There is a banana

This made my day. I was aggravated this morning. I was sitting in my coworker's office and the phone rang. I have a tendency to hate my phone. I narrowed my eyes at it in disgust.

To my surprise, it ended up being the funniest phone call I have ever received.

It was a colleague whose office is upstairs.

"I'm not going to make it in today," he said. "I was hoping you or someone in the office could do me a favor."

"Sure," I said, and reached for my pen to write down the information.

"Inside my office, there is a microwave," he said. "On top of the microwave, there is a banana."

I  stopped. The paper read "[Person's name]--office--microwave--banana." Odd.

"Okay..." I said.

"The banana is ripe. But it's only going to be ripe until about the end of today. And then it's going to turn to mush."

I tried not to laugh. I had absolutely no idea where this was going.

I nodded, even though it could not be seen.

"I'm going to need someone in the office to eat the banana," he said. "Maybe for a snack, or part of their lunch. It's a perfectly good banana, I'd just hate to see it go to waste."

Definitely not what I had expected. He had called into the office solely for this purpose. To offer a banana.

The entire exchange brightened up my day and made me loathe my phone slightly less.

Offering a free banana, an awesome act of kindness.

"Thank You"

It seems to be that the simplest acts of kindness can be the hardest and also the most significant.  At its core, saying "Thank you" is nearly effortless.  We say it for nearly everything.  A piece of candy, a tissue, a use of stapler, transferring a call.  Yet when the thanks is important, it can be nearly too daunting to manage.

I finally said "Thank you" to someone last week.  A mere stranger that I never forgot.  I had thought about it for months--well over a year.  I had meant to do it, but the thought of facing this person that I owed such gratitude shadowed my courage and kept me away.

I'm not sure what I expected out of it.  I didn't expect to see him at all, but he was there, working at the same restaurant.

I told him thanks.  And it was as if I gave him everything.

It is a unique past experience that he and I share, which upped the ante of thanks.

But at the base of it, giving thanks can be monumental.

I didn't think it would affect him.  Saying thanks was for me.  But it meant more to him than anything I could have fathomed.

Saying "Thank you." An invaluable act of kindness.

Breakfast Tacos, Part Deux

She did it again this morning. Brought us all breakfast tacos.

She claimed the reasoning was that she needed the individual salt and pepper packets that come with the tacos for her lunches, which makes her even nicer that she doesn't want recognition for her kindness. It is just who she is.

But today was a bit different. After she handed Jessica her staple bean and cheese taco, she turned to me, taco in hand, and said, "Bacon, egg, and cheese," knowing that is always my breakfast taco of choice.

I suppose when you work in an office, you can really decided the extent that you want to know your co-workers. I am fortunate to work in a place with kind people who care about each other and pay attention to the little things.

Our supervisor said it perfectly this morning as she walked back to her office: "Now, I'm going to take advantage of Laurie's kindness and have breakfast."

Let's discuss this over lunch

A couple weeks ago, a senior colleague asked me if I wanted to go to lunch with him and discuss what I want to do with my life. A very, very kind offer.

We went to lunch today and talked about various aspects of my life and where I wanted myself and career to be in the future.

It's all about making connections, he said. To sell yourself to other people and do the things that make you feel uncomfortable.

"Be prepared to go to a lot of lunches," he said. He explained that there was not a single person who has helped him in his life or career whom he did not first share a meal. He said there was something in our culture where breaking bread signified a kind of trusting relationship.

Naturally, he chose the time when we were eating lunch to explain this. Blatant yet subtle.

It was very kind of him to take time out of his busy schedule to have a simple lunch with me and discuss my life. He gave me exceptional advice and recommendations that I will cherish, but more than anything, it was the kindness in his offer that was so special.

Reminiscing

Ever since I wrote about the friendly mail carriers that I encounter daily, I have wanted to know more about each of them. They are all still unbelievably friendly and have the uncanny ability to make me feel better, even when I have been staring at a screen for so long that my brain feels numb.

"Well, hey stranger," he said. "Happy Friday."

Happy Friday indeed.

As always, we exchanged pleasantries, but today I probed a little further and found that my favorite mail services worker and I have something very specific in common. We were both collegiate athletes.

