Helping those in need. At the mall.
Feb 14
Man, I am feeling some GOOD energy right now from being so GOOD! OK, I’ve not been THAT good. I’ve actually just been my normal bitchy self but with a couple dashes of niceness thrown in for a change. Hey, that’s better than nothing. Barely.
The first two days of #40GoodDays have been a success, albeit interesting. I’m trying to let opportunities arise naturally to help others or do something nice, but I never counted on my attempts failing. Case in point: Yesterday morning, I took Simon to school and it was raining. I looked down and noticed that I had not one but THREE umbrellas in my car (it’s a good thing my husband shaves his head or I bet he would have been PISSED! LOL! HAHAHAHAHAHA! I suck.). As I drove home, I saw several people along the way waiting for the city bus, and none of them had umbrellas. LIGHTBULB! I’ll offer someone an umbrella! I AM SO NICE!!!
I was looking for the right opportunity in traffic, and was quickly running out of options. And then, lo and behold, as I had just about given up and was about to turn onto my street, there stood a man, who I assume was waiting for the bus (I don’t live near a bus stop, but the bus does drive by I guess. Or maybe he was a murderer, who knows.) There were no cars behind me, so I turned onto my street, rolled down my window and ever-so-nicely said “Hi! I just noticed I have three umbrellas in my car today, isn’t that funny? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! awkward giggle would you like one? I’d hate for you to be cold and wet all day!” In hindsight, that was a pretty weird way to approach someone at 8:30 in the morning, but I don’t question the signs, people!
Anyway, he politely refused and I drove away, a bit dejected. Did that count as a good deed? It didn’t feel like one. But I can’t control what others do, so it’s the thought that counts, right?
Ugh.
So I tried again. And this time it worked. I think.
I had the day to myself and had some things to return at Banana Republic (took a risk on some jeans. Big mistake.). I don’t normally shop at that store, so I was hoping to get some cash to go blow on something I really needed. Sephora, obvs. Anywho, for whatever reason, they gave me a store credit. So much for karma, right? GOD, my life SUCKS. I somehow make myself go hit the sale racks to spend this money on things I can’t afford, and I am lucky enough to find a couple of shirts on sale that were within the limit of my return. (I know you guys are riveted. I promise there is a point coming.) The nice girl rings me up, and tells me I have about $10 left on my gift card. And we all know that finding something for $10 at the Banana is laughable. And then BAM! A good deed!!
Those poor, poor people.
I told the girl to keep the gift card and to please apply it to the next person’s purchase, and just tell them to pay it forward. She praised me, I grinned and left the store, feeling all good and spontaneous and then was like “WAY TO DONATE TO THE POOR UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE WHO ARE FORCED TO SHOP AT BANANA REPUBLIC MORON.”
I literally stopped in the mall to think. Was that stupid? Did that count? I just donated a few bucks to a high-end store primarily servicing professionals. Not exactly United Way. Did I squander my good deed on someone who doesn’t need it?
I hope not. Actually, I hope this really worked well.
It dawned on me that only giving to those that I deem “needy” is actually pretty condescending. First of all, besides the obvious choice of volunteering at a homeless shelter, just looking at someone and thinking “I could help them!” is kind of an asshole thing to do. Instead, maybe this random act at a not-so-obvious location is the exact RIGHT way to do this. Because ultimately, this isn’t about what I DO, it’s about INSPIRING OTHERS like I’ve been inspired. It’s about paying it forward, putting good out there, just being freaking NICE for once. And EVERYONE can benefit from that.
Coincidentally, last night after the gym, I stopped for gas, and as soon as I got out of the car, the lady in front of me asked me for help. She had a broken hand and couldn’t get the gas cap on. I helped her, of course, and thought “Good, I have an insurance policy in case the next person in line at the Banana is a total bitch.”
Head over to the Domestic Disturbia Facebook page , find me on Instagram by searching for Hayden1222 or Tweet to me@hayden1222 with hashtag #40GoodDays to share your ideas or your good deeds! This isn’t to brag (but hell yea, brag!! You deserve to!) but to inspire others.
