Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Meeting Anger With Kindness


--by papamikey, posted Oct 30, 2010

From 1993 through 1998 I was a vendor for Chevrolet dealearships. Each week I would take a look at their used cars that were for sale. I would fix cracks in leather, cigarette burns in fabric,  re-color carpets that had stains, repair windshields that had been hit by a rock, etc.

Every week I would walk into this specific Chevrolet dealer's used car lot  to see what the used cars needed in the way of repairs. The general manager's wife was named Cindy. Cindy was always very rude,  treating me like I was below her or that she was better than me.  I was always upbeat, possitive and kind, but that never seemed to work with her. 

One day she accused me of charging  her to dye the carpet in a mini-van that had a stain in the carpet.  She had driven the van for the weekend and said the stain was not there.  Just trying to continually be agressive, and negitive without cause, she accused me in front of all her peers that day, and because I have always been an honest person who I finally took offense. 

However,  instead of being angry at being looked upon as someone that was not honest or had no integrity, I went to a florist and bought almost $100.00 in red roses with angels breath and had them put  in this nice basket. I picked out a card, and stated that I was sorry for the misunderstanding and that I did not ever have the intention of making her angry.

The following week,  I walked into her office like I did every week with my list of used cars that needed some attention before they were sold and said, "Hi Cindy," with my usual happy and up beat attitude. She gave me this big smile  and said, "You bought me flowers."  Every week thereafter she  would always make a point to say, "Hey Mike,  how ya doin?" or "Nice to see you, how are you?"

This woman began to change, perhaps because of this small act of kindness. It was actually so nice to see Cindy's whole way of being - change with me. She was always very kind, and would always have a big smile when I  walked into her office.

I guess people can change with a little bit of kindness!

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Readers Comments

luv4all wrote: wow, amazing way of handling rudeness, impressive. thanks.
trueblue wrote: What a great thing it is to give...you showed her the light good on you..Great read!
heartofflesh wrote: To be honest I wouldn't have done what you did but I am happy to note you looked at Cindy with the eyes of love.
Hats off to you !
Reminded of a Bible verse
" Love your enemies "
unknown wrote: mike, she probably was very unhappy that it made her very very sensitive ... holding on to lil lil grudges ... but somehow when you broke the barriers and offered her love, she probably realized, good beget good :) A very powerful post mike ... smiles together :):)
Jolie wrote: wow!! I will keep in mind your example when faced with a difficult personality and remember that love is the way
papamikey wrote: deepula,luv4all,trueblue,luckyman,Jolieisn't it nice that we are on this site doing only what makes us feel good, which makes others feel good. Love and Respect to all of you for taking part in making this a better world. Your comments made a difference in my life as well. Thank You, Mikey
tina wrote: Wow, you melted the mean ice queen with kindness. The old adage about killing someone with kindness really works!
debbie wrote: I was so happy to read your story! Praise god! That is what jesus is all about. Love and kindness! Love never ever fails. As your ending proves! Thank you for sharing it.

God bless you!
bookworm58 wrote: To defuse anger you have to respond with kindness even when it is most difficult. You did a good thing and i am glad she changed her attitude toward you. It is said you should treat anger and harsh words with kindness and forgiveness. If anything it will make them think and change in the future. I have also done this and it just baffles the other person when i dont react with anger so the argument can continue. They leave as they dont know what to say at all.
kipkirui wrote: Wow;its amazing how love changes people around us. Let us make it work.

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