Looking

Today I made a goal of finding someone who needed help- and help them. I wanted to be able to give someone a smile, no matter how big. To help them find that happiness they needed in that moment. And what do you know?

I found someone!

I was walking back to my apartment from work a little while ago. I was just in a zone, as some people are after working all morning. On my way to and from work I pass this parking lot with these big containers where people in the community can recycle different materials. When I was walking towards it I saw this older gentleman trying to take a really big tote- well, really big for him- full of some papers he wanted to recycle. I stopped and asked if he wanted help- and smiled and said he would like that. As I dumped my last armful in the container, he just smiled and said "You're a good scout." I can honestly tell you that I smiled so big on the rest of my walk home. I am still smiling.

Why do I tell you this? Certainly, I am not trying to boast about my doing something good. Honestly. I just wanted you to see the effects it had. Not only did I get to help someone smile- it helped me have the biggest smile I could have! It felt fantastic. I loved feeling that way after helping.

Sometimes it is hard to see someone who clearly needs help. But... perhaps you aren't looking. There is a difference between looking and seeing. If you are just going about, seeing things day to day, you won't be able to find something. A lot of the time you have to actually look. And I was looking today.

If you start looking.
You'll see.
And you will feel utterly fantastic when you take hold of those things you find.
Promise.
-gracie