This morning I was waiting on this talkative, nice guy who was just buying a coffee for himself. Then he turned to an older woman who was wearing scrubs behind him. He tells me to ring up her coffee and says to her; "Hello, ma'am, your coffee is paid for. I make it a point to buy one stranger coffee everyday and today is your lucky day." He then explained; "I decided to do this everyday until someone did the same for me, a stranger. Then one day while I was driving to the beach, I left my money in the car while buying coffee. By the time I got back in the store, the cashier told me that a man had already paid for my coffee. I could have stopped then, but then realizing how good it made me feel that there are still people out there who practice kindness, I decided to keep going. That was 3 years ago." My faith in humanity = restored.
I was asked in an “job interview” at school who my role model was, so I said Misha Collins. The guy who was conducting the interview looked surprised, the confused before asking me then to further explain who Misha is.
I talked for about five minutes about Misha’s life and the charity, how he’s a great role model, his strange pessimistic yet optimistic attitude … and I only mentioned supernatural/Cas four times.
A* for me when it turned out everyone else had said their mother.
The Compliment
Another long day headed for the books. However, two long hours remained before I could take a nap and call the day over. Math lab then drama practice. I could get through it. I would get through it. I didn’t want to have to deal with people, I avoided as many as I could. Smiled at those that forced to communicate with me. I was a walking ghost. I wanted to get things done and leave, nothing more.
I hastily wrote my name on the paper by the number 12. I recognized a few names on the list as I scribbled down each letter. I waited as others claimed their assignments and sat down. Soon, the stout teacher was starring at me, “Name?”
I gave him my name, tapped my foot and waited impatiently for my lab.
“Aw yes, I saw your name just a few seconds ago,” his hands shook as he flipped through the numerous piles of paper arrayed on the desk.
What he told me next astounded me, “You know, you’re a very talented young woman. I saw you perform at the last Coffeehouse but I hadn’t seen you since.” He handed me the paper, his lips turned into a smile, “You’re very talented.”
Caught off guard, I reached for the paper, smiled and responded weakly, “Thanks.” Meanwhile, others had been waiting impatiently behind me. For a moment, I felt special, being complimented in front of others. I didn’t know how to respond, what to say, all I could muster was a thank you.
He was the reason why I’m willing to stick today out. The deadly thoughts that normally linger in my mind evaporated as his random kind words settled in my head. “You’re very talented…”
acts of random kindness
today after school, my mom needed to go to the clinic. so she’s taking a pretty long time and me, two of my sisters, and my grandpa are waiting in the car, and i leave the car battery on so i can keep the mobile wi-fi running. when my mom came back, i tried to start the car but, i killed the battery from charging the damn wi-fi. everyone was freaking out because my dad was at work, and the jump-starter was at home, when suddenly out of nowhere, this random guy knocks on the window and asks if we need help. he heard the car not starting and happened to have a jump starter in his car. he helped us out, no questions asked, and left with a smile once we were off and running.
i appreciate you random stranger. thanks (:
It's nice to be nice!
During some research on the internet I noticed this article about the clothing brand ‘Ark’ (Acts of Random Kindness). Instead of giving their clothes or other stuff away and showing generosity to their customers, they did exactly the opposite. Ark asks its customers to do something nice every time they’re wearing the brands clothes. For example you can get some groceries for your grandma, buy someone a coffee or give away your seat at the bus of train. It doesn’t have to be a huge thing, just that little nice thing that will make a person’s day.
Not very long ago their was this Dutch tv-commercial from the government which encouraged the Dutch people to behave more nice to each other. This shows that there’s definitely a problem, at least in the Netherlands but people all over the world become more and more selfish. This probably has something to do with the fact that everything has to be perfect nowadays. People have to look good, have to have a great job, the perfect kids and husband and a nice house with a shiny car. They only think about themselves and care about there own needs. That’s why a brand as Ark has some great future growth potential. We’re now at a time where it’s cool to be nice and people want to show this off. Now they can do this with the clothes of Ark.
Source: Spring Wise. (January 2009). Clothing brand asks its wearers to be kind. Consulted on 18 April 2011, from: http://www.springwise.com/fashion_beauty/clothing_brand_asks_its_wearer/
