Contagious Acts of Kindness: Servant Leadership at 7 AM

             Cynthia Watson, one of the executive leaders in our Virtual Servant Leadership Learning Community, shared a story of a morning recently when she was feeling very peaceful while in line at Starbucks when a person stepped in front of her. Not wanting to confront the person, she continued to enjoy her state of being at peace with the world.

            When it was her turn to order coffee, the barista told her that her order was already paid. Surprised by this, when Cynthia asked by whom, the barista told her by the person ahead of her.  He confessed that he had broken in line rushing to another appointment and she graciously said nothing. He wanted to thank her by paying for her order.

            She noted how contagious a simple act of kindness can be. This is another trait of service through personal genius. Hospitality, creativity, being at peace with the world, making space for others and affirming them and their needs are all opportunities to make a difference.

*FYI – Liberty Mutual runs the series of commercials where people help out one another.  Most of the commercials show someone observing people helping each other and then the observer helps someone else.  It is interesting because it isn’t a direct chain and emphasizes that one never knows where the ripples of one’s actions (positive or negative) will go.  So what will you choose to do today to plant the seed of compassion, empathy and nurturing the best in those around you.  This certainly seems to validate the quote from Mahatma Gandhi, “We must be the change we want to see in the world.”