I recently had an idea for a large scale, random act of
kindness project. I bought a handful of
flashcards and wrote inspirational messages on them to be distributed to
strangers. I am an avid runner and at first I would run with the flashcards
and fling them into the air letting my messages flow with the wind to their
destined targets. I later decided to personally give the flashcards out, in
public, to people who looked like they needed them.
My project produced amazing results! I got a lot of positive
responses, mainly in the form of a smile or a “thank you”, and people seemed genuinely
touched by my efforts. Some did not and refused to accept the flashcards. One
lady, who I gave a flashcard that read “:) SMILE! :)” responded
“Smile? WHY??” in a very cynical way. I continued walking as I realized she
clearly needed that specific message.
One day, as I walk through the park, I see a Jamaican man sitting
on a bench. He is on the phone and looks up in despair as I walk by. I had
located my next target. I casually stroll around the park again until I came
back to the man on the bench. He is off the phone now and has a distant look
in his eyes. Clearly lost in his thoughts, I approach the man and hand him
a flashcard that read “Don’t give up!” He took the card and froze. “Thank you”
he stammered. I smile and continued walking. I knew that one had found its
mark.
As I walk along, I think about what I had done. It
fills me up with happiness because I know that my little kindness really impacted the
Jamaican man and many others in a positive way. God only knows how far that can
travel.
About a week later I was jogging through the neighborhood (I
am in New York now). I wasn’t in a particularly great mood and jogging usually
lifts my Spirits… Not this time! Even as I jogged, my fears and personal issues
occupied my mind. I was irritable and anxious and very impatient for what the
next positive thing life had to offer. I kept going as my pump-up song started
to play on my ipod. My jog turns into fast run as I sprint down one of the
busiest streets. In the distance, I see an old man distributing flyers. I am fast approaching and I know he will offer me one as I fly by. “Hell no, I don’t
want one,” I thought.
Sure enough, as I run closer to the old man he stretches out his arm and offers me a leaflet. Time
had slowed at this point. At first I ignore the flyer and my body language
strongly says so. Then, in a split second, I change my mind and furiously
grab the flyer as I bolt past him. I continue running as I looked down to
quickly glance at the flyer, having every intention of crumpling it up and
throwing it in the face of the next passerby.
I looked down and my knees buckle. In bold letters the
flyer read:
“DON’T GIVE UP!”
My attitude quickly changes. I smile and eventually start to laugh. I guess my random act of kindness really did travel far.
DON’T GIVE UP!!!!!
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