Acts of Kindness...

A commitment to myself this year is, that where possible, I will do a good deed or random act of kindness daily. Recently before I could even get out of my parked car, a young man (39) approached trying to get my attention through my passenger window. I was parked and talking on the phone. I let the window down wondering who he was and what he wanted. He wanted me to know that he was hungry and asked if I could help him. I told him to allow that I finish my phone conversation...

As I walked into Negril on Georgia Ave, one of my favorite eateries while a student at Howard, I told him I would buy him some rice and peas that also comes with a salad. I would have bought him a nice hot meal. He responded by saying "so you won't give me money?" To which I responded no, you said you were hungry. Incredibly, he then asked if could I instead please buy him McDonalds, which is directly across the street. At least he said please... I wrinkled my brow and looked at him in amazement, did not respond and walked in the restaurant. He did not follow.

My first thought was to buy him what I wanted him to have. How dare he tell me what he wanted. Then I questioned my motive. Was it to help and be kind or was it to satisfy some need of my own? Hell, I was gonna' buy him dinner no matter so what did I care what he ate? I took my ego out of it and bought the guy Mickey D's! Of course I engaged him in conversation, told him that most would not take kindly to his choosy begging, if you will, and asked how he got where he is and what was his plan to make a change in his life... At the end of the day, a hungry man got a meal, hopefully a meal that made him happy and I got to be kind. Isn't that what its really all about? But for the grace of God...

Happy Sunday Folks!!!