Here is my Random Act of Kindness for the week . . .
Every Thursday I go to Edinburgh to visit the Post Natal Depression Service that I use. I am currently on the waiting list for counselling at the moment but I take JC to the creche so that he gets used to spending time there. I also get some time to myself to go for a walk. I like to walk up Princes Street and I usually visit Waterstones or Starbucks for some book and coffee therapy.
When I was walking back to pick JC up I passed a homeless man sitting outside one of the shops. I looked over at him as I walked by and he gave me the loveliest smile. Sometimes the city can be a coldhearted place and not a lot of people smile at me when I go for my walk. I walked straight into Starbucks and bought a takeaway coffee and a muffin (lemon drizzle, my favourite). As I left the shop I thought of the homeless man and that lovely smile and without thinking I turned back and gave him the coffee and the muffin. He mumbled a 'cheers hen' as he tucked into his muffin and I just said 'nae bother' and off I went to pick up JC. Karma must work because all the lights were green on the way home and anyone who drives in Edinburgh will know that that rarely ever happens!
I originally come from a small mining village (Lochgelly) in the east of Scotland where unemployment is high and prospects for young people are low. I like to think I have made something of my life and that I am a credit to my small village roots but it could've been totally different. I was lucky that I had a loving and stable homelife, a supportive school environment and a sensible peer group. I think there is a part of it that is internal too as I have always been a keen learner and naturally ambitious. I went through a bit of a bad patch in my youth but all the positives I have mentioned pulled me through it and kept me on the straight and narrow. Maybe this man didn't have a good homelife or upbringing, maybe he had bad teachers, maybe he has a mental health problem, maybe he made mistakes but he's still human and he still deserves respect, empathy and most of all kindness.
If you want to link up that would be lovely, or you could just leave a comment . . .
This is new to me so let me know if you have any problems linking up!
Link up your kindness experiences . . .
1. | Moomser |
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