Random Acts of Kindness ~ The Ripple Effect
Posted: Wednesday, July 21, 2010
by Camille Strate
JoyZAChoice
Isn't it odd how some folks find it 'easier' to be kind to strangers than to those they know? I've often wondered about this and I'vehad more than my share of spats over it. That was then. This is now.
Nowadays, I don't even bother pointing it out. I figure it's one of those things folks just have to figure out on their own. Besides, back when I used to “point it out", it was always in the moment when said person was being a jerk to me. No way they were going to hear what I was saying, which was what led to the “spat". So...I quit trying to school them and decided to just live it instead.
Case in point:
I was at the checkout in the grocery store, standing behind a young family with 4 children, all of whom appeared to be under the age of 5. Both the mama and the dad had big smiles on their faces as they tried to keep the kids from dashing all over the place as the cashier rang them up. They had several packs of soda pop, and a bunch of coupons for various items in their cart. They didn't speak much English, so when the cashier tried to explain that they could only use one per item, they weren't quite getting it. I'm not fluent, but I can usually get the message across. So, in my limited Spanish I told them what the cashier was saying. They nodded their heads and thanked me for explaining. When the cashier hit total, the couple had a look of panic on their faces. They didn't have enough money to pay for it all.
I could see there was some sort of 'occasion' going on by the goods they had purchased. It was a party of some sort and they were horrified that they were going to have to eliminate some items. Instantly my heart went out to them. Been there myself. As they discussed what to put back, I handed the cashier my debit card and said “I'll take care of it. Don't take their money." She gave me the oddest look, but took my card and rang them out. The couple was so engaged in their conversation they didn't see what was happening. I touched my hand to the man's arm and said, “It's okay. You go have your celebration and keep your money for something else. Have fun!"
They looked at me in complete shock. At first I thought he didn't understand what I'd said (I'm sure I said it incorrectly, but it was as good as I could do at the moment. Limited vocabulary and all that.) But after I tried again, I knew they had understood in the first place but were unable to process what I'd done. The woman had tears in her eyes. The man was just flat out confused. Finally he asked, “But why would you do this?"
It finally occurred to me to ask if he spoke English. He replied, “A little." So I said, “Because I've been where you are and someone once helped me. So now I'm paying him back...by helping you. We call this “paying it forward". Do you understand?" He nodded yes, as the tears welled up in his eyes. The woman gave me the biggest hug and said thank you about 10 times. I was so moved at that moment that I couldn't stop my own tears from sliding down my face. Talk about a good feeling!
I'll never forget that day. And the smiles on their faces. And the absolute gratitude they wrapped around me as they loaded their bags into the cart. They didn't stop saying thank you until they reached the door. It was truly one of those life-changing moments.
From that day on, I've done my best to commit random acts of kindness. Anything at all to see someone smile. Helping the elderly lady load her bags into her car. Buying fresh fruit and a sandwich for the homeless guy on the corner. Dropping a bag of vegetables from my garden on a neighbor's front porch (without a note as to where they came from. A “mystery" gift.) Bringing a big bunch of balloons to the park and handing them out to the little ones. Baking banana bread and taking it to the assisted living centers. Stuffed animals to the Children's Hospital. There are so many ways we can commit random acts of kindness, and many of them don't require money at all. Even just a smile to the cranky pants who runs into you as you're walking down the aisle at Target. A smile is easy to give...and can change a person's whole day.
Random acts of kindness.
You have no idea just how far they can “ripple out". And the coolest thing is that as I've continued to make this a part of my “daily routine", the dynamic in my own life has changed. Those people who were once impolite and unkind to me, those who used me as their 'target' for their own frustrations, are much more kind too. It's as if this energy is flowing out of me right into them...and they have become much more aware of their own actions to others.
Crazy huh?
This Article has been viewed 822 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Not so crazy, Camille. I'm sure that familys celebration was very wonderful, thanks to you.You know...I think about that family often. And each time I do, I get this big grin and that wonderful warm-fuzzy. I'm not kidding you when I say that my 'act of kindness' was as much a gift to me as I know it was to them. And, yes, I'm certain their celebration was splendid. They had the 'juice' goin' on...and I just know it carried into their party. thanks for reading, Jennifer. I DO appreciate it.
Nothing crazy about this at all! I love doing random acts of kindness, but confess I don't do them often enough. You've motivated me to be more aware of opportunities to do that, or simply make the opportunity. Thanks.Bravisimo, Joyce! Every little one is wonderful. And if this inspired you to do "more", then my work has been fulfilled. I am SO pleased! Thanks for reading and for the note of encouragement. It is GREATLY appreciated!Hugs, Bella~
Very inspiring, Camille. As I've said before, Camille Strate rocks!Thank you so much, Bruce. How very sweet of you!
camille,I think you found the secret formula for investments-for every one dollar invested in someone in need, the investor (in this case you) is rewarded ten-fold. go figure.-bingBeautiful! Thank you, Bing. As always, you inspire me to 'more'. Big hugs~
Hi Camille.Not crazy at all. Only beautiful.Hugs,DianneThanks, Dianne. And thanks too for sharing the update with the horses. FUN!
Hi Camille, how are you dear friend? It has been a long time. Great piece and so true. It's when we do nice things for the sake of doing instead of receiving, we end up on the receiving end anyway :-)Thanks for this encouraging reminder. Hugs, TeresaHi Teresa! What a lovely surprise! Thanks for the comment and the read. Yes...so true, eh? How are things in YOUR world?
What a blessing you are to that family! Thanks for sharing this heartwarming story in the face of all the "bad news" in the typical line of daily news sources.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.