A Heartfelt And Random Act Of Kindness
The power that lies within a random act of kindness is life changing. Here’s a moving story about one of them. From time to time, we all hear stories about random acts of kindness or paying it forward. These stories always manage to make us smile and warm our hearts – then the moments pass, and we carry on our days mostly without a second thought of them. We tend to get bogged down in our busy days and nights without giving a thought to how essential and life-altering they are, and how to actively make a point of creating an act of kindness ourselves.
Most of us would like to believe that we are generous and loving people and that we wouldn’t give a second thought when it came to helping someone out. After all, there are thousands of stories of people spreading the word about random acts of kindness and, there are loads of websites strictly devoted to sharing stories about them! Yet, it begs the question – when were YOU responsible for creating one of these moments? When was the last time you did something so selfless and completely altruistic that it made you beam with love and light inside?
We hear stories about people leaving generous tips for wait-staff, or leaving spare change taped to vending machines, or someone in line ahead of you at your local Starbucks paying for your java fix and even possibly starting a chain reaction. These stories always leave us to feel warm and fuzzy and cause us to think, “Well, next time, I’ll do that too” but have you? If indeed you have, then awesome kudos to you! You are a link in the chain that makes this world a better place – there are enough link breakers that’s for sure!
I’m not going to divulge a name here as the person I’m talking about would prefer I didn’t. Let’s call her Fairy Dust Girl! She is one of those “spreading light and fairy dust” women that doesn’t like taking credit for her amazing acts of love and kindness. Her acts of kindness are bountiful and always thoughtful and filled with spontaneity. Her last one was no different.
She was shopping at her local Target and in line preparing to check out when she heard behind her much excitement as well as the laughter of children. “Oh my gosh” the woman behind her screeched out with emotion. “I must have this book!” she resoundingly said. The three small children giggled with excitement for their mom. “Get it mom get it” one cried out. “I will sleep here overnight and read it if I can!” the mom said laughing.
Obviously, she was very excited about the prospects of reading this book and made it clearly known to everyone around her. The bunch chatted about how good this book was and how long she waited for its release. As quickly as she picked up the book she placed it back down on the book rack. Her face suddenly grew sad, but only for a few seconds. She then faced her children and quickly changed the course of the conversation while occasionally glancing over at the book with longing.
Fairy dust girl knew exactly what she wanted to do and was quickly planning on how to execute this act anonymously. She rushed off the line after checking out, grabbed the book quietly and swiftly and went on another line to buy it. She knew she had to do this before book lady left the store and politely asked the cashier to give the book to her without saying who it came from. “Oh no, so sorry. I’m not allowed to do that” the cashier said with surprise and then asked, “Do you know her”? As if that had to be the criteria for the purchase.
Fairy dust girl knew she had to act fast as book lady was walking towards the exit. She rushed over to her, handed her the book and said, “I think you forgot something”. Book lady saw the book through the sheer plastic bag it was in and began to immediately get teary. “Oh my gosh” she cried along with a long string of thank you’s. Her children didn’t know what to make of the situation, but they knew it was a good thing.
They knew it was an act of kindness and love. Book lady was clearly in shock over this act of kindness and kept on repeating, “thank you thank you”, along with an “I just can’t believe this”. Fairy dust girl’s parting words were, of course, “Enjoy it! Just spreading some love and light” and was out of the store in what seemed a magical moment.
It’s moments like those when the universe touches us with all with its infinite wisdom and love. Whatever force, entity, or God you believe doesn’t matter – it’s that moment, that pure act of altruism that connects us all divinely.
I’m sure Fairy dust girl left feeling…divine, connected and loved – with on exception.
The next day, she approached me and asked if I thought it was OK that book lady knew it was her. She expressed how she wanted this act of kindness to be anonymous and didn’t intend for her to know it was from her – almost as if she felt guilty in some way that her act of kindness wasn’t anonymous.
