Today's testimonial is awesome! It comes from Miss Elly of New Zealand, and it wonderfully illustrates the power of paying it forward.
On Sunday I had to drop some stuff off at Sibling’s work. This wouldn’t be so bad if Sibling worked anywhere else but where she does (ie, Middle of Town, with no free carparking within walking distance, and prowly Parking Wardens around every corner). So, hoping for less carparking drama and some form of swiftness, I parked in a public carpark that you have to pay $8 an hour for.
Lucky for me, as I got out to pay for a ticket a women approached me, and asked if I’d like her ticket as she was leaving. A ticket which was paid up till 6am the next morning.
I thanked her, and took her ticket and was astonished (and grateful) for her generosity.I locked up my car, left the ticket on the dash and rushed off to do my thing. Just like I expected, dropping Siblings things off took all of ten minutes, and I was back to my car in no time. Just as I was about to leave, another car pulled in. I waited till the gentlemen got out, and approached him as he went to go buy himself a ticket.
I offered him my ticket. He, like I was with the woman before me, was a little flustery, and super grateful. He even offered to pay for some of it, and when I said that another lady had given ME the ticket free of charge, and I was just paying it forward, he held my hand to tell me how lovely it was that I was doing so.
He said that it wasn’t often that people display such random acts of kindness, wasn’t I such a lovely soul for passing on something that was given to me.
His praise took me back a bit, I didn’t do it for the praise, no matter how heartfelt he was. But the grin he walked away with? That was pretty damn rewarding.
I don’t doubt that when he was done with his ticket, that he gave it to someone else. Paying it forward seems to be a pretty awesome thing to do. :)
This reminds me of a few times in my own life. Someone did the same thing for me a few years ago. I had to run into a store in downtown Philadelphia, and the section where I parked had just implemented a new ticket system for parking. I was befuddled! As I tried to read the directions on the kiosk, a woman wandered up to me and offered her ticket, which still had a good hour left. I was so grateful!
Also, there have been a few times when traveling where my husband and I bought all-day subway passes. I believe it was Washington DC and Boston. When we were finished for the day, usually by 5 pm because we're early birds, we always handed off the cards to someone else. Oh, and if you work for the department of transportation for either of those two cities, I'm sorry. :)
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13 comments:
Love the testimonial! So inspiring to read. Thank you for posting it! :)
Been there! Done that! Sooooo rewarding!
haha, I DO work for a public transportation company.... and there's quite a biz selling day passes/passing them off...we lose a lot of cash for it too. Just remember its your tax dollars at work. It will come around eventually.
But I do always feel so nice when I pass off my parking card -- I see that differently because its a private parking lot company -- but maybe I shouldn't!
Elly! I'm so glad you sent in your story ^_^ It's so NICE!
Loved This!!
Natalie - I just KNEW there'd be someone here who worked for public transportation! :) Okay, I'll think twice about "cheating" the system.
Awwwww... I love this. I have never bought an all-day parking pass before, but when I do, I will be sure to remember this story!
At least you weren't making money off the ticket. You were just doing a lovely thing for a stranger. Great story!
Oh! Thanks all for the lovely comments. :)
This is a really easy way to make someone's day!
Great blog! I love those "pay it forward" commercials, they remind me of the power and strength a little kindess can have and how it can spread. And possibly that man did the same for someone else that day. Very powerful.
Just found your site by following threads and I am so glad that I did. What a lovely concept you have launched here. In my tradition we call what you are advocating, "lovingkindnesss." My highest hope for myself is that I will live gently and kindly with myself and others. If we all adopted that stance toward one another, I cannot imagine how different the world would be. Compassion is key. Blessings to you on your good work!
Love your site. I posted the badge..... Hope to pass on some niceness today....
KAREN EILEEN
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