Random acts of kindness are good karma generators. The idea is to do something out of the kindness of your heart to “pay it forward.” There are a handful of reasons to practice these random acts: to try and make that person’s day just a little bit better, give them a reason to smile, and also inspire them to pass that good vibe along.
Often, the people affected by these selfless gestures are taken off guard, and for me, that’s the best kind.
One of my favorite random acts of kindness to practice is a derivation on the practice of paying the toll for the car behind you on the highway. I’m a faithful fan of Dunkin Donuts coffee, and often when I grab a Large French Vanilla Light & Sweet through the drive thru, I will buy the cup of coffee ordered by the car behind me. I typically peel out of the parking lot so there’s no chance of anyone catching up to me – but it makes me smile to think that they are probably sitting in the car dumbfounded over what just happened.
America Runs on Kindness.
photo courtesy The Consumerist
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I am so with you on the toll deal. I used to do it more often but E Z Pass has thrown a monkey wrench in to it. It is however an incentive to use the cash lane now and again.
what kind of incentive do you need to buy me some black bean soup at panera?
that is really awesome of you. I can only imagine the look on the person’s face when they tell them they’ve been awarded something out of nowhere. haha.
i’m kinda waiting for the day that someone catches up to me!