From the Kindness of Strangers

Photo credit: google search on law of attraction

Today's NaBloPoMo prompt is the following: Tell us about one time that you benefitted from the kindness of strangers.

Though I can be a pessimist at times, I do believe in the general goodness of people. That is, I believe there are more good people - and that they perform kind deeds - than bad in the world, despite the portrayal of the media otherwise.

I know some people - one in particular - who would disagree and that's ok. It's everyone's right to believe what they will; however, how is it working for them? And, does it work for you?

Instead, why not take heed of the 'law of attraction' or LOA for short. It is a spiritual principle which you can read about it here, though I do not like the example they cite as it's not necessarily so cut and dry, black and white like that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_attraction_%28New_Thought%29. It's actually more like the message in the box in the picture on the top of this post! ;)

I had actually written a blog post inspired by a particular incident on this very subject. I entitled it A Kind Stranger: a Samaritan named Rob and I believe I felt such compassion when I wrote it: I was extremely grateful.

Simply put, a man who was a stranger came to my aid when I fell and injured myself about 2-1/2 years ago. You can read the short story here: http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2012/06/kind-stranger-samaritan-named-rob.html (dated June 17, 2012).

A brief video interruption that is rather touching - moved me actually - that I saw on Facebook yesterday that I'd like to touch on the theme of kindness from strangers:

Post by D - la Repubblica.

One other story that I'd like to share that I will never forget, though I think some of the details are a bit hazy is as follows:

Years ago when I was a young student, studying full-time and working part-time to make ends meet while living on my own, I met this man who happened to be the brother of a man my sister dated or was dating.

We befriended each other and he had asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I was about 21 or 22 at the time and all I could think of was a live pine tree as a Christmas tree. However, I told him that that might not be allowed in my building due to fire regulations, though I wasn't !00% sure.

One day, about a week or so later, after I arrived home from a very long day of school and work, I opened the door to my apartment unit. To the delight of my eyes and nose of the look and smell of a large, live pine tree! My mood immediately brightened as I was SO ecstatic. I wanted to call him but figured it was too late, so waited to thank him the next day.

Photo from google search

If memory serves me correctly, I think the tree was already decorated, albeit partially as it was a large tree. The following day or shortly thereafter from what I recall, we both decorated the tree while playing Christmas music in the background.

That seemingly small gesture was a big deal to me. It was HUGE and truly didn't care to receive anything else that Christmas. It is a memory I shall always treasure forever. Though he has since moved back to Europe from whence he came, that particular Christmas will always be remembered as a special one, and in my heart as a fond memory.

Photo credit: google

Likewise, I was also the giver of kindness to a stranger: In Pay it Forward...with an Umbrella!, I wrote a post dated February 3, 2012 on how kindness prompted me to act the way in which I did. Read to find out how: http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2012/02/pay-it-forwardwith-umbrella.html.

How has a stranger paid you a kind deed? And how have you been a stranger to help another in kind?

A Kind Stranger: a Samaritan named Rob

Earlier today, I tripped and fell on a bumpy piece of sidewalk on upper Commercial Drive as I was running hard and fast to catch a connecting bus.

Silly me! Is it really worth - now spoken in hindsight! - risking one’s life or limbs for a few minutes of potential gain?

It was only about 30 seconds on this desolate road that a man’s voice called out: "Are you okay?" I wanted to speak but couldn’t due to shock and/or pain. All I knew was that I was hurting, quite a bit, from the fall with the heels of my hands being scraped, along with my right knee and right elbow.

After asking him if he had any Kleenex and then remembering I had some, I told him where to look for it in my knapsack. Then I covered my hands and elbow as best I could with it aware of possible germs and infection.

He asked if I could get up. I couldn’t. Though he tried lifting me(!) and then suggested I remove my backpack, I turned myself around towards the grass and lifted myself awkwardly up.

He proceeded to ask where I was headed to and if he could take me there. I suggested the medical walk-in clinic a number of blocks further down Commercial Drive. That was the priority!

As he started driving, I thought to ask his name – at least wanted to know that - and where he was heading to. As soon as he answered "Rob", I knew that I wanted to write about this experience, his kind gesture. Good deed for the day as I often say!

Due to a car-free afternoon festival, a portion of the Drive was closed. Luckily Rob knew its whereabouts as he stopped the car at the nearest blocked intersection and helped me get to the clinic.

I was grateful to be the next person to be seen and my injuries taken care of and wrapped within a few minutes of the incident.

After all this, all I'm left with is his first name, the memory of his face (dark hair and glasses primarily) and car (beat-up silver or grey, pick-up type vehicle), and his occupation or craft as an artist. And though I may forget his face or his name in time – or not! – I’ll always remember this act of service, from a kind stranger.

I’m truly grateful for and appreciative of kind strangers and good deeds.

What are you grateful for…today?