Last month was February; if you didn’t realise that we have moved into March and you need to get a move on we are speeding through the year but I digress so being February it was the month of love. Technically its only meant to be the 14th of February however as you know with the internet and commercialism that one day just like Christmas is spread over the whole month to encourage you to prepare (i.e. buy) for the one day of the year when you should show someone you should give a hoot however as I have a fear of public displays of affection I decided it was pay it forward month or otherwise known the month of random act of kindness which for my introverted self much more tolerable.
Now my random act of kindness or pay it forwards haven’t come easy there was a an initial disaster and I am a naturally rather introverted but I sucked it up and determined not to deterred by my first act of kindness that saw me questioning my whole self and humanity I spent the month of February trying to pay it forward and doing nice things for people.
Now I must confess it was completely done for my own selfish reasons; it made me feel good. So good. I got that warm fuzzy feeling inside and when I saw what my pay it forward did froma smile, to a laugh and even a little dance; I wanted to do more. It was addictive and purely selfish. I went from one big pay it forward a week or random act of kindness to seeking them out on a daily basis. Doing something without expectation of getting nothing in return. I was like a super hero who laid in wait.
My RAK (because of course there is a acronym for random acts of kindness its cool now and easier to text) which ten years ago really was in reality is just being neighbourly or community minded ranged giving up my place in the supermarket queue when I had the time and no children to someone with children or less groceries, putting an extra 10 cents in someone else parking meter, holding a baby during my flight to Sydney, writing a thank you letter for some good service received, cleaning up the skate park while my kids where scootered around, baking for my neighbour and mowing the median strip for my new neighbours.
Simple stuff nice stuff and it comes back around.
My flight home from Sydney last month the desperate dash to the fair I arrived home and went to pay for my car in the car park to start my 90 minute drive home. It was 930 pm and I was also $10.00 short. Not thinking it would be more than $26.00 for 24 hours I spent my change on Jetstar. The carpet bag I carry; the bag that can solve almost all awkward situations including needing a new shirt because my kids have vomited on me to a first aid kit for the odd dog bite; this bag this time couldn’t help me. There was no change rolling around in the bottom of course there wasn’t not when I really need it. I was panicking my credit card maxed, I had forgotten to activate my debit card and couldn’t as it was after hours and I had used my change to watch ‘the new normal’ TV series on Jetstar. As I scurried around searching my bags my newest super hero appeared his as it turned out was James. James is a pilot. He asked me was I okay? I said no and proceeded to mutter like a mad woman that I had no money left and was $10.00 short to get out of the car park. I was on my knees at this point pulling things from my bag when I looked up to $10.00 being handed to me. I hesitated for just a seconded but decided I needed to get home I was tired and didn’t fancy the airport floor and another $26.00 added to the bill.
He smiled. Can I return it to you I said. Ah he said. I said you’re Qantas? Jetstar he said he gave me his id badge I guess not really believing I would send it. I did send i along with a bottle of red. He saved me a long walk home and I will before ever grateful. I’m not sure what would have been the worse the ribbing from my husband, the walk home or the sleep on the airport floor if hadn’t RAK me he saved me all of that with that random act of kindness.
I was so excited so grateful I told him if he wasn’t a stranger I would have kissed him and I would have but within seconds of giving me that $10.00 he was gone.
Like a true superhero. Gone with no expectation of anything in return.
Have you ever done a RAK? Or have you been the recipient of an RAK?
xx Deb
its addictive isnt it? even if you look like a crazy woman..;) xxD
I used to buy ‘all day’ parking tickets when I was only going to be a couple of hours. When I returned to the carpark, I would give the ticket to a stranger before they paid for a new one. Often they would look freaked out at this lady running towards them saying, “Stop! Don’t put your money in yet!” but when they realised what I was doing, their gratitude made me feel so good 🙂