Random Acts of Kindness
I met a truly wonderful woman recently. She may not know it, but I think she's special and, although I will never see her again, she has affirmed my belief, once again, in the basic goodness of people.
Standing in line in a department store waiting to pay for my purchases, I was asked if I had a "gift card," to which I replied a strained, "No?" This woman, who was getting her packages together, reached over, held her hand out and offered a folded red-and-white card which said '20% off." She said, "Use it and you'll get 20% off anything you bought. Just give it to me when you're done."
Was I being hoodwinked by some sharp thief or was I the "victim" of a good deed? I took no longer than an eye blink before I offered it to the cashier, who cheerily took 20% off everything in my small pile of items, gave it back to me and I turned to the smiling stranger and told her what I thought.
"You are wonderful. That was so kind of you." She answered, "Have a Merry Christmas." Had I just met Mrs. Claus? Was I being repaid for not passing the Salvation Army bucket and claiming poverty? Hmmmm. Was it one of those random acts of kindness I'd heard of on the internet and seen on bumper stickers? Did it really matter?
She made my evening and I don't know if she knows it, but her thoughtfulness to a stranger will bolster me in my pursuit of kindness toward others. May you have a Very Merry Christmas, kind stranger, and may your New Year bring many random acts of kindness your way.
Related Topics: Kindness is Contagious, The Science of Good Deeds, Attitude of Gratitude
Standing in line in a department store waiting to pay for my purchases, I was asked if I had a "gift card," to which I replied a strained, "No?" This woman, who was getting her packages together, reached over, held her hand out and offered a folded red-and-white card which said '20% off." She said, "Use it and you'll get 20% off anything you bought. Just give it to me when you're done."
Was I being hoodwinked by some sharp thief or was I the "victim" of a good deed? I took no longer than an eye blink before I offered it to the cashier, who cheerily took 20% off everything in my small pile of items, gave it back to me and I turned to the smiling stranger and told her what I thought.
"You are wonderful. That was so kind of you." She answered, "Have a Merry Christmas." Had I just met Mrs. Claus? Was I being repaid for not passing the Salvation Army bucket and claiming poverty? Hmmmm. Was it one of those random acts of kindness I'd heard of on the internet and seen on bumper stickers? Did it really matter?
She made my evening and I don't know if she knows it, but her thoughtfulness to a stranger will bolster me in my pursuit of kindness toward others. May you have a Very Merry Christmas, kind stranger, and may your New Year bring many random acts of kindness your way.
Related Topics: Kindness is Contagious, The Science of Good Deeds, Attitude of Gratitude
6 Comments:
While the act from the stranger was indeed kind, by accepting, I somehow wonder if you were not "cheating" by using what was not intended for your use?
Can you really know whose use it was intended for? Obviously it was intended for them because it happened...
No, I think the store would have indicated that on the card if it were only to be used by that woman. In not doing so, it implied that anyone could use the store and I'm sure that the store appreciated any additional sales, from whomever, it got as a result.
Stores do mass mail-box mailings during this time of the year. Sometimes, these cards are found in the sections of Sunday newspapers, so unless I looked for her name (and I didn't see anything like a name on the card), it was never intended for just one specific person.
This act of sharing, surely brought a Tear to my eye. Thank God, I still do believe in the goodnes of people...skhan
I happen to work for a very prestigious store that sells ladies garments, and we do indeed often have coupons that may be used and also have a Friends & Family period of time wherein we can give a 25% off coupon to whomever we wish (we are given ten such coupons) and they can use it for a three day period. I brought some to work, and gave them to people who I thought would use them - because at this store, 25% off is a big deal! It gives me a chance to partake in a random act of kindness, and feel good about allowing someone to take advantage of a good deal. I often do this type of thing in many other ways - and it makes me feel good to treat people with kindness, randomly - purposely, or just for any old reason. Thanks for letting me share this. Happy New Year to you all.
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