Tuesday, January 8, 2008

RAOK

RAOK = Random Act of Kindness

I was in a fowl mood this last week. I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe it was the weather, or my new job, having to go back to work after vacation, I just don't know. I don't like being that way, but sometimes it's hard to shake.
Last Friday I went grocery shopping alone like I always do these days. Now that my husband works day shift I get a couple "free" hours to walk the aisles of the local Super store.
I needed this time to myself this week as I was driving my son and husband crazy.
As I walked the aisles I got more and more annoyed with people who were self absorbed, people that were rude and inconsiderate. I thought to myself "Jeez people, you create the life you have, just lighten up and be considerate". That's when the light bulb went off in my tiny brain.. I've been a jerk. I've been moping around and for what?
Then at the checkout stand, as I was taking items out of my over flowing shopping cart I noticed a very young couple standing behind me in line. They were holding a baby and two large boxes of diapers. Without even thinking about it I said "Here, go in front of me, you only have a couple items"
They looked at me shocked " Are you sure?" they asked. "Yes, of course, you go first"
I stopped the clerk from ringing up my first item " They can go first."
I wasn't even finished unloading my cart when they were done checking out. "Thank you ma'am" they both said as they left.
The clerk said " That was nice of you to let them go in front"
I replied " I believe what you put out in this world comes back to you"
I do believe it, because I was throwing out crap and it was coming straight back at me.
I left the store with a smile on my face and I plan to try and keep it there.
Do a random act of kindness for someone, it may just come back to you with a smile.

4 comments:

Corey~living and loving said...

GREAT POST! I am with you on this one Autumn. Life is what you make it.

hugs!

Cynthia said...

What a great post...I gotta get on that page!

Maude Lynn said...

What a wonderful thing to do!

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

YES! A great post. I often do let people in with only a few things if I have a lot, but it is wonderful to pay attention. I often cry when someone does something nice for me and I even cry when I do something nice for someone else of the RA variety.