There’s
a Japanese woman in my building who’s lived here as long as me. We
always say hello on the elevator but that’s about it. Her English isn’t
great so our conversations have been limited. But she always smiles and I
smile back. I don’t know her name. I do know she lives on the 4th floor
and has some sisters who come over. And, her mother comes for visits in
a wheel chair.

Today she spoke to me in a way that language didn’t matter.

She
saw me enter my building and held the elevator for me. As I thanked
her, she indicated it was her pleasure as she nodded her head at me with
a smile. She was carrying a large bulky package that she tried to keep
balanced. She’s a teeny lady, very thin and petite in every way so it
kind of overwhelmed her. Suddenly, she dug into the package and pulled
out a gorgeous yellow rose.

It wasn’t the kind sold at the corner
deli. This was a long-stemmed one with a long stalk. She smiled as she
offered it to me. I was so touched. She had no way of knowing but yellow
roses remind me of my lovely mother, who passed away years ago. As I
looked at the rose, I felt like my mother was sending me a message as
she smiled down at me from heaven.

One rose. So much
significance. The kindness in that gesture really touched me. I don’t
even know her name yet she gave me a rose that’s now sitting in a vase
on my nightstand. It was a good reminder of how wonderful a little act
of kindness can be. This woman simply reached out to a neighbor whose
name she didn’t know with a rose. One rose. So beautiful.

Small acts of kindness can have a big affect on the receiver.

What
might seem like nothing to you can make a big difference for someone
else. I will use this reminder to make more of an effort to do small,
kind things for people. While you might not recognize what something you
do does for the other person, it can mean the world. Often something
that’s so not a big deal for you to do can mean the world to someone who
needed what you did. I advise you to keep your eyes open for things you
can do to be kind to others. It will come back to you multiplied.

Plus,
just getting the warm appreciation is a gift in itself.

Pay
attention. Help someone old cross the street. Give a homeless person a
dollar. Smile at people. Ask a neighbor if she needs something at the
store you’re going to. Bring food to a sick friend. When you look, you
can find many ways to be a blessing to someone else. Try a bit of random
kindness. It can brighten your day too!

Try to do some act of kindness for everyone you encounter tomorrow. It can be as simple as a warm smile or greeting.

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