Monday 21 November 2011

Acts of Random Kindness

This is a story about the positive side of human nature.

I put my card next to the reader, the doors opened and I exited the subway. I felt a bit light and easy, about to go out after a long difficult day. Yet, I realised I was light in more than one ways. The penny slowly but surely dropped- I had left my bag on the subway. With all the cards, some money, ID, lecture notes. Shit.
The next day I opened my mailbox to find an email from a man who said he had found my bag and all of my belongings were in it. He had kept it with him, as he thought it was a better idea than leaving in on the subway, where its fate would be questionable. He gave me his details so we could arrange to meet up.

We met at Leiden train station, and of course, the least I could do to thank him was get him a cup of coffee. We chatted, had a few things in common, giggled and then parted ways.

You never know what life will bring to you but, surely, you have to try to see the silver lining and make the most out of it. No, this isn't the beginning of a soppy romantic comedy, this is real life and it is happening this minute. There are some true acts of random kindness, and it is lovely when they bring strangers together.