Kindness - Just Do It! | KindSpring.org

Kindness - Just Do It!

--by Lawnchair, posted Dec 1, 2012

I drove into the supermarket parking lot and there were 2 homeless young people at the entrance with the standard "homeless and hungry" sign. I felt the usual hopeless feeling and irritation. I decided that I would drive out the other exit so I wouldn't have to see them when I left.

While shopping in the store I choose some really great cherries and proceeded to purchase freely. When I was leaving the store, heading to my car, I saw the young homeless woman going around the parking lot asking for help. No one seemed to being offering help and for a moment I could feel her hopelessness. I was still set on driving out the other entrance believing that I shouldn't helpout and continue the homeless cycle.

As I was leaving the parking lot I thought of a talk I had listened to the night before - about kindness and how even a small ripple makes a difference. I noticed my internal battle and as I was driving away something shifted and I decided to go back and help out. I re-entered the parking lot going the wrong way and went up to the young homeless man and rolled down the window offering him $5.00 and the bag of cherries.

He seemed genuinely startled and very thankful. I told him to be well and as he thanked me I thanked him. This rush of emotion swept over me and I started to cry. Why was I so worried about how they were going to spend the $5.00? The ridiculousness of my earlier thoughts surfaced and I realized that it just didn't matter what they did with the money or the food. I knew that the exchange was about one person caring for another. That was all that truly mattered.

My new motto, when I am in doubt about an act of kindness is it to...Just Do It!!

3274 Reads

Posted by Lawnchair
Dec 1, 2012
Comments (10)

Readers Comments

thaata wrote: One man to another. That is the spirit. My salutes to you.

jsmc10 wrote: Wow, thank you for sharing :)

smileswithhope wrote: What a profound realization! Thank you for sharing your story-- i am going to think of it the next time i hesitate to do an act of kindness. :)

aredtailhawk1 wrote: You are so right! And i should ignore the fear paradigm my husband lives in and open my heart and generosity even when he's protesting beside me. Thank you for sharing this moment in your life.

Jan wrote: When i am going out i pack a pb and jelly sandwich and piece of fruit or carton of juice. I make 3 of these lunches and pass them out to people asking for help. They seemed surprised that someone took the time to pack them a lunch.

Sundi wrote: I think many of us have been in that same place before - second guessing what a homeless person will do with a bit of cash. One day i found myself shamed beyond measure at my rush to judgement, and i've never looked back. It's not always easy to give cash when you're strapped yourself, but even a dollar makes a difference to someone who is truly hungry. Thanks for sharing your story.

Tamilyn wrote: I would rather give foolishly then to chance not helping when needed. Thank you for sharing!

MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: Good for you for going back! I think to Just Do It to Kindness is a great way to go! :)

moral12 wrote: Very kind of you to take the time to care AND share your money and cherries with them. (I don't know.......I might have had to substitute another fruit; cherries aren't always in season!) ;)
Kudos to you.

mssmileyface wrote: Thank you! I had the same internal battle until I read somewhere that "If you give money and then second-guess what the recipient does with the money, it's not a gift.". I love the "a-ha" moments. :)

Add A Comment

Name

Comment Description

Spam Block: Please answer this simple math question 5 + 3 =

Stories of Kindness from Around the World