receive random acts of kindness

A woman in the coffee shop – a complete stranger – complimented me last night. smile

(I’m always so surprised when this happens: I barely managed to say “Thanks.”)

The barista gave me a free “upsize” on my coffee drink this evening. smile

The barista gave me a free “upsize” on my coffee drink on Wednesday. smile

Saturday at a training meeting someone I don’t know complimented me (on my hair & blouse); it’s always nice to get a compliment, perhaps especially nice to receive an unexpected one. smile

While driving in traffic through a construction zone today, I was surprised & pleased when a stranger let me in as two lanes narrowed to become one. smile

It was particularly nice to have this random act of kindness offered to me since I’m familiar with that area & know that the “Average Joe” (or Jane) driving through there usually speeds up in order to prevent anyone from “cutting line” (that is, from merging into the traffic flow)!

When I went into “my” coffee house this morning, the woman who had entered before me said that I could go ahead with my order, first (I did, and then “passed on the favor” with a double tip to the baristas’ jar).

Later today, when I was walking with my arms full, carrying a large & awkward (if not heavy) load, strangers (twice) held doors open for me to pass through.

smile

As I was leaving work yesterday, I pulled the car off the road & put on my flashers, so that I could pause long enough to snap a photo of the big snow fort that some people had created on the lawn near the parking area, during the lunch hour. grin

When I did this, the car behind me – instead of either racing past or honking, all-too-typical behaviors – instead pulled up alongside. The driver rolled his window down in order to ask whether my car was stuck or having problems & if he could be of any help. smile

I reassured him that all was well, explaining that I’d only stopped to make a photo, & pointed out the snow fort—which made him smile too! grin

As I wrote when I established this goal, I hope it will be a way to become “more aware of the random goodnesses in my life & to be more consciously grateful for them!” smile

A few of the random acts of kindness I’ve been blessed by since I last posted on this topic….

• being greeted by a cheerful barista
• a brief but warm & friendly chat with the woman in line next to me, waiting to get coffee
• receiving compliments from strangers(!)
• being “let in” when driving in traffic
• a sweet & unexpected e-mail thank-you from an acquaintance

Small & very much appreciated kindnesses that I experienced today (it was a real “Murphy’s Law” kind of day!):

• the woman clerking at the gas station register who really “didn’t have to” but nonetheless came out into the bitter cold with me in order to figure out why the pump wasn’t working right

• the sales clerk at the clothing store who “made it right” (when it seemed as if the first salesperson wasn’t going to honor the posted sale price): she even apologized for the delay, the time it took to sort things out

A few of the many small kindnesses that I’ve noticed since last posting about this goal:

• being greeted by a cheerful grocery store clerk
• being greeted by a friendly barista
• being given a free syrup shot in my coffee drink on several occasions
• receiving compliments from work acquaintances
• receiving compliments from strangers(!) – not sure why this one amazes me, but it does grin
• being “let in” when driving in traffic