Kindness
Have you ever felt like the sludge of the earth, only to be buoyed by the gift of someones smile or kind word?
Have you ever found yourself short of money in a checkout line and been rescued by the next person in line lending you the needed change or cash?
How did it make you feel....to suddenly "matter" in that moment?
I found myself in the grocery checkout line tonight behind an elderly lady who was checking out with a loaf of bread, a gallon of milk, and a tin of 4 muffins. She was paying cash and didn't have enough money for all of her purchases. She was visibly upset and wasn't quite sure what to do. The cashier asked if there was anything that she didn't want. She hesitated as if deciding.... she was only short $2.50. I stepped forward and gave the cashier the needed money and said to the woman, "If you will allow me, I'd appreciate it very much." She was stunned, then thanked me profusely and went on her way.
But it is me who should be thanking her. The act of doing something good for someone else made me feel like a million dollars.
Why is it that we get so caught up in our lives that we forget about the people standing all around us who might just need a little "extra something" to help brighten their day?
It may be something as small as a smile, holding the door open for them, complimenting them on their haircut or new blouse. Perhaps even just making small talk with them and making them feel important for a while. It doesn't take a lot, and you may end up reaping more of the benefit from that one act of kindness.
I remember my Dad giving someone some money once. When I asked him why, he just said, "he needed it more than I did." Kewl, huh?
Pay it forward people...pay it forward. Step out of your world and in to someone else's,and make them feel as if they matter.
Have you ever found yourself short of money in a checkout line and been rescued by the next person in line lending you the needed change or cash?
How did it make you feel....to suddenly "matter" in that moment?
I found myself in the grocery checkout line tonight behind an elderly lady who was checking out with a loaf of bread, a gallon of milk, and a tin of 4 muffins. She was paying cash and didn't have enough money for all of her purchases. She was visibly upset and wasn't quite sure what to do. The cashier asked if there was anything that she didn't want. She hesitated as if deciding.... she was only short $2.50. I stepped forward and gave the cashier the needed money and said to the woman, "If you will allow me, I'd appreciate it very much." She was stunned, then thanked me profusely and went on her way.
But it is me who should be thanking her. The act of doing something good for someone else made me feel like a million dollars.
Why is it that we get so caught up in our lives that we forget about the people standing all around us who might just need a little "extra something" to help brighten their day?
It may be something as small as a smile, holding the door open for them, complimenting them on their haircut or new blouse. Perhaps even just making small talk with them and making them feel important for a while. It doesn't take a lot, and you may end up reaping more of the benefit from that one act of kindness.
I remember my Dad giving someone some money once. When I asked him why, he just said, "he needed it more than I did." Kewl, huh?
Pay it forward people...pay it forward. Step out of your world and in to someone else's,and make them feel as if they matter.
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