Dear Readers,
Yesterday I was in a hurry and forgot to close my trunk. I didn’t realize this till I was stopped at a red light a few blocks from my house and I saw someone get out of the car and heading toward my car, my first instinct was to panic but then I heard a “clunk” and saw my trunk closed. I didn’t even know it had been open! I rolled down my window and said, “Thank you” to the kindly soul who noticed it. Today I was in traffic and I let someone in and they waved. (I hate it when they don’t wave)
Today, our server dropped a glass and it shattered, someone else in our group went to help clean up. I really regret not jumping in to help, but as someone else pointed out, “I don’t want to get in the way.” and quite frankly, I was feeling lazy.
Yesterday, as I was walking to the elevator, I said, “Hold the elevator” and someone else did. None of these acts together are anything special but one at a time, they filled a need I had at the exact moment I had it.
It got me thinking, we could all stand to be a little kinder to each other, and one of the best ways I know how to do that is to notice other people. It’s a sure-fire way to help take the focus off of yourself and think about other people.
A few years ago, I heard Andy Andrews speak and one of my favourite things he taught me (and an audience of thousands) was to peel a banana the right way… From the bottom. All it takes is the act of “noticing” that peeling it from the top takes longer and is more difficult. I also love this quote of his. “A people – all lives – are either in a crisis, coming out of a crisis or headed for a crisis.”
“A people – all lives – are either in a crisis, coming out of a crisis or headed for a crisis.”
So that may seem kind of depressing, but not to me. I think it’s an an opportunity to serve.
Your one kind act of –
- Smiling at a stranger who looks downcast.
- Texting a friend who is far in distance but close in your heart
- Letting someone cut ahead of you in line.
- Stepping in to help when you see a need.
- Holding the door open for someone.
could be just the “lift” they need to keep them going on a very rough day.
Think About it, Notice a Need, Do Something. 
Think About It!
Haston Helping Hands 
Good post! This reminds me of last week, Jennifer.
Mike, carrying the baby, and I were walking along the front of a strip mall near our house. Behind us, a somewhat haggard, middle aged woman got out of her car and followed, headed toward the dollar store. A dollar lay on the sidewalk. Mike said leave it, but I couldn’t resist and picked it up. I then turned to the woman behind us, and handed her the dollar with some casual, friendly comment I’ve already forgotten. Her look expressed surprise and delight, both fighting for supremacy.
It was a moment of random luck magnified by random kindness. Who knows why timing was such that we got to the dollar before anyone else. She saw it all happen, and perhaps felt a pang of disappointment. Then the tables turned, and she got the dollar after all. And us, what did we get? We got the heart-bursting joy that comes from generosity, which is seldom obtained for as little as a dollar!
Delighted in serving you,
Leanne
Happiness is being married to your best friend!
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