Random Act of Kindness

This random act of kindness story is a wonderful indication of the type of feelings YOU get when you decide to step out and do some acts of random kindness.

Bitten by the Bug

by Paul Battle

I had for a long time been an avid fan of Chicken Soup for the Soul. It seemed to bring out so many untapped emotions whenever I read the numerous wondrous emotional sad inspirational and spiritual stories.

During a stopover in San Francisco whilst floating through Haight-Ashbury I wandered into a used bookstore and before I knew it I was wandering out with 2 Chicken Soups for the Soul. These would make the 9 hour bus/train trip to LA a much more pleasant experience. During the day I read one and then spent a while enjoying the feelings and occasional tears that inevitably surfaced after a feed of chicken soup.

That night after checking into my hostel and walking the town as is usually my custom, I stumbled into a bookshop/coffee shop. Soon I was sitting and reading the latest Chicken Soup for Singles whilst enjoying a very soothing hot chocolate. My concentration crumbled as I heard a slight sniffle emanate from across the table from where I was sitting.

I looked up and saw a young brunette girl in her early 20's gently sobbing and wiping her eyes as she read. I looked to see what was causing all this and there she was reading Chicken Soup for Singles. I commented to her vaguely how I thought the short stories were great. - She nodded shyly and then kept reading on.

I then had the compulsion to buy the book for her and my heart and head began to thump from the anticipation of handing her my small gift. I thumbed through my pocket, realized I had just enough moolah, and made my way to the cash register hoping this young girl wouldn't leave before I had the chance to give it to her.

Like an excited child I strode over to her side, placed the plastic bag containing the book in front of her, blurted out something like "this is for you, I know you will enjoy it, and please pass it on to someone else who may like it". I heard her say "that's very sweet, thank you", but by this time I was already half way to the door, elated, buoyant and alive.

I couldn't believe how deeply happy I was at that moment. Such a small thing had made me so overwhelmingly elated and serene at the same time. I walked back to the hostel and just couldn't stop smiling. I never realized how thrilling and exciting a random act of kindness could be. I have been on the receiving end on one or two occasions and had always hoped to repay them one day. The way I felt tonight, I hope there are many more.

Is giving like this a selfish act because you can't help but feel like a king when you give someone a present... I've got the bug for random acts of kindness thanks to Chicken Soup.



Personal Development Home from Random Act of Kindness