3 Reasons to be Kind and the Story of Deputy William Haley

Photo of "Be Kind" written in chalk.

It happens thousands of times every day. Police officers extend countless acts of kindness. 

They buy coats for homeless people in winter. 

They buy Christmas presents for disadvantaged kids who otherwise would have nothing on Christmas Day. 

One New York City police officer was "caught" buying boots for a homeless man who had no shoes.

Enter the search term in Google, "police buy homeless man lunch" and more than 18 million entries show up.

What do most of these stories have in common? They rarely get told. These acts of kindness aren't "news" to mainstream media.

Yet, every now and then these acts of kindness get noticed - and a tiny number get celebrated.

A few days ago Elizabeth McClain and her friend Patti Walker were on lunch break when they noticed a deputy sheriff sharing lunch with a homeless man. 

Deputy William Haley's Act of Kindness

Deputy William Haley of the Madison County, Tennessee Sheriff's office saw a homeless man beside an onramp to Interstate 40. Deputy Haley drove to the nearest McDonald's and purchased two cheeseburgers and other food. He took it back to the homeless man and gave him the food.

But he did more. He prayed with the man and joined him for the meal.

As Deputy Haley said in an interview, 

"That's something I do if I see someone in need and I'm able to help."

Picture of Kindness

Here, Elizabeth and her friend enter the picture. Literally. 

They take a photograph of Deputy Haley eating and talking with the homeless man and post it on Facebook.

And it goes viral...

As the photo and description spread, some in the news media decided there was a story to be told. 

In one interview, Haley said,

“It would’ve been OK for me to give him some food and driven off, but how long do you think it had been since someone sat down with him, shook his hand, prayed over a meal with him and asked him how he was doing?"

And so his act of kindness is being recognized by thousands of people.

Why Being Kind Matters

Engaging in random acts of kindness matters. It matters to those who are helped and it matters to those who offer those acts to others.

Why?

First, when we help others we are tapping into our core sense of love and connection as we affirm we care about - and for - others for no reason other than it's who we truly are.

Second, it feels good to be kind. It creates a sense of warmth because we choose to help someone else.

Third, it's the right thing to do. 

Spiritually, we know that truth. But in our hectic day-to-day lives we're so absorbed in problems and activities that our faint voice of spirit is too often lost in daily noise.

Will You Be Celebrated for Random Acts of Kindness?

Will You Be Recognized Like Deputy Haley?

Probably not. Does it matter? I hope not.

In this polarized world, I hope you find it in your heart to make kindness a priority. 

For me, Deputy Haley's story is a reminder I can do more...

And I plan on doing more everyday to make our world a better place one kind act at a time.

Stephen Carter

Stress Solutions, LLC | www.EFT-MD.com | Podcast: www.MindOverStress.us

How Going Above and Beyond Creates a Happier You and a Better World

I recently was touched by two Safeway Food Store people who went "above and beyond" to make my world - and this world - a better place. 

You'll meet both of these lovely people in this post. In addition, one of these people is featured in our most recent, "Make the World a Better Place" podcast episode. You can listen to that special episode at the end of this post.

Let's meet our "Above and Beyond" stars:

In our most recent episode of, "Make the World a Better Place" podcast, you'll meet a young Safeway Food checkout cashier who did exactly that. You can listen to that podcast episode below.

You'll also read below about an older gentleman who works in that same store's bakery who, a few weeks earlier, also went "above and beyond" and what you and I can learn about the power of "above and beyond" to create happiness and - yes - a truly better world.

The Safeway Shopping Story

Yesterday after entering a Safeway Food store to do some shopping, I first stopped by the bread section to purchase a special tasty Rosemary bread they bake in their stores. 

I made my selection and took it to the bread department's counter to have it sliced. There, I saw an employee I had talked with a few weeks earlier. 

During that earlier visit, this gentleman had gone "above and beyond". He was the only person in the department at the time. When I asked if he would slice the bread, he replied he was off the clock. He added he had stayed late on his own time to finish up some work he hadn't had a chance to finish during his working hours.

