Quick Hits of Kindness – Nice Photos and Angry People

Good morning and happy Friday everyone!  My sister sent me this collection of photos and it made my heart happy (I hope the Kindle came with a charger and I’m always leery of people who accept payment in “hugs” but the images are a nice change from what we’ve seen in the news this week).

I felt a weird energy in the air this week – maybe because of the number of angry people I encountered over the past few days. Picture this: I’m at the check-out line with my weekend groceries and one of my items didn’t scan, so the cashier called for a price check. The man behind me sighed loudly and banged his pork chops down. Normally, I’d say “take it easy”.

I didn’t.

I turned and smiled at him. He glared at me and shook his head in disgust.

I packed up my things as we waited for the price check and once it came I paid for everything, wishing the cashier a lovely weekend. Grumpypants behind me said “you should really pay attention to the prices when you shop”.

Oh?   Looking for a fight are we?

I had a choice in that moment.  Every cell in my body wanted to lash out and return his anger with a self-rightious “fuuuuuuuuck you!”.

The outcome of that would be a surge of adrenaline throughout my body. The argument would have escalated (because I don’t back down easily) and I would have been angry on the ride home – which would have affected my driving. I’d be annoyed at his unprovoked hostility toward me and I’d be all wound-up when our son got home. I’d recount the story to Lee, which would fuel my indignance. It would have coloured my entire day. This is not the ripple effect I want in my life.

So in that moment, I fought the anger. Turned and looked him straight in the eye and said “I wish you peace and love today and every day”.

He didn’t know how to respond.

I left him gobsmacked. In a non-hostile way.

I went merrily on my way – no adrenaline, – no bad feelings at all – in fact. Just a sense of peace.  Wishing all of you a peaceful weekend full of good thoughts and feelings. Quick hits of kindness don’t always come easily on days like these, but they are worth fighting for.

Here are the photos my sister sent me:

The man who gave the shoes off his feet to this homeless girl. This motorcyclist who stopped to help an old woman pass safely. This barber, who offers haircuts for the price of a single hug. Consolation knows no color The police officer who handcuffed himself to a woman to make sure she knew she’d have to take him with her. The many people who helped make this boy’s dream come true. This dog owner who mourned by giving. This store employee who gives extra service. The person who decided to put new tires on a stranger’s car just because he needed it.  The crowd who decided a fan should be able to watch the show, no matter what. This dry cleaning place that helps the unemployed for free. These kids helping an injured member of their rival team to score. The man who played for fun and gave his winnings away. This man who missed his train helping this older lady with her bags. This man who gave something to a homeless man no one gives – something to occupy his mind. And Dan, a man who, twice a week, buys coffee for every patient, nurse and doctor at local cancer centers. The people at the animal hospital, knowing how hard it is to say goodbye. This man who gave his umbrella away so this cat could have a dry night. The paramedics.