Aug 3, 2010
My life is amazing. I am given constant reminders every single day of how I am being guided by the universe in the most amazing ways.
My favourite quote that I have ever said is…
“Be the kindest person you can be and the world will come to you!”
I made this up because it exemplifies what I believe. The kinder you are, the more the universe will shower you with opportunities, kindness, dreams, wonderful friendships and support.
I once was kind to a gate agent in Chicago during a massive ice storm. She rewarded me with a seat on the only plane leaving that night… first class. I don’t do kind things because I want or expect anything in return. On the contrary, I actually get a little more joy when only I know.
It wasn’t to long ago I was out for a sushi dinner at one of my favourite restaurants enjoying conversation with one of the most wonderful people I know. When we noticed the table beside us was in a deep discussion. These four young teenage boys all had looks of serious concern on their faces. I soon realized that they were short of money. They hadn’t considered their pops, the taxes or even a tip. So, we finished our meal and when I paid asked our server to put their entire bill on mine and I paid for it all, tip included.
There was no big scene. I didn’t make a speech. As I left we made eye contact and they realized that I had bailed them out of their little shortage. I felt great! They were relieved and perhaps they will learn something from the event. One, bring enough money to pay for dinner. Two, how good it feels to be bailed out of a sticky situation and will in turn help someone else.
So go out today and do something kind for someone. The key though, is to do it for the right reason. Do it because it’s the right thing to do and it feels SO good.
Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Aug 3, 2010 at 2:30 pm | Permanent Link | Comments (2)
Comment posted on Aug 3, 2010 at 5:39 pm by Erin Grittani (YLCC Member)
Comment posted on Aug 13, 2010 at 2:23 pm by Joanne Henry (YLCC Guest)
Stu - I really liked your story - it made me think of myself and the acts of kindness that I try and incorpoate into my life and tried to model for my son (MAC). Often, just because I buy the car behind me their coffe and muffin at Tim Horton’s and tell the server to tell them to PASS IT ON! They are so use to me doing that now that I no longer get odd looks from the server…....
While we were away on our family vacation at Disney this summer and having the time of our life - we frequently has to use the restrooms - now you can well image with the heat and the number of people that Disney takes in, in a day is huge! It is one job that is really hard to do and one I do believe is a thankless job. I ALWAYS said thank you to the people that were trying to keep things clean - the first time my neice looked at me weird as if I had 3 heads - and asked why I had done that. Well as I tried to explain that when you apply for a job at Disney you get the opportunity to ask where you would like to work! Now who would put down on their application that they would like to keep the bathrooms clean - I am certain not many. So I tried to make them feel special - because in my opinion THEY WERE IMPORTANT and I wanted to make sure that they knew it.
One other story - while I was driving through a Tim Horton’s the server was not in a good mood and sort of through the coffee at me through the window and I said to him politely - that his job was very important - and he just laughed like I was an idiot! I politely told him that some mornings he was the first person that I met in the morning and if he got the order wrong or was not pleasant that had an impact on the rest of my day. With that you saw that he got a little taller and broke a smile and thanked me for saying so to him. From that day on he was pleasant and I would like to believe that he felt valued.
I guess what I am trying to say is that ALL jobs no matter what they are or what you do - has an impact on people. So what kind of impact do you want to leave on this earth - and no one person - mortal has to know - as long as when you did it - it made you feel great and it was for all the right reasons.
You are a kind person to have paid for the kids lunch - I have been accused of doing the same.
Keep writing - they are valueable to read.
Joanne