privilege of shared healing silence.

Saying that though, I’ve also noticed that unkind words spoken in anger, can be rectified with sincere remorse, goodwill and loving atmospheres can so easily be achieved.  Rarely are people hell-bent on causing hurt to others, words are powerful as indeed is the tone in which they’re said. This is why priests, vicars and pastors say so little yet heal so much, empathic silence can be as much a good deed, as the kindest earnestly spoken words.