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Your Kindness Could Help Someone Find Hope in the Darkness

“Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” ~Scott Adams

I was ten years old and growing up in a home that I can only describe as hellish. Among other things, our father forced us to stand against the wall for long periods of time until we shook from exhaustion. On one such day, he sent me to McDonald’s to buy him a cup of coffee.

I was happy to get out of the house and escape my punishment momentarily. As I headed to McDonald’s, I wondered what it would be like to never have to go back home. I hoped that I would have a better life someday, but I could not see how.

When I arrived at my destination and opened my mouth to order the coffee, I burst into tears. I just could not hold them back any longer and they came pouring out right there at the counter in McDonald’s.

As I stood there, a sobbing, broken little ten-year-old girl, a lady came out of nowhere. She said, “Sweetheart, would you like something for yourself? I will buy you anything you want. Just tell me what it is and I will get if for you.”

I was so touched by her kindness that I cried even harder. There was nothing on that menu I wanted. I wanted a better life. I wanted never to have to go home again.

Eventually I stopped crying and went home with the coffee, but I never forgot that lady or her kindness to me. I’ve often wished that I could find her and thank her for what she did that day.

We interact with so many people every day, in traffic, at the office, and online. If you walk down the sidewalk in a major city you will walk past hundreds of people. The next time you do this, look at them. Really look at them.

Every single one of these people has had his or her heart broken at one time or another. Guaranteed. You never know what other people are dealing with.

The person who cut you off in traffic may be struggling with a difficult child or spouse. He or she may have just gotten fired. Of course, it’s possible that they’re simply rude, but you never know. We can’t always be at our best, but we can try.

It is not always possible to know why people act the way they do, but I can guarantee that you will feel better if you give people the benefit of the doubt more often than not.

When in doubt, be kind. It doesn’t cost anything to be kind.

Can you express concern for someone today? Will you take a minute to hold the door for someone or let them in front of you in traffic?

Why not pick up the phone and call a friend who could use a kind word? You could send a quick email or text to someone you’ve been thinking of. If you want to go all-out, send a hand-written note or card to someone.

When you encounter a person who is less than charming, consider taking a deep breath and trying to understand where he or she is coming from. Do they have a point? Can you let it go?

Instead of rushing through your day, try slowing down and seeing how you can be of assistance. Be open to being of service, even in small ways. Instead of worrying because you’re too busy at work to volunteer on a regular basis, you could just volunteer for an hour or two.

You can make an enormous impact on someone’s life, even with one small kindness. I still struggle to find the words to describe how much that simple act of compassion meant to me all those years ago.

I went back home and life was still hard. Nothing changed for a very long time, but I had a tiny seed of hope in my heart that began to grow.

I went to bed that night knowing that there is kindness in this world. Good things were possible and all was not lost. Somehow, it would be okay because there are good people in the world.

Even today when I’m struggling with something and all seems lost, I remember that day. I remember that there’s always hope. I send a silent thank you to my would-be benefactor.

You don’t have to be Mother Teresa or Abraham Lincoln to make an impact in someone’s life. You can simply take a minute out of your day to encourage someone. You never know how much of a difference you can make with one small act of kindness.

If you lived in the south suburbs of Chicago in the late seventies and offered to buy something for a crying girl at McDonald’s, I want to send you a very belated thank you. This post is dedicated to you.

About Renée Suzanne

Renée Suzanne is a coach for smart, successful women who want to find love. Her two books, Beloved – How to Go from Relationship Challenged to Relationship Ready and Ten Things You Can Do to Upgrade Your Love Life are available on Amazon. She also has over 150 inspiring videos on her YouTube channel. Want more love in your life? Check out her free course at reneesuzannecoaching.com. You can also follow her on Facebook.

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Rekha

My parents are irrationally, incredibly. Unjustly trying to control my life..I’m 50. Worked hard all my life. Every act of theirs made my life that much more miserable. Now that I moved out 18 mths ago. They keep destroying me. I am dependant on rent from property gifted to me 30 yrs ago., recently. Until now, I hav worked n supported myself. Now, I hav severe rheumatoid arthritis and am unable to continue in my profession r even work for few hrs a day consistently. Aftr 50 years. I’m being abused as a failure. A .I don’t want to be living this life

Sarah

Sending love to you and many thanks for sharing this beautiful and love filled story! You are so very brave and courageous! This is the only way to live … with kindness, love and compassion in your heart … for all!!!

Renée Suzanne

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment Sarah! Kindness is contagious.

Robb Gorringe

Renée,

What a touching story about the gal at McDonalds. Equally powerful is what you shared about your father making you stand against the wall. I’m sure that wasn’t easy to share with the world. You must be a very strong woman to have made it through all that you did, and now you giving back to the world in a major way.

Your article sure is a powerful reminder to continue being kind no matter what. For it will, no doubt, give someone a seed of hope. I know your story has given that to me.

Thanks,

Robb

Gertrude Mcintyre

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Jeevan/Mirthu/Gupt

WOW; this story made my day/night…thank u so much for sharing & HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 🙂

satya

Dear Rekha,
Every human being have problems.Don’t get depressed by thinking of your past deal with the future.let things go hold on to anger,unsatisfactory will stagnate our growth and development.Be positive do meditation.Remember your happy moments.plan your rest of life to live happily.Travel more.

When I saw the draft which was of
7159 dollars, I accept that my friend’s brother was like really generating cash
in his spare time with his computer. . His aunts neighbor has done this for
only 10 months and by now repaid the loan on their home and bought a new Car
.This is what they are donig …

>>>>> Visit my ƤŘỖƑĮĹẸ for
the site address

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Renée Suzanne

Thanks so much Robb,

I found myself telling this story to a friend who said I just had to share it, so I did! It wasn’t easy to put it our there in the world, but it wouldn’t help anyone to keep it to myself. I’m so glad you found it uplifting,

Renée Suzanne

Thanks so much Jeevan,

I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving as well.

Renée Suzanne

Dear Rekha,

I shared this story to encourage people to practice compassion. It was not my intention to vilify my parents, but to help the reader understand the place I was in when this kindness was shown to me.
I hope you that you will embrace this opportunity to grow and encourage others to do the same.

Lauren

Dear Renée Suzanne,

Thanks for sharing your inspiring story about those seeds of kindness. It is so true that small seeds of kindness can be so far reaching. I am kind and giving by nature, and I have always wanted to be that way and I will never change.

I also grew up in an awful situation, but one summer when I was 11 years, and after we had moved again, I found a wonderful friend at school and bless her mother, I, on my own volition, went to her house every day that summer and I was treated so well and so kindly. My parents did not even know that I went there. The next summer, my parents had me working full time, but I never forgot the joy and the kindness of my visits to my new friend’s lovely home.

I vowed to myself that I would be like my friend’s mother, and be kind and gracious all my life. This carried me thru some awful times. To this day, I bless my friend’s mother and the kindness she showed me. The effects of acts of kindness even small acts, are so strengthening and so far reaching.

Never underestimate the power of kindness.

Dacia Dyer

What a beautiful story with a deep soulful message. Thanks Renee for sharing it and the reminder to always shine a light of kindness and compassion around you. <3