How to Score a Triple Win for Yourself, Others and the World: Kindness

I was tired.

Our recent move had left me frazzled as I worked my way through stacks of boxes and a long to-do list. With everything in our new condo finally in its place, I stared at the final pile – items to haul to Goodwill.

A large orange suitcase we hadn’t used in years caught my eye. It reminded me of the type used by the community of unhoused people who shelter each night alongside a building across the street. I wondered if I should offer it to one of them instead. While the idea felt intimidating, here I was in the comfort of this wonderful place while some of my new neighbors were sleeping on concrete in the cold a mere fifty yards away. Such a small act of kindness wasn’t asking much of me.

Swallowing my nerves, I grabbed the suitcase and headed outside. As I crossed the street, one gentleman eyed the suitcase eagerly. I said hello to the group and asked if this would be useful to anyone. The man I’d first seen excitedly raised his hand. I stepped toward him just as someone further down the row called, “We’ll take the suitcase!”

I looked over and my heart sank. A young couple sat beside a large pile of belongings with nothing to carry them in. My oversized wheeled suitcase would have been perfect for them. I apologized, explaining that the single man had asked first. Leaving the suitcase with the gentleman, I went over to the couple and offered some warm clothes and a blanket I’d brought with me. They accepted them gratefully.

Back in our condo, I told my wife Lisa what happened. She immediately went to our closet and came back with another roller suitcase, one we’d been planning to keep. She said it was smaller, but maybe it would still help. Second suitcase in tow, I headed back outside.

As I approached the group, I was surprised to see the large orange suitcase next to the young couple. I turned to the man I’d given it to and asked, “Did you give them the suitcase?” He nodded. “That was very kind of you,” I said as I gave him the second case.

I walked away in amazement. That gentleman, in a desperate situation, had been sincerely excited to receive the orange suitcase. He had no idea another one was coming, yet he gave his gift away to a couple who needed it more. His generosity was far greater than mine. I returned home feeling hopeful and energized, my weariness forgotten.

Kindness is a powerful thing. When we choose to act on it, kindness facilitates a rare win-win-win: it helps the person we’re kind to. It helps others when that person pays it forward. And it helps us.

Now more than ever, it’s easy to focus on the worst in people and our world, but take hope – there is still goodness, kindness, and generosity to be found. Choose to participate in it. Be a wildflower in a snowfield, a flickering candle guiding a weary traveler home.

What small act of kindness can you do today? Maybe it’s a phone call to a lonely relative or bringing food to an elderly neighbor. It could be writing a thank you note to an essential worker or sending flowers to loved one or donating to a charity or volunteering at your local food bank. Whatever it is, push through the stress and fatigue so many of us are feeling these days and choose be kind. If you do, you’ll help make a better world for others and take another step toward Becoming Yourself.