Tonia, Sacramento – gruff gentleman asked if I was having “one of those fancy coffee drinks”

Several weeks ago, I was in line at the local Java City and an older, rather gruff gentleman in line in front of me turned around and asked if I would be ordering “one of those fancy coffee drinks.” I indicated that on that particular day I was craving a cup of tea, but that I did enjoy the fancy coffees occasionally. He handed me a “buy 10 get 1 free” punchcard, already fully punched and said to enjoy my next one on him. I believe the barista said his name was Walt (which was also my Grandpa’s name) – he was clearly a regular. You know, I hung onto that card for a couple of weeks just because it made me feel good to know that people still do that kind of thing for one another. That one gesture has brightened several days beyond the one I got the fancy coffee on. So thanks, Walt!!!

B. Lynn Goodwin, California – I was honored that she loved the book

The evening’s guest speaker sat next to me at an Alzheimer’s support group. She asked to look at my book, which is called You Want Me to Do What? Journaling for Caregivers. I showed it to her and she said she had to have it to use with her groups, but she didn’t have any money. She asked if she could send it to me, so I gave her the book and put my PO box number on the back of a business card.

I have no problem with the fact that I did not receive her check. I still might some day, but that is not the point. I was honored that she loved the book and wanted to share it with the caregivers she works with. Wherever she is, I hope this woman, who ministers to caregivers, is spreading the word that journaling helps.

Cass F., Doylestown, PA – found out it would not work

Just yesterday a gentleman in Downingtown, PA, WaWa purchased a coffee for me. I was in front of him in line and my car was filling with gas using the WaWa card and I found out it would not work while it was still being used. The clerk suspended the purchase. Meanwhile, the kind gentleman paid $1.33 for me as an apology for almost running me over earlier in the store.

NK, Iowa – On a snowy day

On a snowy day, a guy in an HVAC van rear-ended me, putting a little bump in my fender. Well, I normally drive a sports car, but because of the weather, I was driving our old Nissan. He got out and apologized and gave me his name and number. I said, no big deal. I could have gotten some money from insurance but decided it would be better to assume that he would pay it forward.

Nayri, Los Angeles – I did not make his day. He made mine.

He was standing at the corner of one busy thoroughfare, holding a note: “Homeless, please help.” He was clean shaven, and looked like he had recently gone into foreclosure. His clothes were clean, but his looks were desperate.

Normally I ignore these people. As much as I care to help, traffic moves fast. Besides, I don’t want to encourage beggars. One can always find an honest day’s work if the ego is not in the way. This one looked like calamity had struck him while he was sleeping.

I had half a package of sesame sticks in my car, within reach. I keep these as security from hunger. I hastened to hand it over to him before the light turned green. His “thank you” shook me. He sounded as if he needed it desperately and my miserly, half package sticks were a blessing from God. I did not make his day. He made mine.

If only I had had a sealed, full package . . .

Yvonne/ Peoria, IL – someone somewhere was looking out for my family

I grew up in Detroit in a family that qualified for free school lunches and received donated food from an organization called Focus Hope. As an adult, whenever I have the opportunity to pass on the blessing of food assistance I do so.

Mostly it happens in the grocery store, but it also happens at fast food counters, sporting arenas, and concession stands. If someone in line ahead of me is putting things back because they don’t have enough money, I try to buy it for them. I’ll either signal the cashier that I’ll pay the extra or let the person check out, pay for what they left, and have the bagger catch them in the parking lot.

I find it comforting that someone somewhere was looking out for my family and me while I was a kid. It feels good to think I can give another family the same feeling of comfort.

Cass F., Doylestown, PA – I realized they had no dessert

On Thanksgiving Eve 1999, I went shopping for the ingredients for a bread pudding, my father’s favorite dessert, at 10pm at night. I was in line behind a woman who was in line behind 4 male college students from Delaware Valley College. They had pulled all their money together and had $16 and decided to purchase a Thanksgiving Day meal that the tallest would cook the next day. These kids did not have money to go home for THanksgiving. When I saw that they were able to purchase a small turkey, box of stuffing, can of green beans, can of cranberry…I realized they had no dessert and I ran across the store to pick up a pumpkin pie. When I got back to the line, I handed it to the cashier and told her to put it in their bag and charge it to me. They were so thrilled. I asked them when they had money in the future to remember this and do something nice for someone else when they could. Meanwhile, I left the recipe at the grocery store and when I got home I realized I had all the ingredients but no recipe. I went back to the store and it was in the aisle where I was when I realized they had no dessert. The next day, we all realized that it was the best bread pudding with rum sauce we ever had!

