My Blog Has Moved

Well folks, I've finally done it. I've switched to WordPress and my blog is now on my own domain. So say good-bye to Blogger and good-bye to the bling. But don't be sad. Life is full of change. Change is a good thing. It keeps us on our toes. It challanges us and makes us stronger. And as your next President... oops, I got a little speechy there, didn't I?

Anyway, check me out at:

http://www.meandtheblueskies.com/

I'll look for you there.


Saturday, September 13, 2008

Random Acts of Kindness

I was at the Walmart the other day picking up some dog food and a belated birthday card for a friend whose birthday I missed. (The card was for the friend-the dog food was for my two dalmatians.) Anyway, I put the dog food in the trunk, got in the car, and turned my head to look out the window. Looking at the car next to me, I noticed a huge nail in the tire.

Not very long ago I had a nail in my front passenger tire that I knew nothing about until I walked to my car at the end of the day and saw a completely flat tire. It was 5:15 pm on a Friday and I was not a happy camper. So I dragged out the donut tire and flimsy jack from the trunk and proceeded to change my tire. Fortunately, one of my coworkers, Jeff, saw me down on the ground, and knowing what a macho-mechanical kind of guy I am (not), he decided to lend a hand. Actually, he did most of the work and I watched and acted like I was helping.

I thought about how nice it was of Jeff to help me as I sat in the car, staring at the nail in the tire. It was a Friday night and I'm sure he wanted to get home. And I would have eventually gotten the tire changed. After all, I can mow a lawn so I should be able to change a flat. It was a kindness--maybe not a random act of kidness because Jeff has known me for many years, but it was an act of kindness none-the-less.

I got out of the car and looked at the nail. I looked inside the car and saw a teddy bear and a small child's backpack. It would really suck to be a parent with a small child and get stuck somewhere with a flat tire. I didn't have a piece of paper so I wrote a note on the back of a ShopRite receipt. I stuck it behind the windshield wiper, got back in my car, and drove back to work.

I don't know who owned the car or if they saw the note before they drove away. I hope that it helped and that they weren't stuck with a flat like I was. In my youth, I did kind things in hopes that someday someone would do kind things for me. That isn't kindness. It's immature thinking. True acts of kindness require no reciprocation or acknowledgement. I'm not looking for a pat on the back or for people to start sending me money or gifts. (although I still need a digital camera. hint. hint.) I did it because it was a good thing to do. And it's something that people just don't seem to do much any more...a random act of kindness.

8 comments:

Nanny Goats In Panties said...

See, if I did that, some cop would grab my wrist just as I was slipping the note under the windshield wiper, read the note and then arrest me for sticking the nail in the tire. And the louder I would deny it, the longer my sentence in the slammer would grow. All because I was trying to do a kind thing.

stinkypaw said...

You did good, and especially because you didn't know the other person and weren't expecting anything back. Good for you, I'm sure you felt great after!

Mark43 said...

America is great because these acts of kindness happen all the time. I wish the news would cover these events as much as they do the bad acts but I guess that is what they think we want to hear. Caring and compassion are our trademarks to the world and I thank you for helping your fellow human out. Peace be with you!

Patty said...

How nice and thoughtful of you. It would really suck to be caught out with a flat and a child whinning about wanting to get home.

Thanks for stopping by my place.

Diana said...

It's kind people like you that make this world a better place. Have a great day!!

Anonymous said...

Yea, every act of kindness matters! I believe all of our actions matter. peace.

Jan said...

I'm this close to sending you a check for that digital cam you're lusting after. But this is so after the fact, so here I am holding my horses (because I'm cheap - hehehe) and smiling in silent acknowledgment of your act of random kindness. You're a great guy. The people around you must be lucky with you around.

Preston said...

Jan - Thank you so much for your kind words. I eventually bought myself a digital camera so don't even worry about it. I'm glad I got you to smile. I wasn't looking for praise; I just wanted people to think about how a simple "niceness" could make all the difference for someone else. And I feel that I'm the one who is lucky with the people who are around me. :)

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