I’m back from the Bahamas as of yesterday, where I enjoyed excellent weather and interactions with friends and family. Sadly, in specific reference to wishing that I was still in the Bahamas, yet happily in general, I am on my way to work.

Most mornings, I stop at a pretty well appointed bodega by Yankee stadium for breakfast. A few weeks ago, I was at the register and needed 25 cents more, and started looking for a quarter. I simply didn’t want to break a dollar and have more change as dregs. It took a few seconds, and as I was rummaging, a guy behind me put a quarter in the counter and very pleasantly said, “Here you go.” He didn’t do it in an annoyed manner that suggested “It will cost me only 25 cents to get you out of my way”. He was really pleasant about it. For as small of an amount and simple of a gesture, it meant a lot and was a big surprise. I kind of felt silly at the time for how much I thanked him.

When I saw him this morning, which was easy because we were the only two customers in the place the day after Christmas, I decided to return the kindness by buying his breakfast. I would have preferred to simply pay for it “anonymously” and get moving, but this is still New York. I had to make sure that I was getting charged for the right thing and that he wouldn’t also be charged after I left, so I found out what he was having and let him know I was paying for it. It cost only a few dollars, but it felt nice and everybody won.

The point of this is certainly not to draw attention to myself, the point is that in the smallest way, you can move someone meaningfully. When I left, I simply said “Have a nice day.” He replied, “I will, it’s already off to a great start.”

Spread love.