Monday, June 24, 2013

From Zambia, With Kindness

About two years ago, I had the awesome opportunity to backpack across Zambia and Malawi with 5 close friends who served alongside me in South Africa.  One of our favorite stops during our trek was at Marula Lodge in Mfuwe, Zambia.  Imagine a natural oasis along the South Luangwa River, (which happens to have the highest density of crocodiles and hippos than any other body of water in the world!)  The wildlife is everywhere and the area is full of beauty and splendor.  Each night, hippos and elephants would graze on the grass at the lodge, creating one of the most unique and up-close-and-personal experiences you could ever have with animals in Africa.  It's truly one of God's greatest creations.


We quickly made friends with Jenny, who owns and operates the Marula Lodge.  Through social media, Jenny caught wind of the RAK's I was pursuing and decided to send in her own story.  This is an act of kindness that empowers and sustains, allowing a community to thrive.

---------------

This was a random act that started a few weeks ago and is still going on.  We live in Mfuwe, which is in the middle of Zambia which is in the middle of Africa.  At our daughter's wedding last year we had the church choir sing.  Not long after that they approached us to help them procure a keyboard for the church...they had raised the money, but just needed help to choose one in Lusaka (12 hours away by road) and get it here.  So we did and everyone was happy, until I discovered when in church a few weeks ago that no one could play it!  They were just using the rhythm and beats.  On the spur of the moment I suggested the 'pianist' come to our place on Saturday morning and we could use the trusty internet to learn some worship songs.  Well it turns out neither he nor I are musical at all...so with the help of random musical guests who happen to be here on Saturday mornings and YouTube, he has now learned a song every week for the last 4 weeks!  So cool!

Cheers,

Jenny

For more on Marula Lodge, visit http://marulalodgezambia.com/

Friday, June 21, 2013

A Bump in the Road

Well, no one said being kind would be easy!

Although an unoriginal idea, I decided to buy someone an ice cream sundae at a restaurant last night.  I know, I know, it’s a copied idea.  But come on!  Who doesn’t love free dessert?

The restaurant I was visiting was busy, especially since Game 7 of the NBA Finals was on.  But, I was determined to make someone smile with a free dessert.  But, maybe due to the circumstances of being busy, my idea didn’t go as planned.  My server, who seemed distracted and a bit frantic, seemed to brush off my request.  When I asked who she was planning on giving it to, she pointed to a couple in the corner of the restaurant.

Unfortunately, the couple left the restaurant soon after I made the order.  I was perplexed.  My friends pointed out that they never got a dessert, which means my server never delivered it to them.  I was a bit upset and mad at this.  But, mostly, I was disappointed that someone would take advantage of my random act of kindness.  Honestly, I was contemplating what sense this all made and why I should continue on.  But, I can’t let a bump in the road stop be from paying it forward in life.

Despite leaving the restaurant with a sour taste in my mouth (both from paying for a dessert that no one ate plus a Heat victory,) I would carry on.

So, today I sent a message to an ex-girlfriend of mine.  I know what you must be thinking.  But, it’s been a few years and things ended awkwardly between us.  Ever since then, we’ve drifted far from each other’s lives. 

I simply sent her a message wishing her well, hoping her family is healthy and happy, and letting her know what’s going on in my life.  Nothing crazy, nothing serious.  Just a positive message wishing her well in life.  We shared a lot together, and I honestly just hope she’s doing well.

Who knows how this will be perceived, but I hope she sees it as a kind gesture.


Well, with rain the forecast this weekend, I am thinking I’ll need to buy some cheap umbrellas for someone caught in an unexpected downpour.  This could be a more original idea than dessert again!

Please, if any of you are out there performing your own RAK’s, please tell me about some of your experiences!  I’d love to share your stories.


Enjoy your weekend, and remember to be kind!

The Kindness Continues

Well, since my RAK[i] on Tuesday evening, I’ve tried to continue my streak of kindness.  But, as is often the case with things in life, the unexpected happened.

On Wednesday evening, I had the opportunity to see Ladysmith Black Mambazo (LBM) perform in Evanston.  Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a Grammy winning group out of South Africa, most famous for their part in Paul Simon’s Graceland album. 



Over the last two years, I’ve actually developed a friendship and kinship with the group, especially one member, Msizi Shabalala.  So, I was already thrilled to be seeing them again with a friend of mine.  As we entered the venue, we found our seats.  Now, my friend and I came straight from work and had to battle traffic along the way, so we weren’t able to get anything to eat.  It was already around 7pm, and I knew I was going to be hungry after the show would end in 3 hours.  But, all of a sudden, a RAK happened to me!

There was a man sitting next to us eating a pizza.  I made one small remark of “That pizza looks good!” and he automatically offered me a slice without hesitation.  I said “Oh come on, you really don’t need to do that. Are you serious?”  Well, serious he was.  He gave both my friend and I two slices each.  Our stomachs were full and our hearts were warm, just in time for our souls to be filled with the music of Mambazo. 

After yet another wonderful show, Msizi took my friend and I back to their dressing room.  We got to hang out with the group for about 30 minutes after the show.  It was hard for my friend to hold back the excitement of hanging out with such dynamic, amazing and successful people.  “I remember you all from Sesame Street!” he would say.


I sat back, unable to hold back my gleaming smile, and enjoyed the hospitality and community that I once learned while living in South Africa.

On a day that I was set out to perform kindness for others, I was the one on the receiving end.  Now that’s my kind of awesome.

For more on the impact Ladysmith Black Mambazo has had on South Africa and the world, visit http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/28/world/africa/ladysmith-black-mambazo



[i] Random Act of Kindness.  I’ve come to see others use this acronym since I started talking about it. Kinda cool, right?

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Be Random, Be Kind...Everyday

Last night I was in a restaurant with a friend, grabbing some drinks and food after work.  We were at Hackney’s, one of my favorite spots by my apartment in the city.  Other than the sheer convenience of being two blocks away, Hackney’s is a quaint German bar with good food and great beer on tap. 

My friend and I were discussing the normal stuff we do after another day’s work.  We both have a lot going on in our lives, but who doesn't, right?  As our time there continued, I was struck with an urge to perform some random act of kindness.

I don’t know why I suddenly felt compelled to do something nice for an arbitrary person in my life that night, but I was determined.  So as I was explaining this to my friend, she gave me the great idea of simply buying someone dessert in the restaurant.

That was it!  Who doesn't like dessert, and who would ever turn away a free piece of cake!? 

I quickly recruited my server to be a part of this exciting adventure with me. I wanted help in finding the person(s) who will enjoy a free dessert.  After collaborating with the other servers, we identified a table of two women who we thought would enjoy the cake.

My seat in the restaurant gave me a fortunate glimpse into the other room where I could see the entire situation unfold.  I saw the server approach the women with a large piece of cake, and all of a sudden laughter and smiles were abundant.  They accepted the cake, and with each bite their smiles grew larger.  The server came back to me and said “That was perfect.  Couldn't have gone better. They are definitely going to pay it forward. Thank you!”

My heart was full.  It felt so great to just do something so random and nice for someone I’ll never know.  Who knows what kind of day they were having?  Who knows how much this piece of cake could have truly meant to them on this Tuesday evening? 

As my server lingered around our table with tears in her eyes, she couldn't stop saying how this little gesture gave her hope and made her day.  And that’s what this is all about, right?  I couldn't help myself, so I added $5.45 to her tip, the exact cost of the piece of chocolate cake she said she loves. 

Tuesdays are always better with chocolate cake.