Do We Know How to Accept Kindness?

A while ago, I was standing in line at Whole Foods about to pay for some lunch. There were a few guys in front of me in the line. I was in my own world, as I often am, thinking about my day or errands I needed to run and didn’t really pay much attention to what was going on in front of me. I heard one of the gentlemen say, “I’ll be paying for hers as well.” There was then a long pause and I looked up and everyone was looking at me. Of course, I didn’t realize he was referring to me so I looked behind me. He said, “I’m paying for your lunch.” And my first response was, “No, you don’t have to do that.” What the hell?! Thankfully, the brother demonstrated patience and simply said, “I know I don’t, but I am.” At that point, I became uncomfortable. I allowed him to pay for my lunch, but the entire time I was thinking, “Is he going to ask me for my number?”, “Do I need to give it to him even if he doesn’t ask?”, “Ok, what exactly am I supposed to do?” I actually couldn’t understand why this man was paying for my lunch. Do you understand what I’m saying? I couldn’t comprehend his small act of kindness and why it wasn’t attached to any expectation.

Today, I have been reflecting on acts of kindness and the energy that those acts bring to the giver. It must have given him a certain amount of pleasure to be able to do that for me, inspite of my ambiguity over the motive. I am grateful that I stepped beyond my comfort zone long enough to allow him to do it. Now, upon reflection, I realize that I should have done something similar for the next person in line. Nonetheless, I am certain that this gentleman has received so much more in return for doing this. He did not ask for my number and I did not offer it, but I did express sincere gratitude and I was HAPPY for the rest of the day.

These feelings are too few and far between in our lives. Which is why I gave all of my friends the challenge of going out and performing a random act of kindness. Ghandi said “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” I want to see more love, kindness, and happiness. Therefore, I have to change not only how I respond to kindness, but also focus on being more kind to others. And not just people I know. That beautiful, sweet, gentleman gave me a gift and didn’t want anything from me in return. How often does that happen? Not often. But I honestly believe we can change that. I’m going to do my part. And I challenge you to “…be the change YOU want to see in the world.” Whatever that is. Peace and blessings, Y’all!