Small Kindnesses

In the rush of everyday life, interactions with others are often brief, and pass without much notice. Or the people around us become a source of frustration, causing us to think, “Why can’t they drive faster so I could have made that light?” or “Why is that person in front of me in the express checkout lane have a full grocery cart?!”

There are the actions of others that stress us out, and then there are those that can feel like sunshine cutting through clouds. Last weekend, I was navigating an unwelcome mid-March snowfall, attempting to stay warm and dry as I ran errands, regretting my boots were at home. As I popped into a Starbucks to grab my mobile order, the smiley face drawn by the barista made me smile too, altering my attitude that day.

This gesture made me stop and think about how meaningful this small kindness was to me.  Here’s a barista who likely drove in the dark to her early shift at Starbucks after scraping unexpected snow from her car. She probably arrived at work with cold, damp feet. She could have focused on her frustration but was empathetic towards her cold and damp customers instead.  

Last weekend’s coffee stop reminded me of a long-ago experience at a Starbucks drive thru. I had my carpool buddies riding in my back seat, 3-year-old Will and 5-year-old John, on our 40-minute daily trek to the daycare near the hospital I worked for. I was overwhelmed that morning, preoccupied with getting to the office in time for my 8am meeting. When the barista in the drive-thru told me that the person in front of me had paid for my order, I was touched. Whatever the reason for the stranger’s decision to pay for us, it made me feel seen and cared for. Feelings in short supply at that time in my life.  

The beauty of small gestures is their simplicity. Holding the door for someone, complimenting a person’s outfit, or sending a text to someone you haven’t reached out to in a long time may have more impact than you realize. 🌻

No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.

Aesop