Kindness Blooms at the Airport

--by Namaste, posted Jul 3, 2012

Last weekend at the airport, I had some extra time before going through security to catch my flight. While wondering what to do, I decided it was the perfect time and place to look for an anonymous act of kindness to do!

One of the magazine stands outside security had flowers for sale. I told the clerk that I'd like to buy flowers for someone else, and she could decide who to give them to. She looked a little confused, so I suggested perhaps she could give them to someone who looked like they could use some cheering up, and then hand them the smile card with the flowers.

At first, the clerk responded, That's weird." (Or maybe, "That's crazy," I can't remember which.) But then, I explained a little more about smile cards and the concept of doing something kind for a complete stranger, and she brightened up.

"I'll never know how it turns out," I said, "but you will have the opportunity to make someone's day." At that point, she started to seem genuinely excited about it.

She went to take the flowers out of the water they were sitting in, and I explained, "It's fine to leave them in there until the person you want to have them comes."

At that point, I think she was somewhere between flabbergasted and delighted, as it was clear this was not a request she had ever gotten from a customer before :).

I paid for the flowers (with cash, to ensure anonymity), said goodbye, and headed for the security line.

I'll never know how it turned out, but I was on "Cloud 9" for the rest of the morning. :)

[Also, as a sidenote: If any of you have suggestions on how to explain smile cards to people who are not familiar with them, I would love to hear them. I feel I could have done a better job of explaining how the smile card works. I think, ultimately, whatever we say will work, if we are connected with our heart when we say it, but having some ideas in mind beforehand would be great! :)]

7337 Reads

Posted by Namaste
Jul 3, 2012
Comments (17)

Readers Comments

princessliz wrote: Aww, I thought that was really nice, and you got her in on it :)
✿ Flowers for your kindness ✿
^_^

Bluebell wrote: I felt on "cloud 9" just by reading your story lol. I loved the bit "I was in the mood for an annonymous act of kindness" Just imagine all of us having one moment like that once a day... AWSOME :-) Keep on the fantastic work. Bluebell

moral12 wrote: How about: "I'd like to do something nice for someone else, anonymously? Can you help? This card will explain it all!" :)
I'm sure you made that cashier's day AND gave her ideas for getting her own Smile Cards. Thanks for letting us in on your random act of kindness!

MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: I'm with Bluebell, I loved the part that you were in the mood and more importantly that you acted on it!

I think the fact that you took the time to explain the smile card was great. The card itself helps explain it. But the act and your commitment to anonymity was a fantastic demonstration to her of what it is all about!

beeInspired wrote: How sweet! Thanks for sharing your story. Blessings :)

rjpaddy wrote: You deserve a bunch of flowers for this act of kindness.

God bless!

MettaKarunaUpekk wrote: What an inspiring, beautiful story.

Especially that it was at an airport, which can be cold and dehumanizing. Perfect!

You changed two people that day, the recipient and also the store employee.

Blessed2BKind wrote: It's so amazing when we truly want to give just to give to someone else and yet it makes our day so blessed :)

angela wrote: If someone doesn't seem to be getting it i tell them it's kind of like a game i'm playing on the internet. The web site is on the card so they can play too. Never had trouble after that, they are all in!

Bethie wrote: Such a big smile namaste! Your cloud9 is still floating all the way here in colorado with such joy! The joy you gave the clerk and the one who received the flowers and the clerk got to enjoy giving! Wow! Goodness to the nth power! Wheeee!

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