random acts

Things that went right today:

1) kids adjusting to school well.

2) had a showing on the house and they liked it!

3) House is very clean because I showed it. ...nice

4) Had a very nice older gentlemen stop to help me jump start the car

5) had a treatment done on my scar to make it show less..yeah!

While waiting in the car at the end of my long street for someone to finish looking at my house (the joys of selling) I did not realize that my car key was turned a little and my battery was wearing down. When we tried to go home and realized what had happened we were mildly alarmed. It was getting dark and my son and I were both looking at the jumper cables with a dazed look in our eyes having no idea how to hook them up, but knowing it was bad if we did it wrong. All of my other kids were in the car getting cranky from being cooped up for so long and I was just beginning to despair when our knight in shining armor drove up in a red minivan. An older gentleman who offered to help. Were we ever glad to see him!!!! He lived around the corner and I am sure he was tired from a long day at work and looking forward to getting home. But still he stopped to help strangers in need. Not only did he help us get the battery started but he stayed for about a half hour and taught my son a lot about the workings of an engine and what to do in various emergencies. He was very patient and kind to us, never making us feel he was rushed. It got me thinking about random acts of kindness and how valuable they are. We each have different skills, personalities, etc that can be used to help others. Often even a small act can have a huge impact in someone's life. In our case it was this man's knowledge of how to work the cables...not a huge thing but when you do not know how to do it it can sure seem monumental. Sometimes it is a smile to someone who is lonely. Or telling a silly joke to a person who needs a good laugh. Sometimes it is physical things like money or clothing. I recall last year when a family in the neighborhood had their home burn down how many people gave so much of what they had to comfort this family in their time of need. Sometimes it is as simple as a compassionate listening ear. Sometimes we can give others the invaluable gift of time and space by taking their young children for a few hours to give them a break when they need one. The opportunities to bless the lives of those around us are innumerable. All it takes is willingness and a little creativity. There are countless charitable organizations as well that can assist us in finding ways to serve the community at large in a more structured way. Why should we do these things? First and foremost because I believe it is a moral obligation that we have as human beings to help our brothers and sisters in the world. The Savior himself taught us that what we do to the least of our brethren we do unto Him. The need is great and varied and we all have so much to give. But in addition to that we also bless ourselves. Serving others gets our minds off of our own problems for awhile and often puts them in perspective. It gives us a chance to stretch and build our talents and it just feels good to put a smile on another's face and know you have done a good deed. It builds our character when we look outside of ourselves for awhile and makes us more compassionate and grateful people when we realize how fortunate we truly are. Another aspect of this equation is learning how to be a gracious receiver. Sometimes we get in the habit of giving all the time to the point where we find it difficult to let others serve us without it making us feel weak or needy. But having the humility to accept the service of another and allowing them the blessings that will thereby come to them is a beautiful thing. Everybody wins. Stop, look and Listen with loving kindness and service in mind and you will be amazed at how many opportunities you will have come your way. Or better yet, the next time you pray ask Heavenly Father to show you who needs your help...but then watch out because you may be overwhelmed with the response. :-) He is the master of meeting the needs of his children by sending another child to do his will. In this way he can bless them both.

The universe will almost always bring service back around and give us all chances to pay forward the kindnesses we receive. While on my cruise I found myself a little short on cash to make the hike up the waterfall in Jamaica. I was really bummed because it isn't like I am in Jamaica every day. A very nice lady offered to loan me the money and have me pay her back when we got back on the ship. It was a leap of faith for her that I would really pay her back, but she gave willingly anyway and I had the chance to make those wonderful memories. I did of course pay her back and wouldn't you know...a couple of days later on our Cozumel excursion there was a family who came up short of cash for a photo of their kids on the horseback adventure. They asked me if they could borrow the money and I couldn't help but smile. Of course they could!!! The evening news is full of stories that would have us believe that the world is an evil and corrupt place and that you cannot trust anyone anymore. While there may be some truth to this I choose to maintain the opinion that the vast majority of folks out there are good, kind decent individuals. I am grateful today to our "jumper cable man" for proving me right!