The Empty Seat Next to Mine

--by jacqueline, posted Dec 6, 2007

I've been holding on to a good bunch of Smile Cards for some time now and decided it was about time I started using them more often! Any opportunity I get, no matter how big or small I am going to do an act of kindness and encourage the pay-it-forward idea.

The other day I attended a large business event. I was seated in a row of seats where all chairs were taken except for one chair next to me. It was the only good viewing spot left in the room. There were other chairs available, but they were a distance away and to the side of the room.

A few minutes later, two young men stood near me gazing the auditorium for the best seats they could find. "How many seats do you need?" I inquired. "Two," one of them replied. I flashed back to my Smile Card resolution and immediately got up. "Here, you can my seat and the one next to mine. I'll go find another single seat."

Little bit surprised-yet-delighted, they insisted I stay there and that they didn't expect me to move just for them. I said, "Consider it a random act of kindness. Here, take this card and pay-it-forward. Have a great day!".

I walked off feeling great. The two young men read the Smile Card with great big smiles on their faces and thanked me from across the room. Just seeing the joy on their faces filled my heart with incredible love.

7821 Reads

Posted by jacqueline
Dec 6, 2007
Comments (19)

Readers Comments

AURELIA wrote: What a great start to using them.I'm proud of you. THat was a great idea! You were on the look out for opportunities and found a great one. :) ~Aurelia

jennieG wrote: I am waiting for my cards too so that I can create more smiles in this world (one RAOK at a time)

ieiblue wrote: raok... :p

inspiringstories wrote: wow..this story made me smile. thanks for sharing!

BigRedClown wrote: eeeeeee hahaha

so it wasnt anonymous?! dont most or all of the cards say "anonymous act of kindness" ? not being sarcastic... just curious :0)

nice story.. i bet they were delighted

JZ wrote: Big Red Clown, seeing the recipient of your kindness doesn't necessarily mean that you aren't anonymous. I'm sure the person didn't even know Jacqueline's name, which is kind of cool.

Jacqueline, great act! I especially dig that your determination to do something with your smile cards on that day. Isn't it a grand feeling to just know that you're going to do something kind but don't exactly know what it is?!?

lmil1954 wrote: Bravo jacqueline! what an awesome "move" you made. Hugs and smiles to you!

lOVEBUG wrote: This little card speaks louder then words

katlampi wrote: This is very sweet of you! I think about how many times I have been in church or at a play by myself, and could have given up my seat for a family or couple who needed two together. Most of the time I don't do those things only because I feel it would be an awkward conversation, and that the recipients would feel almost guilty for "taking" my seat. Your story and their reaction has inspired me! Thank you for sharing this!

gwboocat wrote: Wow! That's awesome! Keep up the generosity.

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