I have come to realize that acts of kindness are healthy for you.  There have been studies done that prove that when we perform acts of kindness our brains release a chemical  called serotonin. Serotonin makes us feel happy. Serotonin is also released when we are active through exercise. Its an amazing feeling.  Being Healthy is also about having a healthy mind and attitude about yourself and life. Overall, Its not about what happens to us in life, but how we react to it ; how we see the situation, and how we choose to go about handling it that makes the difference. I have a Random experience that I want to share.

I was having a great day with my good friend Marta. Me and Marta were so grateful for having a day off together. The sun was shining, and we decided to take the day by storm.  We walked over to our favourite health food store to have lunch. We had a really nice 40 min walk there, and we ate our healthy lunches outside. We were trying to take full advantage of the fact  that we were outdoors enjoying nature, and not inside a metal tube for 8 plus hours.  It’s rare to have a friend you can just rejuvenate with. I am so grateful I have a friend like Marta, an amazing person who I can recharge with, and whos friendship I enjoy.

On our walk back we were stopped by A Mother and Son. The lady spoke to me and asked me if I could buy her a meal. She said that her and her son have just been evicted and she didn’t want to ask me for money ,but instead if she could ask me for a meal at Phils. Without hesitation I said Yes. Me and Marta  both looked at each other and I said to her “Marta I just said Yes” It was as if I was haunted and didn’t think twice.

I felt very uncomfortable because I had no idea who these people were. I felt very bad for them. The mother looked about maybe early 50s to me, and her son maybe 28 or 30ish. They looked really banged up and in rough shape. I don’t really know what their story was but they were not in a good place in life , and this I knew for sure regardless of the reasons why.

Marta and I walked into Phils and I thought to myself “Am I being taken for a ride here”? I am not exactly rich , and I am counting my pennies until my next pay cheque. Something just felt off about the whole thing. As I am sitting here writing I just want to burst out laughing at the whole situation. I made up my mind that I would help them regardless of their intentions. I thought to myself “What could have happened to these people to have reached such a low, and Me helping them is between me and God. If they are taking advantage of me then that Is between them and God and that is none of my business.”

So my new friends placed their order . The mom asked for the special and my other friend asked for the Baby Back Ribs????? Whattttttttt??? Ummmmmm I don’t even aim that high when I am enjoying a meal out. If I was rich I would have bought him 3 baby back rib meals, But I need to make rent so I let him know he will be having the special as well. I payed for their meal and The Mom thanked me and I left.

Me and Marta we were so confused and stumped about the whole event. It just felt really off. As we were walking we talked about the situation trying to make sense of it all, we wondered this while having a good laugh. As we walked I realized I didn’t buy them a drink and I felt bad.

I  shook it off, and me and Marta enjoyed the rest of our day. We went to hot yoga and enjoyed salads, and fresh fruits, and lots of yummy lemon and Basil flavoured water. We spent the whole day being so active we were on a high. After Marta Left I began to think about the People who stopped me. I realized those were People. People like you and me who needed help. Who were hungry and had no place to go. I didn’t get there names, and I didn’t ask them if they were ok, or did I help provide any suggestions as to where they should go or what they should do. Everyone including me were just stand offish and guarded. Which unfortunately in todays world we need to be. I can’t just offer my home and say “hey come stay with me as long as you like until your on your feet again” . Its just not how it goes. We give money to charities, and the third world countries , but what about the people who are standing right in front of us. Now this is a whole other can of worms because at the end of the day People who want change need to want it for themselves, and need to help themselves first before anyone can help them. But I guess throwing a rope to someone every now and then Is ok. I didn’t save their life, I didn’t help them change anything about there current situation, but maybe I was able to provide them with a tiny bit of hope to start somewhere with. Some hope for them to realize that they do matter.

I am hearing about Random acts of kindness more and more everyday. People are Purchasing coffees at drive thrus for the other people behind them. My friends Cheryl and Kadija had a man pay for their dinner when they were dining together. They were having a bad experience with the waitress. They were understanding and kind to her but between them they were disappointed. She kept making mistakes through out the whole time they were dining, but they remained understanding and kind. The man over heard them talking to each other about how they were a little disappointed, and paid for their meal. He told them, just pay it forward. I have a crew member Valarie who paid for a ladies items at the convenient store. the lady fell short of money. She had a few items Milk, and bread, etc. Valarie paid and said pay it forward. I was at the Grocery store in the express line, and the lady in front of me had a few items. When she went to pay she was so embarrassed because her wallet was missing. Her children were playing with her purse and she just noticed her wallet was gone. So I told her I would pay for her.  The look on peoples faces are priceless when you see their reaction. They just can’t believe that someone is helping them just because. and I told her just pay it forward. I felt like a million bucks for helping her, I was on a high.  And its an even better feeling when you don’t tell anyone. I am sharing this now because I want to reach out and share how Randoms acts of kinds have changed my life by lifting my spirits. It truly brightens up your life, and when you don’t tell people then Its a gift that you share between you and God. It gives you strength as a person and a feeling of purpose. It gives you the feeling that being here does have meaning, and when you keep it between you and God then it belongs to you.  Your doing it for the sake of doing it and not for credibility. Your not doing it so people think your wonderful, who you are as a person is not for someone else to decide, no one has the right to decide that for you. Feeling good about who you are as a person is the key to a happy life.

Healthy giving is important too. Boundaries are important. It doesn’t come from a place of obligations, or guilt, or does it come from a place of expecting to get back. You don’t do it so people can like you or love you even. Give when It feels good to give and because you want to. And you NEVER owe anybody anything. Always trust your instincts ,if something tells you its not right, then it is most likely not. Never give if your feeling its depleting you or at your expense, or if it hurts to give in that moment. For example when my friend asked for Baby back ribs… . I felt anxiety when he asked for such an expensive meal so I honoured  that feeling. I didn’t owe him anything, so I ordered him the special and felt good about it.  The opportunity to performs acts of kindness will just show up. Whether it be in the store, at the bus stop, work, wherever, pass it on, pay it forward. In a world that feels so cold and that is filed with so many wonderful and amazing people, isn’t  it time that we realize that although there are many people out here that do bad and hurtful things, that there are also people that want to do very helpful and good things as well. That is the Truth. There is always good and bad, lets start and/or continue to pay attention to the good. To see the Balance in Life. Later On in the Future we should have a Happy acts of Kindness day !!!! 🙂

Take care My friends! Talk to you soon