OK, I am writing this, not to brag or tell everyone what I do, but I would love to share this idea. Every winter, we have the traditional Salvation Army Bell Ringers. We all see them. Are you someone who gives or speed walks past and hopes not to make eye contact? Some are happy doing this monotonis bell ringing, politely smiling at all who walk by. Some are freezing and look disgruntled. Then there is this one gentleman…. Every year he stands outside a local store and sings. He sings Christmas carols. He SINGS! Smiling, LOUDLY SINGING, In the freezing weather! I have decided that he is a Christmas Angel. Some of you will understand this comment. That there is usually someone or something that triggers the happy Christmas feeling. Christmas lights, music, or anything that just gives you the warm ready to give feeling. Well, this last year, I was in a funk and couldn’t get into the spirit of Christmas. I tried, I really did. Then, on a usual shopping trip, I see this familiar face (he has been doing this a few years now). He was singing at the top of his lungs. In a time of “happy holidays” verses “Merry Christmas”, He was singing Christmas carols as loudly as he could with a smile from ear to ear. This made me smile. Uncontrollably. (In case you didn’t know, smiles are contagious). It was about 10 degrees outside and he was happy! He wasn’t thinking about himself and it made him feel good, wow, amazing how that works. So, on my way past, I smiled and said “It’s a hot coffee kind of day” he smiled and said “hot cocoa was his favorite”. So my wheels started turning. I went in and bought 2 hot cocoas. One for him and one for the gentleman at the other entrance (who didn’t understand the cocoa delivery) I dropped them off and went on with my shopping. Feeling so good about the holiday. Then an amazing thing happened. I left the store and the man told me I was an angel. Wow, I was just calling him that. Can you be and angel for your angel? I guess so. This tradition has continued. I always take hot cocoa for the bell ringers, I feel that the 2 bucks spent to keep the bell ringers energized is better that putting the same amount in the red bucket. I look forward to the bell ringers every year. Especially the Singer! As if this story couldn’t get better, it does. I over heard a woman while I was eating lunch, talking about “the hot cocoa lady”. And how she helped her husband with the Christmas spirit. She is married to the Singer. Liz reminds us about random acts of kindness touching so many others, and this is proof. I thought I was warming him on a cold day, but I ended up rejuvenating him, this wonderful man that touches so many others, and his wife was telling her coworkers about how it affected her. I wonder how many people we can affect with one act of kindness. How many people can you affect with something little? Even just by sing a song or smiling instead of looking like your dreading a duty or job. Smile! Smile! Smile! It’s contagious.
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