Continuing Acts

I realized that in order to complete random acts of kindness, you must expect nothing in return. It is amazing how you may not see the trickle effect you have on others, but it eventually comes back to you and you hope that you were a part of it. Some things that I did these past two weeks were to make sure that I was completing random acts to people I don't know. Completing them for friends is almost like a comfort, you know they will appreciate it, but you don't have to step out and help a stranger.
Some of the random acts of kindness these past two weeks were: baking stuff for the office, buying someone's food at Wendy's, saying good morning to the first five people I see, smiling when I walk by someone in the office, holding the door for people behind me, and purchasing items from someone's fundraiser at work. I really enjoy the good morning and smiling because some people just don't expect it. You never know if it is making someone's day.
I was actually at the store this week and was short twenty cents. I didn't want to pay with a card because it was like three dollars so I was going to run to my car. The lady was so generous and offered to pay it for me! That has never happened before! A penny, ok, but this I believe is one of these ripples making its way back to me. I also heard a story from a friend that at a store there was a family who couldn't pay for their groceries so the person behind them paid. They were so greatful that they used their cash to pay for the person behind them. It went on for a while and the cashier was so amazed with the generousity that she had seen.
Its stories like these that make you get a real sense for human compassion. I want to make sure that I am apart of one of those stories one day. You never know when or where you are going to be making a difference. I always think about the saying - treat people the way you want to be treated. Everyone appreciates someone being kind to them, large or small. Actions definitely speak louder than words.