Kindness is always just a thought away

I have one simple goal every day. A question I ask myself either in the morning or the evening. What can I do to benefit someone today? What did I do today that benefited someone? If I come up empty then I haven’t lived my best day.

It’s incredible the kindness opportunities that pop up. And it’s as wonderful to be the giver as it is the receiver. Like a big scoop of double fudge ice cream.

Kindness travels with us as a thought. It may find itself buried in the trunk, but it’s there. It goes where we go. The trick is to move it to the front seat.

This is where noticing happens. Probably the biggest hindrance to kindness is failing to see the opportunity. Here’s how noticing worked for me back in March. I got to the grocery store early. The stay-at-home edict had begun. It was just going to be a quick trip for some essential stuff.

At the checkout I thought to spread some cheer by sharing a twenty dollar bill with the cashier—and asking her to choose someone that day who might be encouraged with a little extra surprise cash. She was pleased to participate.

In line behind me was a young woman with a few items. Something about her demeanor sparked another thought. Turning to her I asked, “Could I also encourage you with a twenty?” She said, “Sure.”

As I loaded my groceries I saw her walking across the parking lot to her vehicle. I thought about my envelope with twenties I’d set aside for whatever might come up—and dashed over to her saying, “You know I’d like to add that. Here are a couple more.”

Unexpectedly her eyes filled with tears. I asked, “Are you okay?” Her one-word answer was an arrow in my heart. She said, “Struggling.” At that I handed over the whole envelope. “Here, take the rest.”

I drove home with kindness riding on my hood whooping it up in the morning sun! That was the beginning to a stellar day.

This story doesn’t come from some sort of misplaced do-gooder pride. It’s told to show how noticing activates kindness and kindness draws a circle and says to both giver and receiver, “Come on in.”

Kindness has infinite expressions. Sometimes it’s a financial gift. It might be my bent up bench beneath the cherry tree that my husband fixed good as new. The fresh asparagus the neighbor brought over. The prayer with an anxious friend over the phone.

Kindness really is just a thought away.