KINDNESS BEGETS KINDNESS

Little acts of kindness can put a smile in someone's heart. This past Thanksgiving, my son, his girlfriend and I were driving through Starbucks to grab a pumpkin latte for Danielle. When we got to the window to pay we were informed that the car in front of us had paid for her drink. To this day, I smile every time I think about that generous act. It made me want to bless others. Pay it forward so to speak.

I've yet to cover someone's bill at a drive thru, but I do little things that I hope will lighten someone's load just a bit. I often shop at Aldi's and you are required to pay a quarter for their carts. When you return your cart you get your quarter back. It's a great system for keeping the parking lot...cart free. I like to look for someone about to get a wagon and give them mine. When they go to hand me their quarter I always say, "that's okay, just give the cart to someone else to use." It's not much...but to some people that quarter is a great deal.

I look around me and try to be aware of people struggling to get doors open and hold them open, elderly people often need assistance getting groceries off top shelves or just separating the carts in the entry of the store and it only takes a moment to lend a hand.

The other day I was at Kroger's and while I was checking out an older, rough looking man came in looking for a certain kind of candy. He asked my checkout girl if there was anyone who could assist him and she looked down her nose and said, "no". He walked away and I questioned the girl. She said, "we don't have anyone available to help him. Everyone is busy." For some reason this really made me angry. I paid for my groceries, then told the girl to watch my cart and went in search of the man. There he was in the candy aisle struggling to read the packages. I helped him find the candy he was looking for, went back and grabbed my groceries and headed home. I don't even know if he knew I was a customer and not someone who worked there. He did say, "thanks" rather gruffly. It wasn't about being thanked though, it was about feeling that I did a little something to help another person living in this crazy world and that made me feel better about myself.

In this age of talking, texting, everyone always being in a rush and people rarely making eye contact, I think we've forgotten to take moments out of our day to connect with those around us. If this little blog inspires just one person to open their eyes and help a stranger now and then...then I'm glad I wrote it.