“Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: it must be produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all.” William Faulkner
As a volunteer for the Salvation Army, Joy was ringing the bell and handing out candy canes to all the passersby. She had a lot of extra candy at the end of her shift and decided to spread some additional holiday cheer.
Joy shares, “I filled my pockets with the candy canes, and as I shopped the store, I handed one to each employee that I saw and just simply said “Thanks for all your hard work. Merry Christmas.” Oh my gosh, you would have thought I gave them $1000! The expressions of surprise, gratitude, and astonishment that someone would say that to them was unreal.
“Since that I day I don’t go anywhere without a pocket or purse full. I have story after story to tell of the hugs and tears I have received from the recipients. It’s amazing what something so little can make such a big impact.”
Joy’s example shows that we don’t have to spend a lot of money to make someone’s day. An unexpected, kind gesture not only brightens up another person’s day; there’s a good chance that the person you cheered up will be inspired to bring a smile to someone else. Like the Energizer Bunny, the good feeling keeps “going and going…”
PS – How can you start a chain of good feelings today?