The ripple effects from kindness.
“Remember, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” (Scott Adams)
I love this quotation. I’ve tried to accept the fact that it’s by the guy who writes Dilbert (which I secretly love – not so secret anymore, I guess). What I’ve found is that my favorite acts of kindness are the ones that ensure anonymity. I like to pay for the guy behind me in a drive-thru. It can be a bit of a gamble – you never know what that guy has ordered or how much it might be. What’s awesome is knowing that someone is confused and happy. I’m not sure why I feel so excited when I do stuff like that, but I get this grin that won’t go away.
Change the direction of someone’s day. Make them smile and take no credit. It’s going to create ripples you couldn’t imagine.
fabulous picture!!
April 10, 2011 at 6:14 am
A great picture, and an even better story to go with it!
How often do you pay for someone else at the drive-thru? What kind of reaction do you get from the person collecting the money?
April 10, 2011 at 10:01 am
I try to do it often, but I don’t go through drive-thrus all that often, and many times I go through alone.
The reaction on the part of the restaurant employee is usually one of confusion and then a smile. I’ve never had anyone refuse me the opportunity to pay for someone else. I have been nearly interrogated by the employees, though; usually on the grounds of whether I know the person or not and why I want to do this. After I’ve explained, they’re quite cooperative, if still confused.
What I try to do is wait to see the reaction of the person I’ve paid for, and then take off quickly. That way I get to see their face (confused smile) but remain anonymous. And then I smile for the next hour. It’s great.
April 10, 2011 at 1:52 pm
I’m gonna have to try that sometime. Thanks for sharing!
April 11, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Totally worth it.
April 11, 2011 at 9:10 pm