A Story That Left a Little Bit of Shame

A few months back I was left feeling like I didn't do enough for someone. As I was checking out in a grocery store, this lady stood there with their child at the check-out. She was paying with cash. She didn't have enough though.

I sat there and watched item by item as she started getting the clerk to take food items (predominately for her small child) off of her bill.

What the hell was I thinking?

I could have given her $20 and it would have been taken care of and saved her the embarrassment of removing items from her bag...I could tell she somewhat was. I could also tell that in a very subtle sort of way that she could benefit from some help.

She needed that $20 more than I did and although I had no idea what her "story" was, it didn't matter. I was in position to help and I sat there and watched.

I promised myself I would never make such an obvious judgement compassionate blunder again.

How I Am Going to Make Up For It!

This is a time a year where everyone is somewhat stressed. The holiday season is here and although for many it is a joyous one, for others it is a very stressful one. Folks over-extend themselves to make Christmas a wonderful experience for their children with the societal pressures forcing them to do this.

This year I am going to be doing some totally different. I am going to be doing things for people, but I am going to do be doing them in a very random sort of way.

Although charities and food banks do need us during this time and I will likely be donating to that as well, I think we all owe it to society and to others during this time of season to make someone's day.

And do so unexpectedly. Random. Something that will likely encourage them to pass it on.

Here is what I am going to do and you can follow this thread.

I am going to do be doing total random acts of kindness leading up to Christmas and I am going to try to be as creative as possible. As these roll out, I am going to be posting them within this thread so you can follow along.

It's going to be fun and my hopes with each and every 'act' to put a smile on someone's face. To give them hope in the selflessness of humanity once again and hopefully put them in a position where they do want to pay it forward.

But, I Would LOVE Your Involvement!

If you have any "kindness" plans or have done any random acts of kindness recently, I would love to hear about them.

Also, I want everyone to try to make it their goal over the holiday season to do ONE random act of kindness. It doesn't have to require money, it just has to be a random act and one of well, kindness. It could be anything. ;)

It can and will go viral and people will continue to pay it on. There is something about the randomness of it all that has such a profound impact.