An Act of Random Kindness

I went to the hairdresser's this afternoon. I managed to find a parking space just outside the salon and was about to put some coins into the parking meter when a young girl bounded up to me and said: "Hey, why don't you reverse into my space? I've got 15 minutes left!" Frankly I was a little surprised but thought it was a good idea. I thanked her and went back into my car.


However, before I could start the engine, a middle-aged lady driving a Myvi swooped into the empty space and parked her car! I must say she was pretty fast considering her age!


Never mind, I told myself but wouldn't it be nice if everyone, like the young girl, practised a little random kindness everyday?


This brings to mind a story I read somewhere of a woman who drives up to a toll booth in San Francisco on a cold winter's day, with Christmas presents piled in the back of her car. "I am paying for myself and the six cars behind me," she says. The next six drivers drive up to the booth, dollar in hand, only to be told: "Some lady up ahead already paid your fare. Have a nice day." The woman, as it turned out, had read the phrase "Practise Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty" taped to a friend's refrigerator. It leaped out at her and she copied it down. If I were one of those rush-hour drivers who finds my toll-fare paid, I certainly would be inspired to do something nice for someone else later!


When I finished at the hairdresser's, I found I had 23 minutes left in my meter. My chance to do something nice. But the road was quiet and there were no cars approaching.


Oh well, another time, another place.