On Random Acts of Kindness

I’ve been a little disoriented with the world lately. Maybe it’s the time of year - everyone is out all the time, consumerism is at an all time high, and it seems that people are rarely polite. I’ve also been stressed with work and in turn, life. So, sometimes it’s like I’m floating through the days, not fully present and mostly annoyed with society. 

This morning, I’m sitting at St. Simon Coffee in Portland, OR. It’s the quaintest, friendliest and truly warm coffee shop that I know. There’s something about this place where you transcend to the friendship level with the baristas, who happen to be brothers and co-owners of the business. They make it like Cheers - you’re welcomed, they know you, you know them and they genuinely care. I’m not making an ad for this place by the way - I’m not a regular but they’re always nice and I am an observer at all the interactions that unfold in front of me. 

They were chatting with two gentleman while a regular walked in and she told them it was her birthday. Most people would have just said happy birthday and thought nothing of it. One of the gentleman bought whatever she wanted to celebrate. She asked his name and shook his hand and they became acquaintances right then and there. Not merely strangers that we are so often to one another. They weren’t afraid to talk to each other, to meet each other, to share in a moment of humanity. It was such an encouragement to my day and recent outlook, and we need little things like that.