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SALT LAKE CITY — The other day my mom shared an experience that got me thinking about the power of “Evan Almighty”-type ARKs—Acts of Random Kindness.
A birthday dress
She was standing in line at a thrift store and overheard a conversation between a worried mother and her young daughter who excitedly clutched a pretty "party" dress. The mother said, we can't afford it, and the daughter's face fell.
It cost $10.
My mom stepped up to them and explained that as a grandma, her girls didn't live close by, and would the woman mind if she paid for the dress? It turned out that it was the young girl's birthday.
Coupon Kindness
Another friend shared the experience of her mother and sister. As coupon queens, they had just gone shopping, purchasing about $1,000 worth of groceries for about $30.
Exiting the store excited by the rewards of their hard work, the mother noticed a man sitting in his car eating a pudding. Something struck her as odd so she walked over to him, struck up a conversation, and found out he had fallen on hard times. The two women gave him three bags full of groceries.
Before leaving, the gentleman explained to them he had taken a paper route to help make some money, and would they like one of his extra Sunday papers to say thank you? When the women got home, these coupon gals found out that the paper contained not the usual one coupon section (which you're lucky to find), but FOUR coupon sections.
Bringing home baby
As for our family, we’ve received many ARKs with the new baby, from someone babysitting my other children to my mom doing laundry (the joy of folded kitchen cloths…) Symbolic of this service was a neighbor who brought our family dinner.
But it wasn’t just dinner—she had made a huge pan of incredible fajitas, with all possible sides included, in pretty disposable containers to eliminate dish duty; and a huge dessert (note: three happy teenage boys); and the cutest outfit for our new baby (note: three squealing girls); and a Body Shop bath kit to rejuvenate a tired mama (note: one ecstatic woman). The time, energy, and thoughtfulness that went into this ARK made me feel overwhelmingly loved, and with the desire to do the same for someone else.
In each of these situations, a person’s life was made brighter and their step a little lighter because someone noticed them, understood their situation, and did something to make it better.
Enjoy this week finding your own ARKs, both giving and receiving, without fear or embarrassment. And feel free to share it. Email connie@8basics.com your experience and enter to win your very own ARK.
Connie Sokol is an author, presenter, Studio 5 contributor and mother of seven. Contact her at connie@8basics.com.
