I had to turn off Tweetdeck this morning. I do that when things get too political, and I don’t just mean government. I mean anything that there are strong opposing factions about who start slinging around negativity.

It’s not that I ignore the news, it’s just that sometimes people’s reactions make me so sad. Do you really want to sink to the level of the people who did something so terrible it upset you that deeply? Cliche, I know, but do you really want to become like them in order to prove they were wrong?

Okay, enough being vague. There’s this little coffee place where I stop at least a couple times a week before work. It’s only a couple blocks from the office, and the people are always nice, and I finally have ‘a usual’ drink 😀

On the corner next to the coffee shop, sometimes there’s someone pandhandling. I know, not all of these people are in need and are just taking advantage of kindness, and I know a lot of people would rather ignore the beggers, but this is a small city and it’s not something I encounter often, and as long as they’re not harassing me, it doesn’t hurt me to share.

There was a woman this morning whose sign said something about being older, disabled, out of work, being evicted…long sign, I didn’t read it all. But since it’s pay day and I was feeling rich (for the next two hours till I pay my bills :-D), I gave her some money.

And she was so grateful for something that to me just means I go without the latte for a couple of days (oh noes, poor spoiled me might have to get off my lazy butt and make coffee at home more often :-P). She was thanking me, and talking about how embarassed she was to have to do such a thing, and thanking me. And maybe she was just a really amazing actress and I was had, but this woman’s gratitude seemed so genuine and real.

I see that, and then I see all the death, and sadness, and vitrol in the news, and…I know the people stopping by to read this are all kind, compassionate people. And what does it hurt to do something nice for someone?

I’m not suggesting everyone go out and hand cash to the first panhandler they meet, but doing something small to make someone else’s day might make yours as well. Give a genuine smile and thank you to the next person who serves you (fast food, grocery store, book store, something), hold the door for the parent with a small brood of children, drop your change in the tip jar on the register, be genuine and listen to the answer next time you ask someone how they’re doing.

I think a lot of us do these things anyway, but pay a hint more attention next time, and make it more conscious, and let someone else’s return smile make your day a little brighter.

/Steps off soapbox