I would like to share how paying it forward to someone came back to me in ways I would never had imagined. (If this is too long for you to read, skip to the last paragraph) ************************************************************** A couple years ago on January 1st I heard a knock on my door in the middle of the afternoon. I opened the door to find a stranger, standing there with a grin and a single envelope in her hand. She greeted me warmly and I asked what I could do for her. She asked for my name, and I hesitated, not yet certain of what she wanted, but decided she didn’t look as if she was selling anything and her warm smile disarmed me entirely. I gave her my name, and she confirmed, then handed me the envelope. I expressed curiosity and asked what it was without opening it. She said the envelope was from an anonymous “friend” and that she would like to stay that way. I was puzzled and asked if I could know the name of the messenger and was given only a first name. She suggested I not seek answers, but consider the contents of the envelope as a gift in return for some genuine kindness that I had shared with the giver in a moment when she needed kindness some time previously. I could not remember anyone that I was especially kind to as I try to spread kindness whenever I can. After the short exchange I stood by my wood stove filled with curiosity and amusement. I slowly opened the envelope expecting a belated Christmas wish or something of the like and instead pulled out a $100 dollar bill. I was shocked. Even more amazing was that there was more. I pulled up another $100 dollar bill. And then another. Five bills later I stood dumbfounded. Who gives another person $500 for showing kindness? Know one I knew personally at the time has that much extra money to share. Most importantly, the gift was undoubtably one of love, not ego. To this day I do not know who gave me this gift. To this day I remain grateful that showing kindness to others comes with its own reward. To this day I remember the most important lesson I can think of from this true story. Share generously of your love and kindness; You may just touch someone’s life in ways you can not imagine, and the depth of comfort you offer may change that life forever. Ultimately, had that person “paid it forward” I wouldn’t have known that I affected someone so deeply, so along with paying it forward, watch for how others have shared with you and tell THAT story, not the one of what you did for others. For this weekend, consider SHARING WHAT SOMEONE HAS DONE FOR YOU without hopes of a return, and OMIT SHARING WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR OTHERS unless the emphasis is on the wondrous feelings of supporting another, and the tangible effects it has had on THEM. OH HOW I WISH I COULD THANK THE PERSON DIRECTLY WHO HAS SHARED WITH ME. -….And yet, how grateful I am that they were unselfish enough not to need that.
Posted on: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 20:18:19 +0000
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