Random Acts of Kindness: The Inspiration For This Blog

Throughout my life, my parents have served as examples of who I wanted to become. They tirelessly helped those in need and put others before themselves every single time the opportunity arose. They encouraged their children to go out and change the world for the better, whether the contributions were great or small.

I remember watching these two people changing the world for the better while the world looked on. While they gave all they could, I was also watching people who did not. I saw those who found volunteering to be a waste of their precious time. I saw people who used donations as a simple tax write-off. I watched this and I made the decision to try to live my life the way my parents always have. In fact, it was my parents who showed me the story of The Starfish to begin with. Their encouragement and compassion has always inspired me.

One memory that has always stuck with me is one from a time when I was about 4 or 5 years old. It was a cold night when my mother, father, brother and I were headed into a restaurant to eat. Outside, we saw a homeless man leaning against the wall asking for money for food. Instead of waving him off or simply handing him a dollar, my parents invited him to come and sit down to eat with us. Although he was surprised at the offer, he agreed and joined us. We were so busy listening to him tell amusing stories that I never noticed my father slip out. After a few minutes he returned carrying a bag, which I thought nothing of at the time. After we finished our meal, the man thanked my parents for about the hundredth time and we headed out the door. Outside, my father handed him the bag which contained a winter coat. I will never forget the look on the man's face...His eyes welled with tears and he thanked my parents over and over. My parents just smiled. Without another word we got into our car and went home. We never saw the man again and my parents never mentioned what they had done for him. It was something that came naturally to them. Someone was in need and they did what they were supposed to do, they helped him. Although it was a small act of kindness, I have never forgotten it. Today anytime I feel like giving up, when I get frustrated about being one person and feel as though I will never make a big enough impact, I remember the look on the man's face when my father handed him the coat. Like magic, a new kind of confidence and energy comes back to me. I remember that it doesn't take an enormous gesture to make a difference. It takes one little act of compassion and love at a time. Sometimes the biggest changes come from quietly and humbly serving others. It simply takes perseverance, dedication and a willingness to be an agent of change.

My hope for all of you is that you go out and change this world for the better in any way that you can. Remember that no action is too small. Remember that there are children out there who are watching you too, be they your nieces, nephews, sons, daughters, or even neighbors. Remember that what they see in you will someday impact their decisions on the kind of people they want to become. My hope is that you will show them how to be the kind of people who dedicate their lives to helping...one starfish at a time...