The kindness of strangers:

A few days ago, when travelling with 2 friends, we found ourselves stranded in the middle of Italy following a train accident, 60 km away from our airport with very little time & no way to reach our destination.

Until that is, 2 kind strangers, Gina e Paolo, scooped us up off the sidewalk, changed their route, tackled early morning autostrada traffic jams to skid to a halt at the last minute outside the terminal to watch us rush off at break-neck speed into the milling masses of commuter passengers.

 Why? Because they were good, kind charitable people!

Upon reflection I have come to understand that we received 2 benefits: first, being able to catch our flight but, secondly, and maybe even more important, was the experience of feeling deep appreciation and gratitude.

 Wikipedia definitions of kindness & gratitude:

Kindness is the act or the state of being kind, being marked by good and charitable behavior, pleasant disposition, and concern for others. It is known as a virtue, and recognized as a value in many cultures and religions

Gratitude, thankfulness, gratefulness, or appreciation is a feeling, emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive.

So, it follows that, by being kind, not only does the recipient of your kindness benefit from the act  but also from the ensuing feelings of gratitude.

In which ways can you be kind today? Which acts of kindness have you received?

THANK YOU GINA E PAOLO