Sometimes
the nicest thing you can do for a stranger is compliment them in passing and
not wait around for the response. I think I’ve told hundreds of strangers at
this point that I like something they’re wearing or noticed a nice thing about
them. You don’t even need to plate it with a big smile or further questioning.
Make the comment sincere and get out of there. Let the mystery sit. That
question stewing in their head will be much better in weight than waiting
around for them to thank you.
When you leave you create a space in their heart
and mind that allows them to think “what’s so special about me today?” The
answer? In some ways… it’s nothing at all. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t
deserve a smile all the same, so why not offer one. They might just take that
mentality to pay it forward in a ripple of kindness that echoes outward. This
goes for paying for somebody else’s tab, covering someone’s order at the
drive-thru, tipping big, leaving thank you cards and a number of other gestures.
The facelessness is key because it reminds them that it could have been
anybody.
And isn’t that the whole point? They can assume it was the geriatric
couple in the corner splitting a scone, or the young woman posted up by the
window briefing a court hearing for her internship and their choices will reflect
their own inner biases…But they’ll never be certain.
...And that will force them
to grow. Grow to not only view more extras in their lives as equals, but also to
inspire within them a spirit of gratitude even if giving isn’t possible. Money
isn’t the only gift we could stand to give, lest we forget that themost valuable thing one can give to
another short of their life is their time.
Life is good
God is great
And I'm doing just fine
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