W18: Seven-Day Snapshot - Random Acts Of Kindness

In a world that can often feel divided, small acts of kindness remind us of the power of human connection. In this episode, we explore real-life stories of everyday generosity that occurred just last week—seemingly simple gestures that leave a lasting impact. We dive into why these moments matter more than ever. Tune in for a dose of positivity and be reminded that even the smallest kindness can change someone’s day—or even their life. 🌍❤️ #KindnessMatters #RandomActsOfKindness #HumanConnection

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W18: SEVEN-DAY SNAPSHOT - RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS AT THE OUTDOOR RETAILER REI RETURNING A GIFT, AND AS I WAS LEAVING, THERE WAS A WOMAN INFRONT OF ME CARRYING SEVERAL BAGS IN HER HANDS. IF YOU’VE EVER BEEN IN AN REI YOU KNOW THEY HAVE THESE HEAVY WOOD DOORS, WITH ICE AXES FOR DOOR HANDLES. AS SHE APPROACHED THE FRONT DOORS, IT WAS CLEAR SHE’D NEED TO PUT DOWN HER THINGS IN ORDER TO OPEN ONE OF THE DOORS SO SHE COULD LEAVE.

SO, I DID WHAT I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD HAVE DONE IN THAT SITUATION, I HURRIED AROUND HER AND PUSHED THE DOOR OPEN AND HELD IT SO SHE DIDN’T NEED TO DROP HER THINGS.

THE LOOK SHE GAVE ME WAS THIS EXPRESSION OF SURPRISE AND ELATION…AS IF SHE’D NEVER SEEN SOMEONE DO SOMETHING SO KIND. IT WAS NO BIG DEAL SO IT GOT ME THINKING: WHY WAS SHE SO SURPRISED…ARE SMALL, KIND GESTURES LIKE THIS BETWEEN STRANGERS DISAPPEARING?

I DID SOME RESEARCH ABOUT TRENDS IN RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS, AND COULDN’T FIND ANY RESEARCH, BUT WHAT I LANDED ON WAS A WEBSITE CALLED SUNNYSKYZ THAT GIVES READERS A WAY TO SEND IN STORIES OF THESE RANDOM, KIND ACTS.

SO, I WANTED TO TAKE THIS EPISODE AND SHARE JUST A HANDFUL OF STORIES SENT IN FROM EVERYDAY PEOPLE OF THINGS THAT OCCURRED JUST LAST WEEK.

EPISODE

A WOMAN IN NEW YORK MADE HER WAY ON TO THE SUBWAY. SHE HAD INURED HER FINGER, SO SHE WAS WEARING A SMALL SPLINT WITH A LADYBUG STICKER ON IT. A LITTLE BOY WHO WAS SITTING IN ONE OF THE SEATS STARED AT HER FINGER WHILE SHE STOOD HOLDING ONTO THE RAIL. WITHOUT ANYONE PROMPTING HIM, HE JUMPED UP FROM HIS SEAT AND OFFERED IT TO HER, SO SHE TOOK IT. AND THEN, AS SHE ENJOYED THE COMFORTABLE RIDE, AND AS THE CHILD STOOD HOLDING ONTO THE RAIL, THE TRAIN BOUNCING HIM AROUND, HE LOOKED AT HER AND GAVE HER A SMILE.

A WOMAN WAS BY HERSELF FILLING UP HER CAR WITH GAS AT NIGHT IN THE COLD. HER ELDERLY FATHER HAD JUST FRACTURED HIS NECK IN A FALL AND HER MIND WAS FOCUSED ON WHAT SHE’D NEED TO DO TO TAKE CARE OF HIM. SHE WAS OUT OF WIPER FLUID AND SHE WAS STRUGGLING TO ADD THE NEW FLUID TO HER CAR. A MAN FILLING HIS TANK NEXT TO HER CAME OVER AND TOLD HER HE’D BE HAPPY TO TAKE CARE OF IT – AND FOR HER TO GO BACK INSIDE HER CAR TO STAY WARM. THE MAN FINISHED FILLING THE WASHER FLUID AND LEFT, LEAVING HER SOBBING BECAUSE SHE WAS SO TOUCHED BY HIS SMALL GESTURE AT A TIME WHEN SHE REALLY NEEDED IT.

A WOMAN IN OKLAHOMA HAD JUST FOUND OUT THAT HER FATHER’S HEART TRANSPLANT IN TEXAS DIDN’T GO WELL AND HE WAS PLACED IN A MEDICAL COMA. SHE WOKE UP AT 3:30 IN THE MORNING TO MAKE THE DRIVE FROM OKLAHOMA TO VISIT HIM IN THE HOSPITAL IN TEXAS. RATTLED AND EXHAUSTED FROM STRESS, SHE PULLED INTO THE FIRST STARBUCKS DRIVE THRU SHE COULD FIND THAT WAS OPEN. SHE PLACED HER ORDER AND PULLED UP TO THE WINDOW TO FIND THE PERSON WHO WAS IN FRONT OF HER HAD ALREADY PAID FOR HER COFFEE AND LEFT. THE GESTURE MEANT SO MUCH TO HER, IT GAVE HER THE STRENGTH TO KEEP A POSITIVE MINDSET FOR THE REST OF THE DRIVE, AND IT CARRIED HER THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND BEYOND.

A WOMAN WAS AT THE CHECKOUT AT A GIANT GROCERY STORE. WHEN IT CAME TIME FOR HER TO ENTER HER CARD, THE MAN BEHIND HER INTRODUCED HIMSELF AS STEVE, AND SAID HE’D LIKE TO GET THEM FOR HER. HE PLACED HIS CREDIT CARD ON THE READER AND JUST LIKE THAT, HE PAID FOR HER GROCERIES. SHE WAS IN SHOCK. SHE THANKED HIM AND THEN WENT OUTSIDE THE STORE AND CRIED.

AFTER A LONG DAY OF WORK, A WOMAN DROVE HOME THROUGH SNOWY CONDITIONS. SHE DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO SHOVEL THE DRIVEWAY THAT MORNING, SO WHEN SHE PULLED BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY, HER CAR GOT STUCK IN THE SNOW. SHE DID EVERYTHING SHE COULD TO FREE IT BUT NO LUCK….WHEN SUDDENLY, A MAN STOPPED HIS CAR IN THE ROAD, JUMPED OUT AND PUSHED WITH HER TO HELP FREE THE CAR. JUST AS QUICKLY HE WAS GONE….AND SHE DIDN’T EVEN HAVE A CHANCE TO THANK HIM.

AS I THINK ABOUT THE SURPRISED LOOK ON THE FACE OF THE WOMAN AT REI, …I SHOULD BE FAIR…THERE’S A GOOD CHANCE MY HAIR WAS STANDING UP OR I HAD SOMETHING HANGING OUT OF MY NOSE, WHICH IS COMMON. MAYBE SHE DOESN’T GET OUT MUCH. NOT SURE.

BUT I’M CONVINCED THESE INCIDENTS WHERE PEOPLE ARE RANDOMLY HELPING ONE ANOTHER ARE STILL HAPPENING ALL AROUND US. WE NEED THEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN THINGS ARE UNCERTAIN AND THERE’S AN ANXIOUS BUZZ IN THE AIR.  IT’S UP TO US TO NOT LET SOME OF THE TOXICITY WE’RE SEEING ON THE NEWS OR LISTENING TO ON A PODCAST BLUR OUR BELIEF IN THE ONE THING WE CAN ALWAYS RELY ON: ONE ANOTHER.

https://www.sunnyskyz.com/feel-good-stories