I heard a story on NPR today. In it, a man described how a 20-minute interaction that he had with a guy while helping him change a flat tire 15 years ago still affects his decision-making process today. After helping him, the flat tire guy said, Thank you for your kindness to me today. The helper was struck by the idea that his spur-of-the-moment decision to pull over and help constituted kindness. It made him realize how easy it is to show kindness. And, he resolves to show kindness as often as he could in the future. Fifteen years later, he still remembers the moment like it was yesterday. Did a moment like that ever happen to you - either as the recipient or the giver? If so, please share. And if you decide to ask the question on your feed, please tag me do I can see the responses if your friends. For me, one such moment occurred when I was going to school at TCJC, which would put me in my 20s, so lets round it off and say it happened 25 years ago. First, let me preface this by saying I like the way I look; I know I am not beautiful, but I could reasonably be described as cute or pretty. I feel like I am ordinary in that area, Im not ugly, not beautiful. Just normal. So. I am walking across campus, heading to my next class. A young man is walking towards me, heading towards his class presumably. He makes eye contact and smiles. I smile back. He turns to keep looking at me as he walks past, walking sideways now, and he says very brightly, Hello, beautiful! I had that Are you talking to me?! reaction where I laughed and turned to watch him walk past. He even turned so he was walking backwards for a moment, prolonging eye contact, then flipped me a cheery wave of his hand, turned away, and be-bopped on his way. I turned also, continuing on my way, and as far as I know, I never saw him again. But the moment - that little gift he gave me - has made me smile to myself more than once in the ensuing years. How easy was that for him to do? How easy would it be for us to do? Just thinking about it.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 19:46:26 +0000
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