Kindness on Ebay

Kindness is one of those things which has little effect if it isn't put into action. Whether it's a kind word expressed or a good deed done, if these actions are held back because of fear of ridicule or rejection (or any other reason), then the intent withers away.

I see it as a single flame being put out by a wave of water. That flame has so much potential. As the buddha said, a single flame can light a thousand candles.

Imagine what effect the right word at the right time has on someone. It can change their life.

Even if it's just a smile!

That single smile is like the candle. It can make someone feel great (one candle lit). Then that person, because you smiled at them and lifted their spirits, might smile at someone else which might have the same effect (another candle lit) . . . and the process goes on and on.

I've recently put a few items on ebay: DVDs,CDs etc. Amongst the DVDs were three boxsets. Series 1, 2 and 3.

Series 2 sold.

As I was putting it into the padded envolope, I looked across at the unsold DVDs, series 1 and 3, and knew what I had to do.

I put them in the packet too and wrote a little note:

I KNOW YOU ONLY PAID FOR SERIES 2

BUT I THOUGHT I'D GIVE YOU SERIES 1 AND 3 AS WELL.

IF YOU HAVE THEM ALREADY, PLEASE PASS THEM ON.

It felt ace!

It still does.

Knowing how surprised that person is going to be puts a smile on my face.

And the thing is, I didn't stop there. I had several imported CD singles that didn't sell. Someone from Romania kept sending me messages asking what to do because he really wanted them but couldn't bid because I had selected UK shipping only.

Like I said, the CDs didn't sell, so I sent him a message asking, "If you had've won the bid for the CD's, what address would I use to send them you?"

He sent me the address and even told me instructions of what to do on ebay so he could choose the BUY IT NOW option. This guy really wanted these singles.

With his address at hand, I put all the CD singles, even more than what was originally on ebay, and posted them to him in Romania. Again, I wrote a note:

PLEASE ACCEPT THESE AS A GIFT.

NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

ENJOY.

I could've quite easily put that intent to one side, put the CDs on ebay again and let him buy them. But it didn't feel right. What did feel right was for him to receive them unexpectedly as a gift from a stranger.

My good friend, Paul Walsh, walked into Borders bookshop, picked up a book on how to get rich quick and put money in it before putting it back on the shelf.

How ace is that?!

Another friend of mine, Susan Dewhurst, when putting the lottery on, bought a lucky dip for the person behind her in the queue.

Brilliant!!

What random act of kindness can you do today?

. . . I have a dog named Talk, and I Walked it . . .