Thankful Thursday - Promise to Myself

"I made a promise to myself to be kinder to other people." Lena Horne.

Some people have stepped into my life for a period of time who weren't what I thought them to be. They left my heart empty and reeling. But they are so few in number that the promise I made to myself a long time ago stands...the promise to be kind, to never use or abuse anyone for my own purpose....the promise to go the extra mile and be to others what I like them to be to me.

I've had good models....people who showed me the power in being kind...power that changes people from the inside out because it throws light in their world and also in mine. Their kindness is what motivates me to pay it forward wherever and whenever I can. 

And I learned that the kindness I give out, always comes back in big ways and in small. The other day I was in the grocery store when a woman came up to me and stood staring at me.  
What I asked. 
She didn't say a word. Just held up a set of keys. 
I looked at them, then at her. 
Oh my gosh, my daughter's car keys. That woman saw me drop them in the parking lot, ran to retrieve them and then searched the store for me. Kindness. Going the extra mile. 

I turned around to a woman putting some green grapes into her cart. Hey try one of these. I held up the purple ones. She plucked one off and a smile lit up her face. Much sweeter. I'm definitely getting these. Kindness. It's looking out for others. 

A cop pulled me over early one morning. I was prepared to pay a ticket for something or other I had done. She asked me if I was alright. The sun is very bright, makes it hard to see, she said. I wanted to make sure you're okay. And I wanted to tell you to have a great day.
That's it?  
Yep.

Came home feeling on top of the world. Kindness. It does that to you...makes you feel like life's worth living. Kindness....it's like a boomerang. You throw it out and it'll always come back to you. 
Happy Thursday, Guys.