Random Acts of Kindness
Often times when you speak with travelers who experience many different cultures, there will be a common thread sprinkled throughout their stories. They undoubtedly will tell you stories about adventure, happy mistakes they made, or getting on the wrong bus or train that led them to the most amazing place. However, the stories that touch us most are the stories filled with random acts of kindness.
Random Acts of Kindness
I was recently watching a show on t.v. and one of the lead characters stated that her father told her to do something kind for someone every day as a way to get over being shy. It really struck me because most of us in our everyday lives do not encounter random acts of kindness. We usually are so focused on ourselves that much of the time kindness from strangers is taken for granted.
Einstein was once quoted saying, "The most important question you can ever ask is if the Universe is a friendly place?"
I believe it is. How do I know this to be so? Well simple really. It is from the continuous random acts of kindness I see and receive from others during my travels. And often these random acts of kindness are done by complete strangers.
Random Acts of Kindness: How it began
I was shopping along Monkey Forest Road in Ubud, Bali when I came across some beautiful handmade clutches. They were stunning and made of woven palm leaves. When I saw the purses I was completely focused on them not really noticing the woman, Yanti, who was sitting outside the shop. She came up to me just as excited as I was and wanted to show me her selection, inviting me inside to take a look. She pulled out a box filled with every color of the rainbow. Now I am sure you are thinking, what does this have to do with random acts of kindness? Well, keep reading and you will see.
I spent all of about 15 minutes with Yanti in the shop on Monkey Forest Road. (Please note the time.) I made my purchase and we became Facebook buddies before I left. A few days went by and I received a message from Yanti. She asked when I was leaving and I told her in a few days time. She then said something I thought to be a bit odd but she insisted I stop by her shop before I leave. I told her I would and we made the arrangements to meet.
Random Acts of Kindness: A gift from a stranger
It was the day before I was set to leave Bali, I made my last trek into town and stopped by Yanti's shop that afternoon. I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I had no idea why she wanted to see me before I left. She invited me in and asked me to sit down on the cool tile floor. It was a welcome relief from the outside heat. She grabbed her bag and that's when it happened- a random act of kindness- a gift from a stranger.
She had been traveling a month earlier in Lombok, an island near by Bali. During her travels there she had purchased some beautiful pearl necklaces. Knowing that I had a deep love for fashion, she brought me two of her favored necklaces she had brought back with her and gave them to me as a gift to remember her by. Can you believe that? I barely knew her yet she gave me a precious gift she truly cherished without asking anything in return.
Yanti is not rich, she works very hard, 7 days a week. Bali is a place of beauty but often times that beauty is skewed by politics and corruption. It's not an easy life she lives, especially for a woman in Indonesia, but she still has a spirit and excitement for life that is contagious. She gave me more than a present that day, she opened herself up to being vulnerable to a complete stranger, and that I will forever cherish.
After some tears, I thanked her, we hugged, and said our goodbyes. As I walked away, I was struck by the random act of kindness I just had received from Yanti. Never before have I been given such a treasured gift from a stranger.
Random Acts of Kindness: The Proof
It made me reflect on how many random acts of kindness I have received over my life time. Much to my surprise, many, if not 95% of them have been during my travels around the world. Instances such as the help from a grandmother on a train in Argentina after my wallet was stolen, to a man in Morocco taking the time out of his day to take my friend and I to the spice market, to a woman in Peru loaning me her bed to lay my weary head, and a private city tour in Colombia by a wonderful and giving man.
Every place I go I continue to be shown just how friendly this world is. And the most surprising random acts of kindness are from places where people insist are too dangerous to travel alone. So not only can I emphatically say yes to Einstein's question; I most certainly can prove through my experiences that the universe is indeed a friendly place!
Have you ever experienced random acts of kindness while at home or traveling abroad? I would love hear all about it! Tell me your story in the comments below. Let's make a point to continue to do one kind act a day for someone and really make this world a friendly place!
If you would like to learn about another act of kindness form a stranger check this post out from Morocco:
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Unfortunately very few! Usually, as a white person, people just see a walking dollar sign and try to extract money out of me/scam me at every turn. Even giving me false information and then expecting money to put me back on the right path (or for giving me directions when I asked). I always try to be kind to others, and never take advantage of others. My experiences make me seek out travellers looking confused or lost to help them. So I suppose something positive has come of it… I’m very happy for you though, that you have had such positive experiences!
I’m so sorry to hear that you have not had many positive experiences. I hope that will change! I think you’re right in that it has allowed you to see a different perspective and pay your kindness forward to other travelers! I think that is amazing. Sending you lots of positive experiences and gratitude. And thank you for your thoughtful comment!