A series of unfortunate events seemed to have agitated me for the past two weeks. I have to admit that I have been rather negative, emotionally and thinking-wise. However, what happened on Tuesday reminded me that God of Kindness is still smiling at me.

I was feeling ravenous and went for early dinner with my colleague. The food centre was quite deserted as it was not meal time yet. After ordering our food, I started recounting the series of events that has been plaguing me, which almost made me go berserk. When my food came, I gladly dug into the sumptuous food, heaving a sigh of relief when the hot tasty food warmed my tummy and calmed my nerves.

I must have been quite animated when I was telling my stories, until the waitress came a few times to check whether the meat is cooked according to our taste. Each time, I smiled at her and said it was good! I lost count of how many times she came over, but I am very sure that she came not less than four times!

During one of those ‘checks’, the same waitress asked if I would like anything extra. So I jokingly said I won’t mind more fries, even though my plate was overflowing with coleslaw. And she did came back with a plateful of fries, at no cost! I was truly taken aback. Hey, even though the cave I’m in is bleak, there’s still a flicker of light.

I was so grateful for her random act of kindness. For it really brightened up my day, a lot. I flashed her my best smile from my heart. For that, really changed the state I was in, into something more empowering.

That single little act, brought me back to an earlier event on the same day. I was then, in that negative state I was, feeling as though the world has turned its back on me. I took a cab to do something somewhere. I sacrificed my time, my effort and my money and all I get was a totally worthless trip. When I reached my destination on the return trip, I realised that I did not have enough cash to pay the cab driver, after paying for the earlier trip. And I was already late. Really late.

I need to go and withdraw money from the atm which is quite near though, but another passenger was already waiting outside for the cab. I was desperately looking around in my bag for some loose coins or dollar notes that I might have stashed somewhere for emergency but came to nought.

The passenger outside was feeling a bit impatient and opened my door. He asked, not enough cash? I nodded. He asked how much and I said two dollars. He briskly whipped out his wallet and took out a two-dollar note and gave it to me. I was dumbfounded. I took the note with embarrassment and gave it to the taxi driver. The taxi driver broke into a relieved smile.

I thanked the man profusely before and after I had alighted from the cab. I kept asking the man for his name and how to repay him. I’ll remember this kind act from a total stranger and intend to repay him.

And more surprisingly, on the same day, a phone call came to deliver good news. I was ecstatic! I was really, really grateful for everything that has been happening. With just a switch in state, a series of unfortunate events has turned into a series of altruism from strangers…

To the strangers that I’ve experienced kindness from, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’ll make sure that I pass on this generous display of altruism