Kindness is a funny thing. I read the post I’m going to put below on Paolo Coelho’s blog and I thought I’d share something that happened to me this afternoon.

One of the most powerful things about kindness is its multiplier effect. Now I’m not talking only about the oft discussed principle of seed sowing. SOMETIMES we reap what we sow…not where we sow. Often we give or sacrifice for someone and are surprised, indeed outraged, to realise that the one to whom we gave or sacrificed for wouldn’t do the same for us if the tables were turned.

Mais, c’est la vie.

But, that’s life.

We reap what we sow and so I often find that a kind person finds somewhere along the way of life, an undeserved kindness is also given back to them. But that’s not the only multiplying effect of kindness. I notice, and maybe it’s just me, but I often find that when I decide to do something kind and I share my plans with someone else, they are also touched to do something kind…or contribute to MY something kind. Take today for instance.

I’ve noticed for a while now that some of my colleagues who are on a different contract from me do not often go for lunch. I have heard rumours of non-payment of salaries for some of the people on this different contract for a while now and it appeared that two people on that particular contract do not go out at lunch but often work right through the lunch hour..and still close late. So when I went out to get my lunch today, I decided I’d buy some snacks for them. Now, I have no idea whether they’re just dieting and I’m being ‘extra’ or if my gesture of love would be misinterpreted, but I figured I’d just do it still.

So I went out, got the snacks and then realised I didn’t take enough to buy the corresponding drinks to wash down the bag of artery-blocking delectable delights. I bumped into a friend at the restaurant and he asked me what I was doing following the heavy lunch he’d just witnessed me consume with a bag of pastries?! I told him it was for some colleagues at my office who never had room to go out for lunch. He thought it was thoughtful and offered to buy drinks as his contribution.

See, kindness begets kindness. It’s like it releases a button from people who inside were willing to be kind but didn’t have an opportunity to express this desire.

On my way back to the office, I was shocked to see one of the two colleagues for whom I’d bought lunch heading to the restaurant!

Me: “HEY! I GOT YOU SNACKS AND YOU’RE GOING OUT TO EAT??!” Lol, I promise I didn’t sound that melodramatic. Maybe a little.  In real life, I just said, you know…casually, “Hey, are you going to eat?”

Colleague *sweating profusely in the 38°c heat*: “No, I haven’t eaten. Mr. XX asked me to go buy food for him”

Me *Now beaming*: I got you some food!!! Figured I might as well, you and XXX are glued to your desks these days!

Colleague: *NOW BEAMING!*

It was a lovely moment I tell you. 🙂

*Pins S on chest*.

***********************************************************************As promised, from Paolo Coelho’s blog:

“Those who are paying attention to others, always give before being asked for. Often our selfishness apologizes, saying, “if he was in need, he would have asked.”

And we forget that many people can not – simply can not – ask for help.

I’m not talking just about money: loneliness, often can be worse than hunger.