Random Acts of Kindness
Back in November or December of 2004 I had something completely random happen to me that I will never forget:
Coming home from Columbia I came to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Coming up to the toll, my $2.50 in hand, the toll booth operator told me to drive on through - the car ahead had paid for my passage. I was just stunned. I still offered the fee and asked that it simply be to cover the car behind me. I didn't know if the person behind me would do it too, but it didn't matter. The feeling of knowing that a complete stranger just paid for me, for no reason at all, was an amazing feeling and a wonderful example (when they are so few and far between) that people can be good and kind to one another, just because. And I wanted someone else to have that feeling too.
Now, I never really considered myself especially greedy or unmindful of those around me, but since that day I've tried to be more aware of others. Specifically strangers. It's very easy for me (and most people I know) to be open and giving to the people that have infiltrated our shells and become part of our lives, but we can forget that every single person is waging some war, inside or outside of themselves, every single day. I know how hard those battles can be because of my own experiences and those of my close friends and family, but sometimes I forget that everyone else is someone else's close friend or family and they wage their wars too. I always thought the term "random acts of kindness" was a little cliche, but it is truly a great feeling when you do it - even if it really is completely random. Giving out cash can be a little concerning because you never really know where the funds are going and continuing a poor life is not something everyone wants to do, but when someone asks for gas money why not offer to put $15 in their car, especially if you're both already at the gas station? When someone has a sign that says they're hungry, why not offer them the cereal bar or burrito or crackers or whatever food item you have on you? It can even be something as simple as paying for that toll or the coffee of the woman in the car behind you in the drive through at Starbucks. I promise you it's an incredible feeling - not only to know that someone randomly wanted to do something kind for you, but even more so the feeling you get when you know you just gave that feeling to someone else.
One thing I've really been trying to address within myself lately is enjoying the moment. I usually enjoy what I'm doing, sometimes when I'm doing it, and I usually have fun with the people I'm around, but more often than not I can be intently focused on what's happening next over what's happening now. I'm trying to meditate more and breath easier, sleep deeper and not think so much about tomorrow. It's hard, but there are already some benefits I'm seeing and I can't help but think that things will get easier if I just stick with it. My boyfriend recommended a book called "Living Buddha, Living Christ" by Thich Nhat Hanh and it is really quite incredible (I'll admit I wasn't too sure of his suggestion at the time, but I really have no idea why lol). Blending principles (not necessarily beliefs or philosophies as a whole, but the principles themselves) from Buddhism and Christianity as a spiritual existence rather than a religion is quite an amazing concept and, honestly, one that seems to "work" for me at the moment.
Here's to being incomplete :)
One day I'll find relief, I'll be arrived and I'll be a friend to my friends who know how to be friends
One day I'll be at peace, I’ll be enlightened and I'll be married with children and maybe adopt
One day I will be healed, I will gather my wounds forge the end of tragic comedy
I have been running so sweaty my whole life urgent for a finish line
And I have been missing the rapture this whole time of being forever incomplete
One day, my mind will retreat, and I'll know god and I'll be constantly one with her night dusk and day
One day I'll be secure, like the women I see on their 30th anniversaries
I have been running so sweaty my whole life urgent for a finish line
And I have been missing the rapture this whole time of being forever incomplete
Ever unfolding, ever expanding
Ever adventurous and torturous
But never done
One day, I will speak freely, I'll be less afraid, and measured outside of my poems and lyrics and art
One day I will be faith-filled, I'll be trusting and spacious authentic and grounded and whole
I have been running so sweaty my whole life urgent for a finish line
And I have been missing the rapture this whole time of being forever incomplete
Coming home from Columbia I came to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Coming up to the toll, my $2.50 in hand, the toll booth operator told me to drive on through - the car ahead had paid for my passage. I was just stunned. I still offered the fee and asked that it simply be to cover the car behind me. I didn't know if the person behind me would do it too, but it didn't matter. The feeling of knowing that a complete stranger just paid for me, for no reason at all, was an amazing feeling and a wonderful example (when they are so few and far between) that people can be good and kind to one another, just because. And I wanted someone else to have that feeling too.
Now, I never really considered myself especially greedy or unmindful of those around me, but since that day I've tried to be more aware of others. Specifically strangers. It's very easy for me (and most people I know) to be open and giving to the people that have infiltrated our shells and become part of our lives, but we can forget that every single person is waging some war, inside or outside of themselves, every single day. I know how hard those battles can be because of my own experiences and those of my close friends and family, but sometimes I forget that everyone else is someone else's close friend or family and they wage their wars too. I always thought the term "random acts of kindness" was a little cliche, but it is truly a great feeling when you do it - even if it really is completely random. Giving out cash can be a little concerning because you never really know where the funds are going and continuing a poor life is not something everyone wants to do, but when someone asks for gas money why not offer to put $15 in their car, especially if you're both already at the gas station? When someone has a sign that says they're hungry, why not offer them the cereal bar or burrito or crackers or whatever food item you have on you? It can even be something as simple as paying for that toll or the coffee of the woman in the car behind you in the drive through at Starbucks. I promise you it's an incredible feeling - not only to know that someone randomly wanted to do something kind for you, but even more so the feeling you get when you know you just gave that feeling to someone else.
One thing I've really been trying to address within myself lately is enjoying the moment. I usually enjoy what I'm doing, sometimes when I'm doing it, and I usually have fun with the people I'm around, but more often than not I can be intently focused on what's happening next over what's happening now. I'm trying to meditate more and breath easier, sleep deeper and not think so much about tomorrow. It's hard, but there are already some benefits I'm seeing and I can't help but think that things will get easier if I just stick with it. My boyfriend recommended a book called "Living Buddha, Living Christ" by Thich Nhat Hanh and it is really quite incredible (I'll admit I wasn't too sure of his suggestion at the time, but I really have no idea why lol). Blending principles (not necessarily beliefs or philosophies as a whole, but the principles themselves) from Buddhism and Christianity as a spiritual existence rather than a religion is quite an amazing concept and, honestly, one that seems to "work" for me at the moment.
Here's to being incomplete :)
One day I'll find relief, I'll be arrived and I'll be a friend to my friends who know how to be friends
One day I'll be at peace, I’ll be enlightened and I'll be married with children and maybe adopt
One day I will be healed, I will gather my wounds forge the end of tragic comedy
I have been running so sweaty my whole life urgent for a finish line
And I have been missing the rapture this whole time of being forever incomplete
One day, my mind will retreat, and I'll know god and I'll be constantly one with her night dusk and day
One day I'll be secure, like the women I see on their 30th anniversaries
I have been running so sweaty my whole life urgent for a finish line
And I have been missing the rapture this whole time of being forever incomplete
Ever unfolding, ever expanding
Ever adventurous and torturous
But never done
One day, I will speak freely, I'll be less afraid, and measured outside of my poems and lyrics and art
One day I will be faith-filled, I'll be trusting and spacious authentic and grounded and whole
I have been running so sweaty my whole life urgent for a finish line
And I have been missing the rapture this whole time of being forever incomplete