I said, "No problem", but something told me to continue our conversation. Over the next five minutes, I learned he was a retired auditor from a major city government and was working at Safeway part-time to keep busy. 

He also spent 10-years in the U.S. Army serving in several war zones. Tears started to fill his eyes when he told me about losing his wife to cancer just a year earlier. 

"I work", he said, "to keep my mind busy so I don't dwell on my lovely wife."

As we talked, he asked me to hand him the bread, which he deftly put through the slicer. As he handed back the now sliced bread, we finished our conversation and I continued shopping.

Fast Forward to This New Shopping Day

Fast forward to this second meeting. We again had a wonderful conversation as he completed the bread slicing task. We again talked briefly about his wife, but he seemed to be in much better spirits as he explained what household tasks he would be doing over his coming two days off.

After finishing our conversation, I moved on to the Deli section where I purchased turkey and ham. The lady behind the counter was smiling and pleasant.

The Problem Discovered

Having finished my shopping, I walked to the checkout area. As I placed my items on the belt, I noticed the tab that was supposed to slide and lock the baggie closed wasn't working. You couldn't close the plastic baggie to keep the turkey deli meat secure.

The cashier - a young lady about 19 years old - greeted me as she activated the belt to bring the items up for checkout. I mentioned we need to be careful about placing the meat plastic baggie in the checkout bag and pointed to the malfunctioning tab

She picked up the baggie, looked at the tab, and said, "Hm". She proceeded to test the closing tab a couple of times with no luck. She worked on the tab for about 20 or 30 seconds and then slid the tab to close the baggie. 

"Yes!" she proclaimed with a big grin.

I complemented the cashier, telling her how much I appreciate her persistence and willingness to fix the problem. Her face beamed as she said, "Thank you!".

"A small thing", you may say. And indeed it is. But she could have simply folded the plastic baggie over and put it in a grocery bag. 

The Power of "Above and Beyond"

Both of these two people - different in age and gender - are beautiful examples of how simple acts of kindness can change the emotions and energy for the better of those they touch. 

But here's another truth: going above and beyond creates positive emotions and energy for those who themselves go above and beyond. Going above and beyond is the gift that keeps on giving.

Actions that go above and beyond can be small and simple. Like the "Butterfly Effect", we may never know how our own above and beyond actions affect one person in the short term or thousands of people in the long term. It doesn't matter. Going above and beyond creates its own positive reward within the actor and the audience.

For me, I'm inspired to look for more ways to go above and beyond to help others every day. 

I hope you will join me.

Blessings and light,

Steve Carter | Stress Solutions, LLC | www.EFT-MD.com

"Make the World a Better Place" Podcast Episode:

If you don't see the player, click this direct listening URL link: http://bit.ly/2AEdrS1

P.S. To listen to other positive podcasts, visit http://MindOverStress.us 

Random Acts of Kindness Change You - and the World!

Yesterday I happened to stop by a Baltimore City McDonald's to get a cup of coffee. Rain was falling and the wind was brisk, so I hurried toward the door.

As I approached the building, I noticed a mostly empty can of cat food someone had left about 20 feet from the entrance. 

This act of kitty kindness caused me to stop and give a tip of my hat to the unknown person who cared enough about the well-being of one or more stray cats to provide food. It was simply a random act of kindness.

Seeing the evidence of that stranger's random act of kindness was touching. Even more important, I was reminded that I too have opportunities every day to make this world a better, happier place. 

We all in fact have opportunities to practice random acts of kindness. Offering a smile to someone you pass on the street; allowing another motorist to pull ahead of you in traffic; buying a cup of coffee or even a meal for someone homeless are just three examples.

I encourage you to offer random acts of kindness today - and tomorrow. These acts change your chemistry and feelings for the better...

They also change the world.

Blessings,

Steve

Stephen Carter Stress Solutions, LLC p:804-677-6772 | e:CarterMethod@gmail.com | w:http://www.EFT-MD.com

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