Tag Archives: Debbie Ford

Paying It Backwards: A Random Act Of Kindness

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Have you ever wanted to do something nice for someone? Make their day? Have you ever thought of doing a random act of kindness? Paying it forward? Yesterday morning, while getting my morning ‘Cup of Joe,’ I decided it was time to pay it forward.

While turning into Starbucks parking lot, with thoughts of paying it forward, a Chevy Avalanche chose to cut me off. My first knee jerk reaction was, “You Jerk!” Then another voice steps in, “I guess he was in a hurry for his cup of coffee. Too bad, because I would have bought his morning coffee.” Had he not cut me off, he would have been right behind me, making him the recipient of paying it forward or in this case ‘paying it backwards.’ His loss; the person in the SUV behind me…their gain!

I ordered as usual and anticipated the random act of kindness. “Quad Venti, Two pump, White Chocolate Mocha, non-fat, no-whip please!”

As I ordered my morning pick-me-up, I wondered where this man was off to in such a hurry. Was he on his way to work? Did he think he was the king of the road? Funny how we begin to fill in the blanks, judging others by the automobiles they drive. I was way off from my assumption of him being a professional athlete. Judging by the large vehicle, the professional sport logos, tinted windows and the major college logo on his license plates, I thought for sure he was a pro ball player…he wasn’t. He was indeed in a hurry to get to work and was not fully in the moment of friendly driving.

When I approached the checkout window, the surprise was on me. The Barista asked me to ‘hold on.’ When she returned she explained, “your coffee has been paid for. The guy in front of you paid for it. When we asked if it was a random act of kindness, he replied No, I think I cut him off. Please extend my apologies.” Huh?! The person about to commit a random act of kindness, just got served a random act?! Who cool is that?!

When I explained to the Barista my plan for the morning and the irony of this gesture, we both chuckled as the person I would have  bought a coffee for, bought one for me. Nevertheless, I asked her to keep it going and still chuckling she complied.

The moral of the story is this…people may cut you off…stay on task. Whatever the goal of the day, do not let others sway you from having a good day. In the end, you will be happier and the mundane will not seem so mundane. Who knows…you might be pleasantly surprised as to how things work out.

Stepping into the Canvas ‘Paying it Backwards.’ As we step out today, may we practice random acts of kindness. Whether it be paying it forward or, while at your favorite coffee shop, ‘pay it backwards.’ In the end you will have made someones day, you will feel better and the domino effect can go on for eternity…

 

Way Finding: Choosing One’s Path

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There is a lot of talk about right and wrong, this way or that way, but never really a clear direction on the proper path. The proper path being different for each and everyone of us. They say there are many paths to enlightenment…how we get there is up to us.
Even in the darkest times we can find a bright idea. While in our brightened times we embrace all there is. Either way there is always light…a path to enlightenment. Unless there is a void of darkness or the absence of light, there is always a bright idea.
To choose one’s path, is merely just that…a choice. We can choose a path of destruction or a path of creation, either way, directly or indirectly, we are creating a path of creation.
Just this morning, when having words with a friend, our discussion became deep by  normal ears. Discussing whether there is a right way or wrong way in life, we concluded it comes down to perception and choices to which Way to go. Which ever direction we choose, both have cause and effect. Witnessing our discussion an onlooker says, “This is getting really deep.” We chuckle and ask him to join in…he declines. “There’s just too much bullshit going on in this world, without it potentially affecting us and bringing us down.”
That is when it hit me. I explained to them, “yes bullshit is real, but even bullshit can lead to enlightenment. I once thanked a man for being the ass he was, thereby showing me how to be. Directly or indirectly, another human being can show us how to be. No matter the given situation of the day, we have a choice. A choice of being happy or angry.”

Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.~Rumi

There are two types of people in our lives whom influence our actions. The direct influence of another and the indirect influence, either way we are influenced by the people around us. The caution being the indirect influences, as they can potentially redirect our ways in the opposing direction.

First the direct influence of another: one who emits qualities in which we admire and have a desire to emanate. These are the folks in which we look up to, wishing or altering our lives to match theirs. The caveat to this is, these people can either influence us to follow a path of darkness and destruction or a path of light and creation. Along a path of darkness, we do what want, without consideration for those around us and potentially harming others for self-gain. While the other looks at the greater picture of spreading more light and love into the world, aligning steps whilst keeping others in consideration. If an individual has made a choice of following a darkened path, then the indirect influence would be that of someone who follows a path of light. The caveat, the indirect influence could potentially bring this person into a more creative role and into a path of creation (humbly speaking…not a bad thing).

Karma moves in two directions. If we act virtuously, the seed we plant will result in happiness. If we act non-virtuously, suffering results.~Sakyong Mipham

The indirect influence is anyone who emanates behavior that does not align with our own views or perceptions of reality. Again, if we are on a path of light and love, then the indirect influences can only increase our cause or bring us down. If we are on a path of darkness and destruction, then the indirect influences may strengthen our darkened ways or tip us into a path of Light and Love. Sounds like we are back to choice.

Wherever you stand, be the Soul of that place.~Rumi

Stepping into the Canvas with choice. Whether we splatter the Canvas with colors of grey or paint with vibrant colors of the soul, may it be so confidently in the direction you seek. Directly or indirectly influenced by another, we have choice to follow or run the other way…either way it comes down to choice…This is The Way.