This story I am about to tell you is not to try and make me look like a good person or toot my own horn in any way. I tell you this story because I want it to inspire you and inspire anyone who hears it. I want to see a world where random acts of kindness are not praised but a norm. I want to see a world where doing good things for others don’t go viral on social media because it’s just a regular occurrence on a daily basis. I think it starts with you and you making it part of your daily routine. It starts with me giving a nice smile to the guy at Starbucks who looks like he’s having a rough day or you engaging someone in a conversation that allows them to vent frustration. If we ALL just lived a little more selfless and a lot more kind we could leave this world a little better for the children we bring into it. This story I’m about to tell you may seem like I did something great but in reality, it was just a small gesture from a kind heart. I never knew the impact it would have on someone’s life.
Random acts of kindness go a long way and sometimes come back in beautiful ways. One of our members 2 years ago was going through a very difficult time in his life. He reached out and told me his personal struggles and how taking care of his family and a sick grandparent while fighting to find a job and trying to get into the Police Force had him ending most of his days in tears. His only outlet was here at Radix which he could no longer afford. My heart hurt for him and I told him he could train for free as long as he needed. He trained and fought for his family’s future. He got into Police college and that was the end of his training at Radix as the academy was far away. Six months ago he showed up here and paid me every cent he owed, I refused to take it, he wouldn’t leave tell I took it. Today he is a police officer with Peel and came in to see me on his day off. He gave me this coin that Officers get to give out to people who have done something to help them in life. I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t cry. He explained to me that what I did for him gave him hope in a time of hardship and sadness. I was speechless and I’m honored and blessed in so many ways. Random Acts of Kindness go a long way and sometimes come back in beautiful ways
It’s not big things but the small acts of kindness that can make this world a better place to live. Give it a try, not once but every day.
~Coach Dan