Kindness goes a long way. I’m so guilty of focusing on the
not-so-nice things people do. The things that make me bristle and wonder what’s
happening to humanity.
But only fourteen days into the New Year, I’ve experienced
three separate occasions where people have gone above and beyond to be nice.
And, man, do those people stand out!
At the beginning of this month, my older son went to a
Diamondbacks baseball camp (the Diamondbacks Youth Academy, to be precise). We
showed up to sign him in and get his t-shirt and cap. I had my younger son with
me—the one who has T18 and is in a wheelchair. One of the coaches made a point
to get him his very own t-shirt and cap, and then chat with him for a minute or
so. I was floored. I am not used to this type of kindness. (Unfortunately, his
disability usually draws a lot of curious—and even rude—stares).
Then, in the last two days, I was at two separate businesses
(Macy’s and Einstein’s). Both times, the very slightest of inconveniences
happened. I wasn’t even bothered. At all. I mean, they were so, so slight. But
the woman at Macy’s gave me a discount for my “inconvenience”, and the employee
at Einstein’s gave me a large macchiato over the medium I ordered.
And little ‘ole me—who is so used to so many people behaving
badly—doesn’t know what to do with this kindness. Of course, I thank them
sincerely. Sometimes, I gush. Then I walk away wishing them the most blessed of
days—and weeks. And the prominent thing that comes to mind is to pay it
forward. To do nice things for others so they feel all warm and fuzzy inside
like I do.
Have you had any random acts of kindness sprinkled on you?
If so, what were they? Did they make you smile? Set the tone for you day? Make
you want to pay it forward?
