Acts of Kindness

The Course reminds us that we live in a world of illusion and that in this world of illusion there are no hierarchies --- that a mild annoyance is the same (in content) as an assault. This being so, there is no hierarchy of kindnesses, either. Holding a door open is the same as giving someone $100. We do what we can with what we have. With that as introduction, here's a story:

It was one of those days. You know the kind. I'd misplaced my cellphone and it took forever to find it. I'd misplaced my car keys and it took another forever to find them. I was in a rush, and now harried because I had things to do.

As I was out and about taking care of business I decided to hit the Taco Bell drive-thru. I pulled up to the order-box and asked for two bean burritos. The voice at the other end of the box said "That'll be $2.50." As I pulled toward the drive-thru window I reached into my pocket for a $10 bill that was there. Oh, no! It wasn't there! I'd taken it out when I washed my slacks. "That's okay," I thought, "I'll use my debit card that's in my wallet." I reached for my wallet. Oh, no!!! It wasn't there either. I scrambled for change in the console, underneath the seat, and in the door panel ---- pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters --- I scratched for everything I could find. I finished counting the change just as I pulled up to the window --- $2.00 --- that was all I could find.

A lady opened the window and I said, "I'm so embarrassed. I thought I had money in my pocket and my wallet. I have neither." She evidently saw the change in my hand and asked, "How much do you have?" I said, "I only have $2.00 and a lot of it is in pennies." She said, "Sweetheart, don't worry about it. Give me what you have. It's fine." I said, "Thank you so much!" And then she added, "It'll get better."

A few days later I was out and about taking care of business, again. My stomach began to grumble a bit and remembered the kindness of the lady at Taco Bell so I went back to the same Taco Bell. This time I parked the car and went inside. I walked up to the counter and the young man behind the counter asked what I'd like. I told him I'd like two bean burritos to go. "That'll be $2.50, please," he said. I gave him the infamous $10 bill. He gave me change and a styrofoam cup and said, "Don't worry about the drink. It's on me." I was mute for a few seconds. I expressed my gratitude, walked to the fountain, filled my drink cup and awaited my order. The order came, I got in my car, and headed out of the parking lot. Just as I passed the rear of the Taco Bell I saw the young man who took my order carting the trash out to the dumpsters. I rolled down my window and waved. He threw up is hand in response. The kindness of those two people, on those two days, had an impact on me. Here I am, thinking about it and writing about it several weeks later.

There are no such things as small kindnesses. There is no hierarchy of kindnesses. We each do what we can with what we have and we never know what it will do for others.

#acim #acourseinmiracles #inspirational #counseling