As I was sitting in an outdoor cafe a few days ago, I was approached by a young entrepreneurial lad who was methodically moving through the restaurant appealing to patrons to support his school chocolate drive. As he neared my table, I was fondly reminded of the days when I used to tirelessly walk the streets of our suburb with a cardboard box of chocolates under my arm appealing for support. On the rare occasion, there would be someone who would decline the purchase of a chocolate bar, but would generously offer to either donate money to the cause or to buy me one of the proceeds. It’s amazing how much of an impression those small acts left on my young mind, that someone would be willing to invest money without gain, to give unconditionally in an act of pure goodwill.

I gave the $2 contribution to the young boy but declined the chocolate, hoping this small act of generosity would be equally impressionable upon his mind as was granted to me so many years ago. This small act was at very little expense or inconvenience to me yet I am convinced it was enough to make a difference. It exemplifies the fact that generosity or ‘goodwill’ doesn’t have to cost a lot, it doesn’t require a huge amount of sacrifice, all it takes is an extended hand of thoughtfulness and an attitude which suppresses self-gratification if only for a moment in order to cloak ourselves with the needs of the world around us.