Random Acts of Kindness

Instead of a quote, I will share one of my favorite stories with you. If you've heard me say it, it's another version of it...I think this one here is the true version, not sure. Read it even if I've told you-it'll still be as impactful!

Mark was walking home from school one day when he noticed the boy ahead of him had tripped and dropped all of the books he was carrying, along with two sweaters, a baseball bat, a glove and a small tape recorder. Mark knelt down and helped the boy pick up the scattered articles. Since they were going the same way, he helped to carry part of the burden. As they walked Mark discovered the boy's name was Bill, that he loved video games, baseball and history, and that he was having lots of trouble with his other subjects and that he had just broken up with his girlfriend. They arrived at Bill's home first and Mark was invited in for a Coke and to watch some television. The afternoon passed pleasantly with a few laughs and some shared small talk, then Mark went home. They continued to see each other around school, had lunch together once or twice, then both graduated from junior high school. They ended up in the same high school where they had brief contacts over the years. Finally the long awaited senior year came and three weeks before graduation, Bill asked Mark if they could talk. 

Bill reminded him of the day years ago when they had first met. "Did you ever wonder why I was carrying so many things home that day?" asked Bill. "You see, I cleaned out my locker because I didn't want to leave a mess for anyone else. I had stored away some of my mothers sleeping pills and I was going home to commit suicide. But after we spent some time together talking and laughing, I realized that if I had killed myself, I would have missed that time and so many others that might follow. So you see, Mark, when you picked up those books that day, you did a lot more, you saved my life."

Take a moment to think about this...one boy decided to take a few minutes out of his life to help another kid carry some things to his home. He could have easily walked away to do other fun things or made fun of the boy. Instead, he stopped and gave up some time for another person. Of course, he had no idea what he was really doing or the impact that he really had, because it seemed like a normal correspondence to him. But it turned out to be so much more...

Next time you see someone struggling, stop and help them.
Next time you see someone in a rush at the grocery store, let them go in front of you.
Next time you see someone in need of anything, stop and think: is it really going to take a lot out of you to be nice and do something kind for them? 

Maybe you won't save a life, but you could make someone smile. And isn't that the point of life? To be happy? So if we can stop and do something kind, then we are making others smile and spreading joy. What could be better?

Challenge: Do one nice thing per day (minimum) and see how it changes your attitude!  

So long <3