Published: December 23, 2006 01:33 pm      

Recognize those who go the extra mile

Columnist promises to tell of good deeds in Southern Indiana

Negativity is all around us. It follows us to the supermarket when the clerk is in a bad mood. It follows us into the workplace, the restaurant, the doctor’s office, and we follow it through the media.

Our community is all too often viewed through downbeat dialogue that explores all that is dreadful, shocking and unpleasant. For those folks in our community who are tired of the negative, depressing news that clouds the “sunny side,” this monthly column is for you.

I have often been accused of having a Pollyanna complex. While I believe it is everyone’s responsibility to correct inappropriate negative behavior, it is equally and maybe even more important to acknowledge helpful and caring behavior.

The animal world calls this “positive reinforcement.” Have you ever called for a store manager to come forward in order to hear a compliment regarding a clerk who has gone the extra mile to provide outstanding service? If not, try it sometime. Just the combined look of shock and pleasure is worth the time spent waiting for the manager. By the way, since most managers expect an angry customer waiting … don’t expect anything other than a snail’s pace response to the call.

I see kind people. I see them all around Southern Indiana. This is my second column in The Tribune. However, I have been writing about Clark County Extra Milers for more than a year. I am happy to expand the column to recognize all of Southern Indiana.

Stop taking good people for granted. Let me share their stories and good deeds. Charles Kuralt believed, “The everyday kindness of the back roads more than makes up for the acts of greed in the headlines.”

I need to hear from you — from New Albany to Georgetown, from Lanesville to Greenville, and on to Floyds Knobs. Tell your stories of kindness — random or otherwise — extraordinary friendships and exemplary volunteers — the extra milers. Tell us of ordinary people doing extraordinary acts of kindness.

Optimism shines through the caring deeds of others. Just as Walt Disney’s movie “Pollyanna” revealed, any one person can transform a community.

Do you know that person?

Carol A. Dawson is a resident of Jeffersonville and president of a national training and consulting company, EEO GUIDANCE, Inc. If you have seen or been a part of an act of kindness or know an extra miler, please let us know about it. To submit a story or act of kindness, contact Carol via e-mail: Cdawson@news-tribune.net or send mail to: The Extra Milers, The Evening News, 221 Spring St. Jeffersonville, IN, 47130-3340.