Today, I needed to mail a package. So I drove to the post office, got out of the car, and realized I had left all of my spare change at home. After I had sighed, scuffed my feet on the pavement and been all angsty with myself, I trudged over to the parking meter where, much to my delight, there were 12 minutes left on the parking meter – more than enough time for me to mail my package!
Instead of going straight to the post office, though, I was hit with a revelation – this was an opportunity for me to PAY IT FORWARD!!! Because someone had contributed an extra 25 cents for me to park for free, I wanted to spread the love, so I ran into a bakery down the street to buy, naturally, some smiley faced cookies to send in my package:
Then, when I got to the post office, the postman who rang me out was super friendly, smiled at me, and took the time to ask how I was before weighing my package and sending me on my way. I then smiled at three people on the street on my way to the car. And felt warm and fuzzy the rest of the day – there is DEFINITELY something to the whole “living for other people instead of yourself” thing.
Like it’s written in the Bible, 2 Corinthians 9, the “Cheerful Giver” passage:
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
So GO – give yourself away! You might find happiness – and maybe, good tasting cookies – in the process.