This is an area of my life that I do not revisit often. It is also one that provides a range of emotions that I may not still even be mature enough to handle. There was the pain, the sweat, the hardships that were too awful to discuss, and of course, dealing with the reality that it came to an end.

"It's something that you can't understand unless you experienced it," I said to him.

"You're right," he said. "But then you wish you could go back to that time and realize that once it's over, you're going to be doing this."

At that, we both laughed. Sitting in an office or delivering mail is infinitely less exciting--and less painful--than playing a sport, but that is where life takes most of us.

It was nice to be reminded of a time in my life that has passed. But it was even nicer to get to know a little bit more about my favorite mail carrier.

Cover me

It's raining today. Usually, this would make me want to run outside and stand in the open with my arms outstretched, but I wore flip-flops today and it is actually raining kind of hard. And I am in an office building, so no rain twirling for me.

I went walking on my lunch break. I always enjoy seeing the mass of umbrellas on a rainy day. Originally from a dry, hot climate, an umbrella had never been a necessity for me, and I only recently purchased one to have in my permanent possession.

As I looked around, I saw several people sharing their umbrellas. Friends, couples, random people shoved under the protective covering from the rain.

As this is not common practice for me, I always wondered how all these people had their umbrellas (how did they know it was going to rain?!) and were prepared for the wetness.

I have always fallen into the umbrellaless camp.

I therefore find it even nicer when someone offers their umbrella, a slight shelter, to someone without one.

Office Breakfast

I've noticed that the last few acts of kindness have involved food. Inherently, this brings about a discussion and debate as to the social implications of food, and why it has become a symbol of kindness in our culture. But this is not the place to debate social implications (or ramifications); rather, a place to admire the kindness of my co-worker.

She gave me crackers yesterday and this morning came to my desk and whispered, "Do you want a breakfast burrito?"

Uh, yes.

"I would love a breakfast burrito."

On her desk, she had several breakfast burritos, enough for all of us in the office. She even made it a point to order a bean and cheese burrito since Jessica cannot eat bacon.

As I was loading my burrito with salsa, I said, "That was so nice of you." The thought that she went to the restaurant to order herself a burrito, but made it a point to get one for each of us as well, I find to be overwhelmingly kind. To her it may have been nothing special, a small gesture at best, but it made so many of us a little bit happier this morning.

This is not the first time she has appeared with an armful of breakfast burritos. And every time she buys them for us, I always think of how this really is an act of supreme kindness.

That Afternoon Craving

I was feeling hungry this afternoon. There is a CVS fairly close to where I work, and so I decided I was going to get something to eat. But doing so would mean leaving my desk, walking on a pained knee, and venturing out in to possible rain.

Yesterday, my co-worker let me have some of the Club crackers she keeps for an occasional snack at her desk. They left me with a craving for them again today. I told her I was going to go buy some of my own and she said, "Don't waste your money when I have crackers."

A philosophical debate ensued as to the relevance of owning and eating the crackers and my vow to never be a mooch.

"Eat my damn crackers," she said.

So I did. I feel much better, munching on the buttery, salty goodness.

Giving a stubborn co-worker some crackers when she is hungry is an AWESOME act of kindness.

Leftover Cake

Let's just call this what it is. Leftover cake for the staff.

It's a phenomena that happens often in my office, when some form of baked goods ends up on the table in the center of the room.

Someone bought donuts Friday, and today, the remnants of a large chocolate cake encompassed the space.

There was some event today, I'm sure, where cake was a necessity. Not all of it was eaten, and so the leftovers were brought to the staff.

It was a nice treat for some, but for me, as I am presently not eating sweets, served as a taunting reminder to what I cannot have. As is life.

It is always kind, however, to share with people as a means of thanks.

Supporting Co-workers

At my workplace, the staff award ceremony was today, which celebrates outstanding staff as well as people who have worked here for ten through fifty years.

A woman in our office was recognized for fifteen years of service, and I went to the ceremony to support her. The room was filled with honorees' friends, family, and fellow staff.

I was overwhelmed by the number of people who had more than ten years of service, particularly those who have worked thirty years. (I feel impressive for ten months.) The list of names seemed unending, and yet the amount of support and applause given to each awardee was equal.

When the man who has worked here for fifty years was recognized, he received a standing ovation.