I looked directly into her eyes and told her that is was OK that she knew it was from her. That giving and taking is a symbiotic relationship – that the relationship of giving and taking is often necessary and good for both parties to rejoice in.
I expressed how she should feel wonderful about enjoying that moment just as much as book lady did, and there was nothing wrong with spending that loving moment in joy with her! Fairy dust girl looked at ease with herself in that moment realizing that it was indeed OK for her to enjoy and share those moments with the people who are lucky enough to be at the receiving end of them.
This loving random act of kindness warmed my heart as they always do, but this one was different because Fairy dust girl’s intentions were so pure and loving and the fact that it brought her to actually fret over it made me sad. We all need to rejoice in these moments and know that they are even more powerful and meaningful if we allow ourselves to celebrate in them too!
Think about how positively affected book ladies’ children were in seeing that act of kindness? I’m sure it’s a moment they will never forget and bring into their adulthood knowing that there are indeed many good and loving people and that the world can be a beautiful place if we all share in the responsibility of making it so.
I would love to have been a fly on the wall in book ladies’ house that evening. I’d be buzzing around with joy and the knowledge that one person’s actions can and do change everything!
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I really needed to hear this today. Thank you for sharing this life affirming story.
Thanks Carol – I just had to share such a heartwarming tale! Have a wonderful week!
What an uplifting story! Have just been reading the newspaper details about the horrible church shooting here in Charleston and am glad you shared this tale of random kindness.
thanks much Diane. I had to share this story…it moved me beyond words. Thanks much for stopping by and have a great week!
This is lovely. Thank you for sharing such inspiration. I think random acts are the best. Anonymous ones even better.
Thanks much Lisa…I was so moved I just had to share this wonderful moment!
I love this story and I think your hit it right — the impact is not just on the book lady but on her children and everyone they all tell. It is about acting in the name of kindness and joy in the moment isn’t it? Thanks so much for sharing this uplifting story!!!
thanks much Ruth. Yes indeed it is. I was so moved I just had to share this story. (shhhh don’t tell anyone but Fairy Dust Girl is my daughter) lol She lightens my life with her actions and generosity!
Such a beautiful act! And how wonderful to think that it may even inspire the woman and her children to pay it forward by doing something for someone else in the future. Truly lovely – thank you for sharing this story.
Thanks much Laurel, It’s so heartwarming to hear stories like this one. They always bring joy to my heart. Glad you enjoyed it. Have a wonderful week!
This is such a beautiful post. I love hearing these kind of stories. How strange that cashier wasn’t allowed to do it for her! You would’t think there would be a policy on that! I’m glad she decided to give up her anonymity and hand the book to book lady herself. :)
Thanks much Sarah! Yes, it’s amazing how a small act of kindness can change everything. I thought that was odd too, but I guess they are trained not to get involved in stuff like that over at Target. It was a beautiful moment that I will always cherish. Always good seeing you!
Uplifting and such a powerful reminder of the difference we can make in people’s lives, just by being kind! Thanks for starting my day on a high note.
Yay on the share twitter handle!!
Thank you! Have a wonderful weekend my friend!
I’m so glad you loved the post!
What a beautiful story! The cashier, the children, the woman who received the gift will all pay forward the gifts received and witnessed that day.
Thanks so much Laura, what makes it more special to me is Fairy dust girl is my daughter. She is always doing loving acts like that. Really warms my heart. Thanks much and have a wonderful weekend!
Such a sweet kind story. Loving acts like this really show our true nature as humans! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Patti. I really appreciate your kind words.
Random acts of kindness always help and as mother this is a good way to teach your child.
Thanks for your comment and for stopping by. I agree. It’s a great way to teach children.
Hi,
Great great great article .You rock through this post .I found this article interesting and helpful too.It really tech us lesson to serve humanity and spread love in the entire nation .A big thanks for the post keep sharing :)
Hi Jerry, thanks so much for your awesome comment. It made my day. I was so inspired by this act of kindness and knew others would be too. Thanks again for stopping by and commenting. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you again soon!
Carolann