So, this week I’ve been challenging everyone to perform random acts of kindness daily. Little did I know when I started this challenge how many random acts of kindness would come my way. Although I wasn’t planning to post until next week, this story is so inspiring, I wanted to share it.
Last night, my daughter Jessica flew in from Salt Lake City where she interviewed to become an anesthesia resident to St.Louis to interview tomorrow for an anesthesia residency position at Washington University. Her flight was on time but her luggage didn’t arrive. All her interview clothes were in her luggage and it became clear that it might not get here on time.
Now Jessica is the kind of person who plans out every detail of her life and this did not sit well with her. Instead of relaxing Sunday as planned, we rushed to the mall after breakfast to look for a new suit and then shop for shoes. That’s when the kindnesses and grace began. At Banana Republic, a wonderful salesperson named Sheena, found a suit and blouse for her in less that 30-minutes. A blessing indeed. At DSW, she tried on two pair of shoes and the second pair fit and looked great. Another positive experience under difficult conditions.
But, it didn’t end there. When we got back to my house, Jessica got an email that Washington University scheduled her interview for Nov. 27 not Nov. 20. In under an hour, that situation got straightened out and she is interviewing tomorrow.
When I asked Jessica what she learned from these experiences, she said “Sometimes life sucks but it can turn out better than you imagine.” In my words, experience is always changing and when we think we’ve hit rock bottom, sometimes wonderful things begin to happen. Kindnesses we don’t expect. Grace we don’t anticipate. We never know what’s going to happen next.
In his poem The Guest House, the Persian poet Rumi says to welcome each experience in life whatever they bring. “Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.” Have a good week and a Happy Thanksgiving. Namaste.
Click here to learn more about Mindfulness at Washington University in St.Louis
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