A few weeks ago, my friend wrote a blog post about things she would like for her birthday. It was difficult for her to write as she is not used to asking for things…
Image found here: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e1oOnYHfgco/Su-ahXj50wI/AAAAAAAAAuo/I99vyJGHbIY/s400/birthday+collage.JPG
One of the things on her list was for someone to do a random act of kindness for her birthday.
“YIPEE” I thought when I read her post. ”I LOVE doing those!!! I will do one in her name.”
My heart sank a little when I remembered that I didn’t have money to maybe buy the person behind me in line coffee or I don’t go to the laundry mat for clothes hygiene anymore, so I couldn’t put change in the machine for the next patron… oh, and there are no homeless people hanging around the area I am staying in MN… so there is no one to give to.
Then I relaxed my thoughts and remembered that there are plenty of other ways to be kind to people and that I would remain open to whatever presented itself on May 10.
Little did I know that the Universe was conspiring to bless me with an unexpected donation on my blog. A person I never met and as far as I know am not connected to in any way made a very kind one- hundred dollar random act of kindness to me, which I found just after reading my friends post about her birthday wishes.
YAY!
It has long been my goal to pay forward or tithe 10 percent of whatever money comes in to someone who inspires me. (I fell in love with the idea when a friend sent me 10 percent of her monthly income a few years ago with a letter stating, “As part of my new spiritual practice, I am donating 10 percent of my monthly income to someone who inspires me…”) Unfortunately, income that comes to me is usually in such random and quick spurts that I hardly find the time to figure out a good working system for tithing, so I usually just try to give when the opportunity arises.
Long story short, I decided that I would be happy to tithe 10 percent of this donation to someone who inspires ME! Yay! Naturally, my friend and her birthday are a worthy cause.
I met Teresa in LA and we had a lovely connection. She is always so positive and supportive and really easy to talk to. When I told her about my new travels, she was genuinely excited for me and even after my LONG day of Valentines flower deliveries, she listened intently about my day and 14 hours of getting lost, delivering happiness etc and at the end of it all, she offered me dinner (A very tasty Japanese meal).
So today at work (I forgot yesterday, but figured somewhere in the world it was still May 10), I pulled ten dollars out of my bag and had every intention of randomly paying for someone’s lunch (I work at a cafe here in MN). I kept my eyes and heart open to find the right person to be my victim which I would unexpectedly ambush with kindness.
I approached a middle-aged man and said, “Yesterday was my friend’s birthday and she asked that as a gift I perform a random act of kindness, so may I buy your lunch in Teresa’s name?” He asked me to repeat myself…. so I did. He smiled and blushed, “Wow! What a neat idea! I’ve never had someone do something like this before.” He smiled and we both giggled as I paid $5.31 for his bowl of soup….
Still approximately five dollars to give…..
Later, there was a woman who brought her friend to the cafe for a birthday lunch and she pulled me aside to ask if we did anything special for birthdays. Unfortunately , we don’t but I quickly saw that it was a BRILLIANT opportunity to give again.
As they were finishing up their lunches, I brought out a slice of chocolaty delight which I had purchased and said, “Yesterday was my friend Teresa’s birthday and she asked that I perform a random act of kindness to celebrate… so on Teresa’s behalf, Happy Birthday!!!”
They giggled and smiled and said, “Make sure you thank Teresa for us.. what a neat idea… and thank YOU!”
Happy Birthday Teresa! Thanks for providing me with inspiration to give and thank you for believing in my journey! Thank you person who made a donation to my blog, I am elated to have that money for travels at this point and I feel so blessed that I finally had an opportunity to consciously tithe a portion of income to someone who inspires me. Thank you friend who planted this absolutely delicious idea in my head a few years ago!
Thank you!
Currie! You are such a beautiful, loving spirit! Thank you for the wonderful gift that is your generosity and fearless approach to life. You’re such an inspiration to me and I’m so grateful to have you in my life.
Congratulations on the anonymous donation and on paying it forward so brilliantly! I miss you!
hi currie,i see myself in you,i love giving and doing kindness,since i was in the Phiippines im also doing it naturally coz i love to share the blessing that GOD has given me.now im here in california,and i really miss doing it again.thank you so much for such a brilliant idea.by the way i want to make friends with you if you have time,heres my email add,kristiples@yahoo.com.GOD BLESS!
Kris
Thank you so very much for your comment.
It’s so cool that you love sharing what you have so freely… I hope you experience many happy and unexpected returns of your generous kindness. 
Awww! You’re welcome and Thank YOU! You inspire me too and I can’t wait till our paths cross again.
I love this idea Currie! Thanks for sharing! I’ve got my 50th coming up and may do this for mine.
Coooooooooooool.
I’ma try that for my bday this year.
Thank you! Please do! I did it for my birthday this past year and it was so rewarding. In fact, that morning, as I was treating myself to some fancy coffee, I bought myself another present… I paid for the guys order (well half of it) behind me and told him it was my b day present to myself. He thought it was odd and tried to buy my drink, but I insisted and he allowed me. I like doing it because I feel it inspires people to see the gift that is the act of giving.