When Your Actions Can Make a Real Difference

How simple actions can turn into amazing acts of kindness

Image from Pixabay

Life is hard because we allow it to be.

We sink into the chaos and busyness of our lives, and we grow distant and disconnected from each other.

We grow this belief, we can’t count on other people.

Be wary of people, they say. Don’t talk to strangers, they say.

When someone approaches on the street. We immediately think they want something from you.

What’s even worse, we label people by their looks, social status, and possessions.

But true authenticity and humility come from inside.

And that’s something that takes time to reveal itself.

The other day, as I walked by a busy street, I glanced at a girl in worn clothes who was approaching me.

Her words to me were a bit muffled in the beginning, as if both were underwater. I turned off my internal monologue and turned my attention toward her so I could make sense of her words.

“Yes, what is it?” — I asked.

She told me her boyfriend left her stranded in the city where I was living, and she had no means to get back home.

I was trying to buy into her story, it seemed farfetched at the start, but it could happen after a fight or a discussion, and they broke up.

I decided to help her.

When it comes to helping someone, I always remember that a good deed is a good deed in my books, no matter how ill the intentions are from the other side.

“Could you spare £4 so I can get a way back home?” — she asks politely.

I shrugged myself off, aware of my decision earlier to help her. And I reached for my wallet and gave her £5.

While I was reaching for the £5 in my wallet, she explained she only needed another £4 to make the necessary total of £8 to get back home.

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I did notice she glanced over my wallet when I was reaching out for the money and saw I had more.

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She promptly asks, “Would you be able to give me £10 instead?”

Now I know what you are thinking, I did. She’s trying to get more from me.

Perhaps she was. The important thing was I decided to help her, and giving away £10 won’t hurt me.

I gave her £10 and she gave me back the £5.

While I was putting my wallet away and preparing to leave, I felt two arms surrounding me as she came straight at me with a big, heartfelt hug.

My mind stopped thinking and stayed still for a few seconds. Something inside me wanted to savor this moment.

For those brief seconds, all I could feel was her arms around me. I felt a heartwarming feeling growing inside me. I was moved by her gesture.

I wasn’t expecting this.

I stuttered.

I wished her a pleasant day, and we parted our ways.

I wasn’t expecting that from a stranger. Not when society tells me others are out to get you.

I’ll be honest — I felt incredible that day. I did help someone. I ignored all preconceived beliefs I had and reached out to someone in need.

Kindness is powerful and contagious. My good deed probably gave her a sense that there’s good in this world after all.

It’s not all doom and gloom. Not everyone is selfish and self-centered. There are people with some kindness in their hearts.

I gave her a glance of hope.

Probably she walked away feeling better about her day.

In consequence, it made my day better too.

Never regret doing good things for others. Doing positive things brings positivity to your life.

Never regret helping someone in need.

You’ll never know what difference you can make in someone’s life.

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Thank you. See you at the next one!

Mario Da Silva