Think back for a moment. Somewhere in your story is a small kindness that found you when you needed it. A stranger who held the door when your hands were full. A coworker who covered for you on a hard day. A neighbor who said, “I made too much soup.”
You probably still remember it. That is the quiet magic of kindness. It does not fade the way we expect it to. It stays, warm and small, like a coin in a coat pocket.
Kindness was never meant to stop with you
From my chair to yours, here is a happy thought: the kindness that found you is not finished. It is still traveling. And you get to decide where it goes next.
Paying it forward does not need a plan or a budget. It only needs you to notice someone and think, “I know how that feels. Let me help a little.”
Pass it on, in your own way
You do not have to repeat the exact kindness you were given. Just pass on the feeling of it:
- If someone waited for you, be patient with the next person who is running late.
- If someone listened to you, put your phone down and really listen to a friend.
- If someone shared with you, share a little of what you have: food, time, or a good tip.
- If someone believed in you, tell someone else, out loud, that you believe in them.
Tell the story
One lovely way to keep a kindness moving is to tell people about it. When you share the story of a stranger who helped you, you remind everyone listening that good people are everywhere. Stories like that are contagious, in the best way.
A card for the chair
My card decks are full of small, kind words for you to keep, and to pass on. Pull one for yourself, then think of someone who might need it too.
Somewhere out there, someone will remember the kindness you gave them today. Isn’t that a happy thought?
My Chair To Yours — mychairtoyours.com — Keri Lyn Turner