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Ever wonder what it's like to be in that moment between struggling artist and published author? Read on and find out.



Friday, March 9, 2012

Having A Good Day

     I'm in the middle of moving this week so I don't really have the time to create a decent post about writing or even to throw out some sore of crazy rambling that I am known to offer on occasion. Instead, I'm going to relate an event that happened to me last week.

     After an exhausting struggle with a demonic underwriter, we finally closed on our house. My wife and I decided to take the entire family out to dinner to celebrate. We had a great time enjoying the food and one another's company. A gentleman sat at the table next to us and chucked a few times as we tried to convince the two youngest boys to try a taste of some new foods. Nick firmly advised us, "I might not like it." To which I replied, "And you might love it."

     They were not to be convinced though. We finished our meal, the boys sticking with food that was safe and familiar, and then proceeded to the cashier. To our surprise, the gentleman who had sat next to us had already paid for our meal. Keep in mind that the cost for a family of six to dine at an honest to goodness restaurant is not cheap. He drove out of the parking lot before we could stop him to say thanks.

     At my job, all day long I deal with people who are not very nice. My journey to and from work is filled with crazy, dangerous people who are way too eager to share rude gestures with me and the rest of the drivers who are in their way. This is what most of us deal with on a daily basis.

     The amazing thing to me is that it only took one act of generosity to restore my sagging faith in humanity. That single act was more powerful than the dozens of negative encounters I've had over the last couple of weeks. I would like to thank that gentleman for lifting me up. I wish he knew how much his kindness meant to me.

    This week, or next, I plan to pay that good deed forward. I probably won't be picking up the tab for dinner, but it doesn't have to be a monetary gift that lightens someone's day. What I'd like to do is encourage all of you to do the same. One person can make a difference in the life of another. Be that person.




     By the way, here's a picture of my family when we go out to dinner. (Don't let my wife know I shared the family pictures with everyone.)

15 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed that story, Randy. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Our daily lives are filled with so much negativity sometimes that we forget there are still humans out there. Other humans. With hearts. Good hearts. And they're not afraid to use them.

    Glad your family had a wonderful time and - pssst - sharing of the family photo will be our little secret :-)

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    1. Absolutely. (And thanks for keeping our little secret.)

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  3. I love this. I have been astounded by the kindness and generosity of people. I figure there is no reason I can't be one of these people. We just have to understand that we can't do EVERYTHING our hearts want to do but we can do SOME of the things.

    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. What a great point. We can't do everything, but that shouldn't stop us from doing what we can. You never know what might turn a person's life around. It could just be a couple of kind words that do it.

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  4. I'm like you. I sometimes let the negative actions of strangers weigh me down far more than I should, but it only takes one kind action, or word to restore my balance. I'm definitely a great believer in paying it forward.

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    1. Well, here's to kindred spirits and paying it forward. :)

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  5. What a wonderful story! My heart has been lifted this week by all the people in my little corner of the writing community who stepped forward to help me send my book on a "world tour" which will include blog posts and photos and all kinds of other fun, and who said such nice things about the book and my blog. I am very grateful!

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    1. I'm glad to hear you got so much help for your "world tour." It makes you sound like a rock star, or some sort of famous celebrity. (Woohoo, I know a celebrity.)

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  6. That was so nice of that gentleman to pay for your dinner! I agree that one good deed can turn everything around.

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    1. Yep. And he was sneaky about doing it. I figured that if I couldn't thank him personally at least I could shout it out for others to hear about it.

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  7. That was such a great story, thanks for sharing. So good to pay it forward, too. A friend of mine always pays the bridge toll for the car behind and one day, when he'd had some really bad news, he discovered that someone had done the same for him and it really cheered him up. Nice. You've been tagged!

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    1. See, that's what I'm talking about. It's amazing how a small kindness at the right moment can make such a big difference in a person's life. Thanks for sharing.

      Tagged, huh? I'll mosey over to your blog and see what I've been tagged for.

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  8. I'll check out the blogathon and see about doing something with it.

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