Five Random Acts of Kindness - Do It

I woke up today feeling like absolute trash. Hardly slept, worked over the weekend, and stretched thin across a few live deals that are unlikely to come to fruition. To make matters far worse, the bankers have been irresponsive to my countless emails with follow up requests, and my whole team is losing their mind. Everyone is stressed, and my stereotypical Type A finance Director is ready to throw hands (if not with the bank, I'll suffice as the human punching bag).

Like many of us do on a regular basis, I was balls deep in a pitty party for myself, knowing this week would suck and bracing to work high hours this / next week.

However, mid-self-centered sadness fiesta, I had one of those moments that put everything into perspective.

On my way to lunch, I watched this FedEx employee trying, struggling, failing, to move this MASSIVE pallet of packages up a 10" curb. I am talking the pallets they have at Home Depot designed to move industrial grade fridges. The pallet looked like it weighed 300+ lbs.

Immediately I felt so horrible for this guy. Instead of being a normal asshole and just turning the other way, I ran over to give the guy a hand. I couldn't believe how heavy this thing was, and we barely got it safely on the curb with all of our combined might.

Did I mention it was absolutely freezing outside, and this dude is working in a hoodie and no gloves? Here my little bitch ass is wearing a coat specifically made for Antarctica (not being hyperbolic here), in my custom iPhone-friendly gloves on his way to lunch feeling like the loser who got picked last in gym class. All because I had to work the job I signed up for and things werent going as planned. 

For the rest of the day I thought about that guy. He was probably making a fraction of my salary but working twice as hard, with limited-to-no upward mobility. He looked as though he was in his 40s. Who the fuck was I to feel sorry for myself? 

This small surge of empathy made me realize that this holiday season Ill be fortunate enough to see my family, to get everyone gifts, and to not think twice about what the cost is. Sure, no one is coming home with anything more than $100-200, but that still puts me in a better financial position than 80+% of Americans. 

So my epiphany led me to realize that I ought to do at least a few random acts of kindness this week. My goal for the week will be to do 5-10 things for people who need it far more than me, no matter how big or small.

So far, I have:

1. Chatted with one of the baggers at my local grocery store for 20 minutes and tipped her the last $20 in my wallet

2. Helped an elderly woman when her groceries spilled everywhere and load them into her car

3. Helped the FedEx employee move the pallet

4. Bought a stupid big steak, a really stupid / funny Tee shirt, and flowers for my GF 

Typing this out, I realize how small and arguably meaningless each act may seem. I hope to do more this holiday season, but this is just what I could accomplish in an afternoon where I spent most of my time making meaningless model / approval deck changes. 

But it isnt about changing the world in one fell swoop. It is about going out of your way to try and restore faith in humanity, one tiny, microscopic act at a time. 

Most of us on this site (yes students included) are fortunate enough to have more than most.

We are currently living in a world full of anger, selfishness, and hostility. Times are tough, and the media is thriving by trying to turn us against one another. Never before has America been so split, living in segregated bubbles. But corny as it may sound, 99% of us are just trying to do our best. 

My belief is even in the trenches of wall street, 80+% of us are decent human beings that would help others if given the chance. 

The purpose of this quasi-preachy blog-post-esque post is to encourage each and every one of you to try and do a few small acts of kindness this holiday season, if you can afford to. 

Don't think "I should really do something", just do it