Your Best Life

The Power of Kindness

 

A Rough Start

This past weekend I performed as an emcee at a two day legal conference in downtown Manhattan.  It was a challenging gig, as my clients decided to give me directions 10 minutes before the conference kicked off.  For two full days I would experience a series of last minute changes (sometimes when I was on stage), extended work hours, and a delay in payment.  It lead me to realize that I must be more selective with my clients.  Ultimately, the conference was a success, and I was the recipient of many fine compliments regarding my ability to lead the event from beginning to end.  Still, this feeling of dissatisfaction was very much alive in me.

The next day I decided to make a promotional video with a filmmaker friend of mine.  He was gracious enough to help me and, in return, I wanted to treat him to lunch at an upscale vegan restaurant in the East Village.  This is where faith in humanity would be fully restored.  Let me explain.

Kindness From A Stranger

We sat down to order.  And order we did!  Drinks, food, dessert; everything!  At one point we sparked up a conversation with a gentleman sitting next to us.  He looked unassuming, wearing a t-shirt and jeans, quietly enjoying his vegan lasagna.  Since he prefers to remain anonymous, and he’s from Ireland, we’ll call him Patrick.  Patrick had become vegan two years ago after reading ‘How Not To Die’ by Dr. Gregor of Nutritionfacts.org.  We chatted about his evolution towards good health, along with the current state of affairs in Ireland (who is actually enjoying a Gay Indian as Prime Minister these days!), and my friend’s hipster mustache.  It was a natural flow of thoughts and ideas, which culminated in our new friend taking care of our bill.  He had tried to be smooth about it too, asking our waitress to tell us that we were their millionth customer and that our meal was free.  I was overwhelmed with shock and gratitude.  Who was this guy?  Why did we deserve this?  How can I repay him?  All of these thoughts and feelings raced through my mind, but I consciously silenced them.  I thanked him profusely, and requested his email so that he could be the millionth customer the next time I came into town.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of Patrick’s generosity began to spread far and wide through me.  Moved by his selflessness, I embodied the same for the remainder of my trip.  I got my friend an Uber home.  I took an old friend in the city out for the evening and treated her to a venting session about the issues in her life, along with some wine.  The next day, as I returned to DC, I saw a man eating a slice of pizza out of the garbage.  I couldn’t take it.  There I was in NYC eating gourmet vegan pizza the day before when Patrick treated me.  How could I pass by this man without offering him some dignity?  I gave him dinner money and asked him to get himself something nice to eat.

A Lesson in Kindness

I continue to be amazed at the kindness bestowed upon me by a stranger.  Perhaps our energies were in sync, and he sensed I had a rough few days leading up to that lunch?  Maybe he was on the receiving end of an act of kindness prior to that day?  Either way, he made an impact, and it continues to make ripples.  Even in a harsh city like NYC, kindness has its place.

 

monicabassi