May 7 – One Act of Kindness Day

Whenever I cross the Cape Coral Bridge connecting Ft. Myers to Cape Coral I’m reminded that I live in paradise. I look out across the beautiful blue water scattered with boats. Above me, billowy clouds drift across a bright sky.  The view reminds me to breathe, to see the beauty that surrounds me.

I remember when I first moved here from Los Angeles. Everyone told me to avoid the bridge during rush hour; I’d have to sit and wait for fifteen minutes. I laughed. Cape Coral traffic had nothing on L.A. Who wouldn’t want to sit and stare at the Caloosahatchee especially during sunset?

Twenty-two years and a new Midpoint Memorial Bridge later, I still love driving back and forth between Ft. Myers and Cape Coral. One day, three years ago, I was returning home from Ft. Myers. I pulled into the toll, to pay my two dollars, and the woman told me that my fee had already been paid by the car in front of me. I was shocked. Why would a stranger pay my toll? Suddenly I felt such joy! It was a different type of joy. Normally if someone did something nice for me, I’d be grateful, I’d thank them, and then I’d start to think of ways in which I could do something nice for them. This time, there was no way for me to thank the person who had paid my toll or reciprocate. Then I realized that I wanted to pay it forward. I wanted to make someone’s day.

The next time I crossed the bridge I paid for the car behind me. Giggling, I quickly tried to blend into traffic so not to be seen. It was awesome! Remembering how I felt and then knowing I surprised someone else in the same way made me feel even more joyful. On days when I wasn’t feeling my best, I’d be sure to pay someone’s toll. Changing my thoughts from whatever was bringing me down to thinking about the driver behind me being surprised always helped me forget about myself and think of others.

Two years ago, on my birthday, May 7th, I decided to make up my own Random Acts of Kindness day. A few people celebrated with me. The next year I did again. More people joined in. Then a few months ago I was contacted by someone in Canada who told me that he had also chosen May 7th as his One Act of Kindness Day. He started a Facebook page, and now we have over 300 people from eight different countries all set to perform one random act of kindness to a stranger on May 7th!

I’m excited! Imagine all the smiles! What a great way to celebrate a birthday, knowing people all over the world are spreading joy and happiness through kindness. Here’s the Facebook page if you’d like to join in the fun: One Act of Kindness – May 7 Just click like. Everyone is welcome.