“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”~Mother Teresa~
If we REALLY believe we are ALL connected on this earth and ripples of kindness can touch the WHOLE world, then what is stopping us from giving even a little each day.
The other day when I was at our Super Store shopping, ALL by myself, a very rare occasion since Will was enjoying his first full day of kindergarten and the little girls were at preschool, I had an opportunity to help another person.
Our grocery store offers a weekly free product if you buy over a certain amount of groceries. This was not a big shop week for me but in front of me was a man about my age with a little toddler in his cart and a TON of groceries. I knew from experience that he was going to be WAY over the minimum amount for his free item but I didn’t see the said item at the end of the conveyor belt.
The cashiers are told NOT to offer the free item unless the customer requests it, which kind of irks me, so when the cashier told him the total amount and the man was about to pay for his groceries, I piped up, “what’s the free item this week if you spend over $250.00 dollars? The man looked at me and then the cashier, who looked sheepish and said, “oh, it’s the FINISH dish washing detergent,” but you have to have the item so I can run the code through.
The man shifted, looked at his toddler in the cart and I jumped in saying, “I’ll go get it for you while you load your cart.” I flew off in a flash, forgetting since the twins were born that occasionally when I run, I sometimes have bladder issues. Thank heavens though, this time there was no unfortunate incidence…maybe doing a good deed helps the bladder. Anyway, I got back in no time and gave the product to the cashier who thanked me actually really nicely. The man thanked me NOT once but several times and I told him that, “hey, I’m a mom and you can’t just leave your little one in the cart to run and get the free item.”
As he was paying for his groceries and continuing to load his cart, he opened right up to me telling me he had just come home after being up north working for two weeks and they had nothing in the house. He said they probably could use the dish washing detergent and he hadn’t even checked when he left the house. He further told me that he had 5 children and the little guy in the cart, his youngest, was stuck to him at the hip since he had arrived home. I had made a friend. It made me feel really great.
And that wasn’t all, the older couple behind me were beaming at me when I returned with the item and the older man leaned in to me as I was paying for my groceries and said, “that was really nice of you.”
NOW, I’m not trying to blow my own horn or anything but this incident just demonstrates how something so simple, as helping another person out really is, plus, I benefited, as I got a bit more exercise than I had planned. It was a WIN/WIN. We are all busy and get involved with our own dramas but if we can just take a moment to look into the next person’s eyes and realize they are US. If we can offer them something to make their day easier, even if it’s a smile or a compliment, (like the one the older gentleman gave ME) well don’t you think at the end of the day the WHOLE WORLD would run smoother.
JUST THINK ABOUT IT!
And check out this video if you want to be inspired further. (If you are using an Apple product, you may not be able to view this YouTube video below, and if so, you can click on this link to see this inspiring message.)
Let’s send a ripple of small things with great love into the world.
Until we meet again, may you be well, happy and peaceful.
Blessings from Hope