Does kindness matter? Even a small, “inconsequential” act? And do we avoid it because we get ahead of ourselves with thoughts like, “I should just mind my own business,” or “This would be weird,” or my favorite, “They will think I’m weird.” So all of this happened in my head early Friday evening.
I had an appointment in NYC and Doug joined me for the excursion but not the appointment. While he was waiting, he went into Ralph Lauren‘s eponymous coffee shop on 5th avenue in the Flatiron district. By the time I got there they announced that they were closing. Doug took a minute to tell me that these two employees were arguably the happiest two people he had ever met! With that, the young lady asked if we wanted some of the pastries because she would be throwing them out. I immediately said, “Yes, I can share them with our concierge at home.” She proceeded to hand be a bag with 8-10 muffins and brownies, each individually wrapped.
I knew 10 was too many for our one concierge, so I thought, ‘Maybe I should give these away? Will people think I’m weird? Will they take food from a stranger? Maybe I should mind my own business.’ As these thoughts bounced around in my head, I finally said to myself, “Give it a try!” So I got brave with the bus driver and asked him if he’d like one and he said, “This must be my lucky day!” I offered them to the Ferry staff and they were so excited that they took an extra one for the Ferry driver (loved that they immediately thought of their co-worker), then I gave two to our concierge and he was so grateful (I said, “Don’t thank me, it’s all Ralph Lauren!” Finally I saved the last two for our Friday night concierge. She cares for her elderly dad so she works a full time job then comes into our building at 11 pm every Friday night and works a double until 3 pm. Saturday morning I woke up early, heated up the blueberry muffin and brought the muffin and the brownie to her for breakfast. She was so happy. Again, thank you Ralph Lauren, I was just the conduit.
The kindness began with Doug, acknowledging the joy he felt with the staff at Ralph’s, which triggered their kindness to offer us the leftover pastries—you see how this ripples, right? So it’s Monday and it’s the holidays, tensions are beginning to run high. Be kind. Be extra kind. Kindness matters!
Lets’ GO! WE GOT THIS!
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