A. Kim, Savor the Success, New York City – all that dread turned into something good

Last year, I was on the road 200 days as a touring concert pianist. Count ‘em. 200 days. It was enough to drive me crazy from all of the travel, delayed flights, and different hotel rooms every night.

So I decided to take a much-needed hiatus from the piano this year. However, my touring agency had to schedule two concerts this year due to scheduling conflicts from last year’s season. One of those “run-outs” was this past weekend in my home state of Iowa, forcing me out of piano hibernation. I was dreading it, but my annoying professional self would not allow me to cancel.

Everything went wrong from the beginning. LaGuardia was hectic, backed-up, and delayed. (No surprise there.) We were stuck on the runway for a good two hours. By the time I landed in freezing Iowa, it was 2:30 AM. I ran out to catch a cab, but I forgot that those don’t really exist there. How was I going to get to my hotel? There was no transportation in sight and the airport was closing down.

I asked a lady who was waiting for her ride where I could call to get a cab. She looked at me sympathetically and asked if I needed a ride to my hotel. I quietly thanked my guardian angel and hopped into the car with her.

The next day, back in the airport, Northworst announced that they were going to cancel the flight due to mechanical issues. I went to the booking desk, and they said that the next flight out was in eight hours. They asked if I had a car so I could drive to a surrounding airport to catch an earlier flight. Of course I didn’t.

Suddenly I heard my name, a tap on my shoulder. It was that same lady who gave me a ride to my hotel room! “Do you want a ride to the other airport? I’m going there and you can catch that next flight to Minneapolis.” It turns out that she was a Customer Service Supervisor from Northwest, and she would help me get to the airport on time and get on that flight.

In the car, I asked her how much I could pay her for the gas. She turned to me and said, “Honey, just pay it forward. I believe that you will remember this and pass on the goodness. Pay for a stranger’s dinner out of the blue. Fill up someone’s parking meter if it runs out. Do something kind and you’ll never know how you’ve affected that person’s life.”

So all that dread turned into something good. I was reminded of human kindness and how – in the midst of the craziness of my life back in New York City where I sometimes feel like flipping off the cab driver who gives me whiplash or yelling at the Chinese woman who pushes me out of the way so she can sit down – kindness still needs room in our lives.

As busy entrepreneurs, I think we all forget sometimes that there is a real human side to doing business. We all get caught up in our goals to climb and make forward motion that it’s easy to forget to take a step back, breathe, and do some good for someone.

Pay it forward, friends.

Dr Wright , Rancho Cucamonga, California – I am grateful for that

I host a television show. My topics include small business. However, years ago, when a friend who was on dialysis announced that he had found a kidney donor, I offered to let him talk about it on TV. I wanted to spread the word that donors are needed. His hospital even sent me footage of the actual operation to show on my show. We aired the show, celebrated his new lease on life and I spent about 6 months promoting organ donor awareness. One year later, my father was diagnosed as needing a liver. He is older and we did not think he would be high on the list. However, he did get a liver and had a successful transplant which has added another 7 years to his life. I am grateful for that. It was not me directly, however, I like to think some good karma was added in somewhere.

Adalia, Tarzana CA – this act has left a lasting impression on me

Two months ago I was in the check out line at my local grocery store Vons. I reached into my purse to retrieve my credit card to pay for my groceries, to my chagrin, the card was missing.

I was frustrated having spent time and energy on gathering the groceries and I was not looking forward to doing it again – I was pressed for time. I asked the “checker” not to put away the groceries because I was local and would be back within minutes. I got out of line and proceeded to the next counter and dumped everything out of my purse – just to be sure the card was not there and it was not.

I was not happy and as I began to walk out of the store, a woman came up to me and handed me a receipt. I was puzzled and looked at her quizzically. She said “I paid for your groceries.” I was shocked. I was speechless. I stammered “You paid for my groceries.” “Why would you do that?” I asked. I was having a hard time making sense of this situation. I reached in my bag for pen and paper, to get her name and phone number but she was already heading for the door. I ran after her and said ” Heh, I need your name and number, so that I can pay you back.” She turned around and said “that is not necessary, just do the same for someone else and pay it forward.”

This was the first time that I became aware of this phrase and later on learned that there was a movie with that same theme. I have always been generous to strangers, friends and relatives, however, this act has left a lasting impression on me. I was on the receiving end of someone’s kindness and it was so unexpected.

This act has influenced me to create a life that will allow me to do many, many random acts of buying groceries for families all over the world.