Monday, November 12, 2007

Random Acts

I have always had romantic notions about random acts of kindness. I'd like to incorporate more of them into my life but it's just not American. We aren't inclined to walk up to strangers and pay them a compliment. It's not our style. We're more of a suspicious, avert your eyes kind of people. Sure, this might be a generalization but I cannot remember the last time a stranger said something kind to me just for the sake of kindness.



I was pumping gas this morning when a white pick-up truck pulled into the pump next to mine. The driver was wearing a military uniform and looked to be in his seventies. I assumed he was on his way to some type of Veterans Day event. I thought to myself, "How hard would it be to walk up to the guy and just thank him for serving our country and wish him a happy Veteran's Day?" Turns out, it was incredibly hard. I ran through every scenario in my neurotic skull: What if he's a serial killer? What if he's a Vietnam vet and goes into some sort of violent flashback when I remind him of his service (yes, I've seen a few too many war movies)? What if he's bitter about his service? Then again, he was wearing the uniform. I decided that his most likely response to my kindness would be appreciation and that I owed it to him and all the veterans out there to utter some words of gratitude. What did I have to lose?



After I finished pumping gas, I walked over to his pump and told him that I noticed his uniform and wanted to thank him for his service to our country. He smiled proudly and thanked me. I wished him a happy Veteran's Day and walked back to my van. I survived unscathed, feeling high from gratitude. It was fabulous. I'm still riding this wave of kindness. I hope it follows me (and him) for several more hours. Have you thanked a Vet today?



18 comments:

  1. I haven't thanked one yet but I will in a few minutes when I see my father.
    I have found that once you push yourself to pay compliments the easier it becomes. If I notice that someone's make-up looks great I will tell them. If I think someone is smart I will let them know. It was hard at first but now it's just me and I like that part of me. Hopefully somewhere a long the way I made someone's day a bit brighter

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  2. That was a very grand gesture! I'm sure the vet will carry it around with him for a long time. I try to compliment people every day. And I do it for selfish reasons. It makes me feel wonderful!

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  3. Oftentimes I feel a lot of pride when I reflect on the character of the girls my sons married.

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  4. Papa Dale - you gave me a tear ball!

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  5. Here is something weird I do. Sometimes when I go somewhere...like church or a get-together with friends, I think to myself, "I'm going to say something nice and unexpected to 3 people before I leave." Sometimes I compliment my friends on their outfit or haircut and sometimes I pick out complete strangers and find something nice to say to them.

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  6. Maribeth-
    I think you are right. COmplimenting someone is simple. I'm just a little rusty.

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  7. Keli-
    I'm thinking of hopping on that selfish bandwagon myself.

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  8. Papa Dale-
    Thanks. I got lucky with my in-laws.

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  9. Alyson-
    Me too. He's getting all sentimental on us!

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  10. Jacquelyn-
    Great idea. I need to put that one into practice. I'll set goals for myself before I arrive at a social event and refuse to leave until I fulfill them.

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  11. Good Girl. I just thanked them when I bought the poppy but you have a point, I could have done more. Happy Remembrance Day! (That's what we call it in Canada, same day and same idea though.)

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  12. I'm sure you made his day, Julianne. Like the others if I see someone wearing shoes I like I will tell them, etc. I was in the Wal-Mart produce section and noticed this woman's haircut. I told her I loved it – she's now my hair stylist. :-)

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  13. Leanne-
    Happy Remembrance Day to you as well.
    Thanking them is probably more than most do.

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  14. Tiffani-
    Good for you! Good hairstylists are hard to find!

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  15. I am very proud of you...as a mother i feel the same way often about strangers...but as a VETERAN myself, just know that, that veteran will carry that around with him for a very long time..it means so much to each of us, and lets them know that they are not forgotten....

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  16. You go girl!! I love complimenting people. I have always done that (it is the Nancy Jean coming out aka my mom). I just hope that maybe someday they will return the favor. It is so nice to hear that. We need more NICENESS. Just going to the store and having the cashier say "have a great day and thank you" is nice. It is rare though that it happens now days.

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  17. Thanks Audrey. That makes me feel really good.

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