Giving Back

At the beauty salon I work part-time in, we've been discussing how people are depressed from the economy, the time of year, and a number of other things depending on their lives.

So, in an attempt to brighten others' spirits (and ours in the process) we decided to have a contest within the salon. We had one week to do something nice for a complete stranger. At the end of the week, we told our stories and voted on the best one.

I went through a drive-thru and paid for the car behind me. When I asked the worker how much the car's order was, she told me and I said, "Add it to mine."

She looked a bit confused and said, "Do you know them?" I told her I didn't, but that I was hoping by me doing something nice for them, they would do something nice for someone else that day. The worker smiled and said, "I'll tell them that."

I was hoping to form a chain reaction. I know I can't enforce this on everybody, but if just a few people do this, the trickle down effect would be amazing...I hope;)

Anyway, now that the contest is over, I'm going to continue to do something really great for a total stranger at least once a week. This week I swept through my house and gathered up all my baby items and old baby clothes and gave them to a young teenage couple (just graduated last year). This couple is expecting their first child next month and they only have a crib. They are struggling to work and make a life for themselves and I want to do everything I can to help.

The boy (who doesn't know me) found out my phone number and called and left a really sweet message on my machine. He choked up in the middle of thanking me and my heart broke. I went back through my house with tears in my eyes and gathered up even more. I plan on passing them along through our mutual friend tomorrow.

The lady who delivered the baby items gave me $35 because she felt bad for me giving this stuff away. I didn't want her money, so I will take that money and go buy them some diapers and wipes.

So, I will now turn the challenge over to you. Can you find a total stranger and do something for them without expecting something in return? Let's see if we can't lift the spirits of those around us and try, one by one, to make this world a better place:)

BTW, I won the challenge at work:)

Hugs,
Jules