Kindness and compassion are out there. I can prove it.
Case study, part one:
One of my friends, AD, whom I haven’t been in touch with for a long time, found out that I am unemployed. She asked me to babysit her three kids last week and again this week. She decided to pay me $10 an hour and I am reeling from how kind that was. It may not be my place to say, but I feel like that was probably a stretch for her family financial to pay me that much.
Case study, part two:
A few weeks ago, I had set up an appointment for today to get my hair cut. I only have my hair cut once a year as my hair doesn’t grow very fast, so once I quit my job it became a bigger deal than usual, because it would help clean up my appearance for my job search. After ensuring rent and all other necessary bills have been paid for this month, and using up tons of fuel in my car to go to interviews over the past week, I’m currently down to thirty-five dollars. Yeah. You have no idea how much that scares me. I didn’t anticipate my gas money being used up so fast. However, I digress:
SF is a hairdresser who works from home, and her skills are top-class. I called her yesterday to cancel my appointment once I remembered it and realized there just is no money to spare on something like this. She heard about my unemployment, and offered to do all the usual (wash, cut, style, dry) stuff for free. I couldn’t help crying. Just got back from her place and I look perfect.
…
I wanted to extend my gratitude for the many gestures of support, love, and generosity extended to me by a wide range of people over the past few months, and especially over this past week. When things are difficult, it’s the quiet acts of service that hit my heart with the greatest impact. My days are brighter because of the people who see those around them in need of someone to lean on or talk to. Thank you.
My job for today (and every day, really) is to pay those many kindnesses forward.
