I came home from running errands one day. I was very overstimulated. I love my children, but that day, they were being “extra.”
When I checked my mail, I found something with my name, which was unusual because my mailbox usually only contains bills. Normally, I’d toss everything on the counter and deal with it later. However, this time, I couldn’t resist the urge to see what it was.
To my surprise, it wasn’t a bill but a card.
I opened it and was genuinely touched by the sweet note inside, even though I didn’t know who it was from.
The Experiment
That card helped me for days and maybe even weeks afterward. So, a group of friends and I decided to do an experiment. We all felt the need to make someone feel loved. The experiment was to last four weeks. Once a week, we would do something nice for someone. It didn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming, just something small to help them through their day. It needed to be specifically for them, though.
There were two groups of women in the experiment. In the first one, a group of ladies who knew what was happening exchanged gifts with each other. They were paired up with another woman, and everyone was in on the experiment. In the second group, each person gave gifts to someone they chose explicitly, but the individuals receiving the presents had no clue about the experiment.
To see what happened during that month was amazing! It was a blessing to both groups.
Even though the first group all knew about the experiment, life was so busy that they were still pleasantly surprised. It made their days and sometimes their week. One even said, “I love an unexpected token of love and appreciation. I often forget how much it makes me feel good.” Another said, “I love the gifts, but the words of encouragement are the best!”
With this group, each person got to experience both sides, the giving and the receiving.
Everyone involved felt that the act of giving was what brought them the most joy, not the receiving of the gifts.
In the second group, only the person giving the gift knew what was happening, and the receiver was in the dark about the experiment. Out of the two groups, I enjoyed seeing the reactions in this one.
I had initially thought I’d only get one side of the story, but I was happily mistaken.
Every single person who received something let someone know about it. Whether directly to them, mentioned to a mutual friend, or put on social media, they thanked the person for their kindness and told them how much it meant.
Both groups helped me realize that no matter how busy life gets, showing someone kindness, even in the slightest way, could help someone more than I know.
Putting It Into Practice
I’ve tried taking this further by implementing the act of giving into my daily life. I am an introvert by nature and dislike going to large gatherings, so I try to avoid eye contact with strangers. It tends to be overwhelming to push myself out of my bubble, and I prefer to stay with my family.
After this experiment, I’ve made a point to spread kindness wherever I go, and it doesn’t cost a thing.
My personal challenge is to strike up a conversation with someone I don’t know in every place I visit and give them a sincere compliment.
One day, as I was walking into a store, I saw this beautiful little girl across the parking lot dressed up like a unicorn. As much as I dreaded yelling across the parking lot, I’m so glad I did. When she and her family heard me, they probably thought I was crazy, but that little girl’s smile was one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen. It made my day!
I challenge you all to do something like this. Make it a point to tell a stranger something nice. It could even be a simple “Have a nice day!” or “That color really looks great on you.”
It’s incredible how a tiny gesture can turn someone’s day around. Send a note to a friend, neighbor, fellow church member, or someone you’ve noticed struggling on social media. You can brighten their day by leaving some flowers as well. Publix has affordable bouquets, or you might even consider picking some from outside.
It’s incredible to see how much it helps someone else, but also how much your own heart will feel from it. I think that’s what I’m addicted to now – helping others feel better helps me so much more!
It truly is better to give than to receive!
