Saturday, May 18, 2013

~ random acts of kindness ~

Hello friends....I know, three posts within a weeks time! I'm on a roll here.
This post is something a little different...no pictures.
You heard me...no photos, but please stay with me.
I would like to share a little something with you.
Years ago I found this quote by Princess Diana and it struck a chord with me..

Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.

I thought about it for quite sometime and one day it just began.....
I was finding myself performing tiny random acts of kindness.
Nothing big...just little things like buying a cup of coffee for the person in front of me at the bakery. Or paying the $1.00 bridge toll for the car behind me when I crossed the Hudson River on my way home for a visit to NY.
Little things.
Very often at the shop if someone admires something from my personal stash and I think they will really appreciate it...it's theirs!
Again..it is usually something very small....I am not giving away dressers!
Most times the acts are anonymous....the receiver never knows it was me.
But once in a while I am gifted with a personal story and when this happens..
I understand why these random acts matter so much.
  This week while instructing a workshop, a woman wondered back into the studio.
I noticed that she made a straight path right to my stash of vintage linens that I use for my sewing projects.
She picked up a beautiful 1940's kitchen tablecloth and gingerly unfolded it.
I noticed the delight in her face and knew what was coming next.
"how much is this?"...she said.
I nicely explained that it was not for sale and that I would be restyling it.
She asked me what I was going to do with it and that she might be interested in purchasing whatever I created.
We talked about our shared love of vintage linens and she told me she had all of her family's heirlooms linens. 
As she spoke, I could tell she truly appreciated what she was safeguarding...
pieces of art.
My could feel my heart plump up just a bit as I handed her the beautiful tablecloth.
"here...I would love to gift this to you" I said.
That's when the reality and beauty of this 
Random Act of Kindness
thing presented itself.
The woman looked at me and told me I would never know what this meant to her.
She went on to share that she had just completed her regimen of Chemotherapy and Radiation for breast cancer and this was the very first day she felt good enough to join the real world again.
There was a reason she picked this day and my shop, The Empty Nest, to venture into.
I am convinced this was not random at all.
So there we were..me crying....the ladies in the workshop crying and lots of hugs being shared.
The best thing about random acts of kindness...
THEY FEEL SO DARN GOOD!
Take a moment during you busy day and look around you.
I bet you can find something, even a tiny something you can do for someone today.
You may never know how that simple act has the power to change the world.
But, more than changing the world...it will change you.
Until next time...be KIND and stay creative!


                                                        

30 comments:

Lori Foster said...

What a sweet person you are !! Love the story!!

Claire said...

Wow, I can imagine how that made you feel Janet.....such a heart warming story.
A good reminder to think about others and take the time to do something nice for someone.
Shall be on the outlook now......

Claire x

Claire said...

Wow, I can imagine how that made you feel Janet.....such a heart warming story.
A good reminder to think about others and take the time to do something nice for someone.
Shall be on the outlook now......

Claire x

Unknown said...

I feel exactly the same way Janet. Can you imagine the world if everyone practiced Random Acts of Kindness. A friend of mine posted this on Facebook yesterday, I thought you might enjoy it.

This morning I watched the manager of the Hyatt Regency restaurant in Washington DC quietly offer a homeless man a free breakfast buffet. i happened to be close enough to hear his exact words, "I'd be honored if you would let me offer you breakfast with us today." The manager then seated him, went to each waiter and whispered that they were to make sure he was allowed to eat without limit, charge or embarrassment. At least one good person still lives in the city that seems to thrive on hate. — at Hyatt Regency Washington DC.

Linda at French Hollow said...

What inspiring stories - yours Janet and the beautiful story Melissa shared. Thank you both.
Blessings,
Linda

Connie in Hartwood said...

You are one of the kindest people I know, dearest Janet. Thank you very much for sharing this with us today.

Alice said...

Janet, I always love your post and you. You exemplify kindness whenever I come in the store. Always ready to share secrets and give tips. Have a wonderful day.


Anonymous said...

This is so heart warming and a breath of fresh air - THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing! It doesn't matter that it is rainy and gloomy today because you have indeed put sunshine in my WHOLE day. God bless you and I too will be looking for ways to practice random acts of kindness! Debbie

The LadyBugs Garden said...

Awww Janet I could cry reading this story. Kindness to each other is what every one in this world should be doing everyday. It would be wonderful. I love it!
xo
Stephanie

ps. Prom last night for Zachary

Linda said...

Excellent post.

Michele said...

ok, thanks for making me cry and I never cry! That was a beautiful story! My sister was at a drive up window, the car behind her was in a super hurry and was honking at her. She paid for his meal and as she was pulling away she could see the confused look in his face as he was trying to pay....
Love story you shared! Thank you for the inspiration to be a better person always!!!!

SuzyMcQ said...

Janet,
Thank you for the loving reminder and for asking us all to show our goodness.......

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! A really nice story to read!
You are sooo sweet Janet! Miss you

Stacey said...

Janet, this is my first time to land on your blog and already I like you. :) I try to make it my goal to be encouraging to others. I think random acts fit in well. Need to remember them more often.

Lady Courtney said...

Connie is right, you are the kindest and most genereous person I know. You made me cry at work, lol! Sending hugs and sunshine to you today! Donna :)

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Jennifer Juniper said...

I love random acts of kindness! I think it feels just as good (maybe better) to give than to receive one!

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Cassie Bustamante said...

amen! i am a hug fan of random acts of kindness.... you never know when your one act of kindness might be the only kindness the recipient sees all day. you can make a difference in a life with a small gesture.

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Michelle Ray Viscal said...

You gave me lampshades one day and I can say I really love them. I was floored by your random act of kindness. I must say at that time things weren't going as well as I was hoping. You made me feel very special that day and I will never forget it. Now, I have to purchase some more chalk paint so I can paint the lamp bases! Thanks so much Janet.

Ruth's Ridge Blogspot said...

Your gracious sharing of beauty made me weep this morning, as I sat with my latte on the deck.

I come from a family of lovers of old linen! In a box
I have part of my mother's family collection dating back to the late 19th century -some from Sweden!

I will never forget my 3 sisters and I sitting on the floor of my parent's living room dividing up the 'linen' estate.

We laughed and cried. I told my mother about it after - demented by then, but able to tell me the story of each piece I brought her.

I weep again!

Ruth from Canada

Ruth's Ridge Blogspot said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Susanne from Canada. said...

Just found your BLOG and read this story..my heart needed this today; greetings from Canada.