It was nice to see so much support for co-workers and fellow staff members, even though our work does not directly relate and we may never formally meet.

Support in any capacity is always a great act of kindness.

Photoshop Favor

This has been a very exciting week. One of my good friends and someone I use as frequent inspiration for the blog found out that she and her husband are expecting a baby. Anyone who knows this couple is very excited and knows that they will be incredible parents. I could not be happier for them.

My friend decided to start a blog to chronicle the very exciting upcoming months of their lives and share the excitement with close family and friends. She asked me if I would be interested in making a slightly more personalized header for her blog since I have a slight, albeit low, knowledge of Photoshop. I couldn't have been happier to help.

In looking at the kindness in others, perhaps a more interesting journey would be to document my own act of kindness as well. Perhaps it will provide an even bigger incentive to make someone's day better.

Extending a favor, one of the many daily acts of kindness between good friends.
(Congratulations again!)

On a hard day...

I've had a hard day today. A residual feeling of sadness has bled over from yesterday and I feel exhausted in nearly every capacity.

I suppose it's days like today that made me want to document the acts of kindness around me. I know that often I can get so caught up in the larger idea of every day. Work, commitments, household obligations. In focusing so intensely on the greater scale of things, I tend to lose sight of so many wonderful things that receive no recognition.

I put little effort into my appearance today. I threw on jeans and a comfortable tee shirt, slapped a small amount of makeup onto my face, pulled a brush through my hair, and stepped into my favorite black Converse shoes. Definitely not professional dress, but thankfully I work in a casual environment where this is not entirely unheard of.

In feeling so wretched, I have really noticed the kindness of others today. Perhaps their efforts have been heightened as it is clear that I'm upset. Or perhaps it is in feeling so low that the smallest act of kindness seems to be paramount.

Acts of kindness shown to me today include moments that sparked laughter, a comfortable lunch with friends, a simple "I hope your day gets better" from a pure stranger who read it across my face, and tickets for a Bon Iver show tonight.

Giving support to someone who is having a hard day--a very special act of kindness.

Friendly Acquaintances

"Well hey, stranger."
At this, I know my favorite postman is here. And I am excited to say hi.
I encounter mail services, UPS and FedEx every day, and I have my favorite carriers from each domain.

The man from mail services may be the friendliest person I encounter all day. Whenever he enters the office he asks me how I am, and when I reciprocate, he responds, "Oh, doing well." My mood always lifts when I see him simply because he is so cheerful and friendly.

My favorite UPS carrier is equally awesome and together we share a countdown to Friday each week.
"See you later, bye!" he says without fail as he rounds the corner out of the office.

I don't actually know any of their names, but I always smile when I see them. Carrying heavy mail, making long rounds, and always friendly.

Being friendly toward an acquaintance, even for a few seconds. An awesome act of kindness.

Stopping for a Chat

This post is homage to my friend Brad and people who are like him. I use the word "friend" loosely because although we do not see each other outside the halls of our workplace, he is someone that anyone would like to call friend. Including me.

Brad is special because he is so nice for no reason at all.

Today, he stopped by my desk to give me some documents I requested. We had not talked for a while, and though we were both somewhat busy, took the time to have a conversation.

"What areas of Tempe should I avoid?" he asked.
"Guadalupe," I said. "Definitely."

Our short conversation was repeatedly interrupted by the incessant ringing of my phone, and with every call, he waited patiently.

Brad is leaving soon, moving to a place that I know well, that is no longer mine. I am envious of that place, that they are getting him. Someone who is so nice, for no reason.

Stopping by for a chat. An awesome, sometimes the best, act of kindness.

The Candy Dish

As I threw my bag of daily necessities onto my desk this morning, beginning a new work week, I heard a familiar rustle from my coworker's office. She had purchased bags of candy over the weekend and was replenishing the dish that sits on the corner of her desk.

She pays for the candy with her own money, and purposefully buys items she knows certain people enjoy. She likes Riesen, but I know she keeps it stocked in the dish for the times when Rolando is looking for chocolate.

The candy dish, though small and inconspicuous, creates a cheerful and inviting atmosphere for anyone entering her office. With its mystical powers, candy can somehow make even the crappiest circumstances better by simply being offered and tasting really nice.

"Have a piece of candy."  A simple, awesome act of kindness.