tlcorbinA Random Act of Kindness
January 2nd 2008 15:57
Over the years I have been getting very thin skinned, and at times abrasive. A trait that isn’t very becoming or beneficial to anyone. People never surprise me with their humanness, but I am always surprised and delighted by their display of humaneness. So, when I encounter these little things, the abrasive facade fails me and the inner innocent reappears for a brief time.
Delivering Tisha to work this morning at 5am and realizing that I was still not fully alert or cognizant of my surroundings. It seemed appropriate to get some coffee at a local convenience store called, the Breeze In, and so off we went (Roxie the mini schnauzer and me). It was snowing pillow sized flakes and as you may well have guessed, not the best time to be driving with half closed eyelids.
Pulling in to the parking area, I parked, and Roxie was charged with guarding the vehicle while I scurried inside in search of coffee. Once through the entry, I greeted the clerk and as is habit, started reaching for my wallet. It wasn’t there. Great! Just @#$%!ing great! I needed coffee-NOW, and had no funds. Digging through my pockets for change I fell short of the cost for what had suddenly become the elixir of life.
The tall, surly looking clerk that seldom if ever spoke, was watching and said, “Go ahead, get a cup of coffee and pay for it later; you’re by this way often, no problem.” Coupled to a faint smile that short remark rang clear and true throughout my psyche; I was shocked. After my poorly disguised display of emotions earlier, I had been gently chastised and accommodated at the same time. Humbly, I got the coffee, thanked him and left; a slightly different man.
Isn’t it odd, how modest, little acts of kindness can be so profound?
Raven
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Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
The old adage "it's the little things" is so true.
Before the advent of cashless e-tags on Sydney roads - one of our little random acts - was to occassionally pay toll for the car behind us.
It was great to see their face as they pulled up to the booth only to be told that their passage had been taken care of.
Sometimes you just need someone or something to renew your faith huh!
Cheers
MNG
Comment by tlcorbin
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Absolutely true, and heart warming. It was refreshing and made my day.
Regards,
Raven
Comment by katyzzz
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Random act, lovely kindness, unexpected giver, comments always profound as are so many of your posts Raven.
I guess you're not just always picking at the entrails and biting your own nether quarters, how we do lay false claims to fame.
I ramble on but at least I am not profane.
katyzzz
Comment by Damo
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Comment by tlcorbin
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You are absolutely correct Damo, I'll go whip some up, because I can feel the real need creeping upon me.
Raven
Comment by Techno
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Comment by tlcorbin
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Comment by Michaelie
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It's always heartening to hear of people contributing their own small bean to the great coffee machine of life. Too often you only encounter the dregs.
Michaelie
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by tlcorbin
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Cibbuano perhaps it's more of a side effect, because when in such close proximity, don't we become desensitized to the plight of others to give us the sense of having more room?
Raven
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Great story! You don't need to make grand gestures, sometimes it's the little stuff that makes the greatest impact.
Your story has bought a smile to my face and made my day a klittle brighter too!
Kylie
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I know just what you mean, those expected gestures can really make such a difference and jolt you into wondering what it’s all about.
I had a similar experience this morning, I was in the supermarket and I made the usual mistake of using a basket instead of a trolley which meant that my basket was overflowing to the point I could barely lift it. I plonked it down and toddled off to do more shopping, at that point, a trolley might’ve been a good idea, but it seemed too late to take that step and I think for some reason I didn’t want to admit basket defeat.
Anyhoo, when I returned to it, my arms were full, it was full and I was wondering how I was going to get to the counter (and secretly cursing people that kept getting in my way, I was tired and grumpy). Then a woman picked up my basket and asked me which counter I wanted to go to. I was so grateful and touched, I almost bought her a chocolate bar to thank her. What a kind woman. That gesture and this post really has me thinking....
Tracy
Comment by Joanne Fedler
Secret Writers Business
It's the little things that break us apart and the little things that put us back together again. Whenever I'm down, I try to pay it forward, doing something so small it could pass as insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but sometimes I wonder whether those little gestures of humanity don't save people from throwing themselves off bridges - just reminding them of the goodness that is sometimes so hard to find in a world of busy strangers passing us by.
Thanks for reminding us all.
Jo
Comment by tlcorbin
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Honestly, Tracy, this story and its impact on others has had me thinking a lot as well, maybe its the lingering seasonal spirit, what ever it is, I am glad to have experienced it.
Hello Joanne, that's a great perspective on things, maybe it would benefit us all to practice just a bit more.
Sometimes, I certainly wonder if I ever impacted the lives of others in a positive manner; now, I just try to be a little less abrasive and not in such a hurry to get to the front off the line.
Raven
Comment by Tracy
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Many of your posts have done this and especially this one:
I certainly wonder if I ever impacted the lives of others in a positive manner
Tracy
Comment by tlcorbin
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You have impacted several timesTracy, causing me to smile, laugh and ponder. Thank you for those moments.
Raven
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Tracy
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