As some of you may or may not know, this past Friday was Random Acts of Kindness day. At this point in time, we have all heard of these little acts. Some people have left encouragement notes on lockers in schools, some will help someone they see struggling, or most common, people will pay for others food in fast food lines. I for one had never partaken in such acts. I always thought those acts were cute, I use cute sparingly. I must say though, you don't know the impact that one small act has until it happens to you. This past Friday, I was in the drive through getting breakfast before work. I pull up to the pay window and the cashier tells me that the person three people in front of me had started the chain of paying for the people behind them. That person must have gotten the memo that Friday was Random Act of Kindness day! Anyhow, that cashier asked me if I wanted to pay for the person behind me. I automatically asked how much it was. I feel guilty for asking that, but it is in the past and what is done is done. The cashier told me it was $10 dollars or so and was followed by I didn't have to do it if money was tight. I told her I would pay the total. I figured I had never done one before so I might as well do it. As I drove away, I had such a good feeling about what had just happened. I did not just feel good because I felt good about what I had done but more importantly, I was more excited that I could be part of the movement.
I, like most others, don't spend most off my days trying to be positive or do kind things for others. I have learned from this experience that we all should try to do more for others. In a world where at times we seem more divided than ever, just the stretch of a hand could be enough to brighten someone else's day. We need more kind. More kind to ourselves, more kind to each other. We live in a harsh world that at times wants nothing to do with us expect tear us down. We need to raise against that. Rise in kindness. Rise in positivity. I am not saying to snap your fingers and become the human verision of a rainbow. I am jsut saying, try to do something for someone today. Something with nothing in it for you. Do it just because it is the kind thing to do. There is a reason they teach us in school right from wrong or kindness from anger. We are meant to be kind to one another. So let's do it. Be kind.