(I'm not sure how these posts are showing up in your readers, but I'm back-dating them in hopes that I'm not inundating your dashboards/blog-rolls). Today is the last day of the month and I have officially finished the 29 Gifts challenge, so ideally, I'd like to get caught up on all the posts this morning. I've diligently kept my day-planner filled with notes for each of my remaining gifts and gratitude lists...I'm looking forward to staring fresh with new blog topics beginning February 1st).
My gift for Day 23 was the gift of a Quarter!
During another trip to the gym on this particular day, I had just finished my workout and was in the locker room, packing up my gym bag and getting ready to head out. The girl next to me was cursing up a storm for having forgotten her lock for the locker and not having a quarter to use the pay-per-use lockers out front. She had her wallet, keys and cell phone in one hand and her iPod and water bottle in the other. She asked me if I thought it would be "safe" if she put her belongings in an unlocked locker and wondered aloud if it were even a big deal to begin with. Being the paranoid person that I am, I told her I wouldn't take the risk, but that I would gladly give her a quarter use the lockers out front. Afterall, it's better to be safe than sorry, no?
I had a hard time qualifying this particular "give" as a gift, considering I would have gladly given a quarter to any fellow gym-goer in the same situation if they asked. I'm continually challenged by this project, wanting my gifts to be unique and creative and meaningful in their own way, but I have to keep reminding myself that as long as they are given with intent and without expectation of reciprocity in any way, it's all good. And so it was.
This act of kindness made me feel good, and my recipient was grateful. And the best part of it? The instant gift in return: I made a new friend. :)
* * *
Today's Gratitude List:
1) Physical Therapy has paid off! Less pain today in my neck and lower back.2) The sweet stranger who complimented me on my skirt and sandals.
3) A good "hair" day.
Your being to hard on yourself. You might think the quarter was no big deal but to her I'm sure it was, because it was a random act of kindness. Your gifts inspire me to do similar things in my own life!
ReplyDeleteSue: Thank you, Sue!
ReplyDeleteI like to think that for every act of kindness I do someone is somehow paying it forward even though I'll never know. Be comforted by the fact that at some point she may be giving a quarter(metaphorically) to someone else who will need help. That my dear is making a difference, which you have just by being you! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Katie