It’s So Easy to Be Kind to Others

Opportunity is everywhere, don’t miss out on your chance to spread kindness, love, and joy each day

There are so many chances to spread kindness, love, and joy each day. Situations present themselves all the time, and you just need to be ready to share and spread the good vibes.

It’s a simple thing, don’t miss out on your opportunity!

Today it was a warm 69-degree day in San Francisco and the sunshine made everybody feel better from the get-go. A lot of people skipped doing laundry and headed for the nearby beach, but I’m glad I didn’t.

Like today, I was at the laundromat (not my favorite place to be). A homeless middle-aged guy in a wheelchair was hanging out there, but he grew restless as a few more people started filtering in.

He maneuvered himself from a regular seat into his wheelchair, and as he rolled by me, he asked if I had an extra large plastic bag he could have. I suppose for his meager belongings, but he really just wanted to talk.

I replied no, I didn’t have an extra bag, but then pointed out to him there was a vending machine right there that sold various items.

Like laundry detergent, bleach, and dryer sheets as well as the large plastic bag he sought.

He didn’t have any change and seemed frustrated but I talked to him and gave him 4 quarters to use in the vending machine. He went over and immediately fed the quarters into the machine and got the bag he wanted.

Then he rolled himself around the laundromat and asked me about various items, like food leftovers, magazines, and various items like small laundry carts, etc.

I patiently told him if he could take them or not. He was satisfied and eventually left the laundromat with only the plastic bag he had just purchased. For a moment, we meshed and united in a single purpose.

He was satisfied, he got what he needed and I had the satisfaction of performing a small kindness for another human being.

It made me feel good all day because he would have never found what he was looking for without my help.

That’s the beauty of being kind, it’s a two-way street that rewards both parties with good feelings.

Shortly after he left, a couple of young guys came in. They looked like foreign students, and they were marveling at all the hardware and machinery in the laundromat.

They came over to me, since I was the only other person in the laundromat, and asked me if I had any quarters.

I noticed they had emptied their pockets on a counter with nickels, dimes, and pennies strewn about.

They had money but had already picked through all their change and still didn’t have enough quarters for a wash load.

I got up from my seat and told them there was a coin-changing machine right on the wall. I led them to it and explained its function.

It was all too familiar to me, I do my laundry there every week.

They were actually astonished and made comments like they couldn’t believe how convenient that was and marveled at American efficiency.

They had a $5 bill but it was all crumpled and wrinkly and wouldn’t go in the coin-changing machine.

So I patiently explained they had to smooth out the $5 bill so it would work in the machine. They were surprised at this too, but dutifully smoothed it out and tried again.

When the quarters came pouring out of the machine, they acted like they had hit the winning jackpot at a casino!

They were surprised, elated, and very genuinely satisfied. Mystery deciphered, problem solved.

I was gratified, and couldn’t help but wonder if I was visiting their country how hard it might be, and how confusing it could be for me if I was in a similar situation.

But I firmly believe in karma, and that what goes around, comes around.

For the price of 4 quarters, I made three people happy today, brought smiles to their faces, and helped them out of confusing situations.

It was more than worth it. Try it, you’ll like it. We are all connected…