The Underestimated Power of Kindness

It was a bright Saturday morning in the late fall. I had stopped at a cafe' to enjoy a cup of coffee and scan the morning newspaper. Suddenly, I felt a hand on the back of my jacket and heard someone say, "Hey Steve! How ya doin'?"

Looking up, I saw a boy wearing a mechanic's uniform worn by employees of the gasoline station next to the cafe'. He looked familiar, but, at first, I was unable to recall where we had met.

He also held a cup of coffee, so I asked him to join me. Very soon, his story--and probably my coffee--began to thaw out my memory.

Five years earlier, he had been traveling home late on a February night. He still had several of his friends with him. A ferocious blizzard had arrived that afternoon, and by midnight, the snowdrifts were getting deep. He recalled hitting a drift just down the road from my house.

He had walked to my house for help. I had taken my pickup and a towing rope and pulled him out of the snowdrift and up to the highway where maintenance trucks had cleaned away the snow.

This has been a common occurrence here during the winter. I cannot count the times someone has also pulled my car from a snowdrift.

However, it was an unforgettable experience for him. He was only eighteen at the time, and he described how frightened he had been. One would not want to be stuck all night in a storm like that one. Within a couple hours, my pickup would not have made it to the highway.

As it turned out, his memory and account of that snowy night was a very unexpected--and much appreciated--kindness toward me. I thanked him sincerely for stopping to chat during his break.

His memory of our unexpected meeting in a snowstorm brightened my entire day. Since then, we have had several chats over a Saturday morning cup of coffee.

Leo Buscaglia wrote, "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

Such simple actions can indeed have an underestimated power. Many people desperately need kind words, smiles, and listening ears. They need ears that will hear without judging and respond without possessing.

One simple kindness at the right moment can change the direction of a life and shine a light of hope when all light seems to have gone out. Sometimes it has the power to save a life.

Here is a great quote that I keep in my e-journal. It was written by William Penn...

"I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again."

Make today a memorable day by sharing a smile or kind word with at least one other person. It is difficult to estimate the tremendous power and value that the simplest acts of kindness bring. However, they do not stop where they begin. Their underestimated power will continue to bring you a life of joy and memorable experiences.

Copyright 2005 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life success coach, motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com

1 Car Group Insurance
Free Directory Assistance
24 Hr Fitness Center
Milliken Commercial Carpet
Island Long Store Thrift
Duoprime Mineral Oil
Baseball Coaching Shoes
Furnishing Home Kirklands
Boggle Supreme Download
Wallet
California Farm Fowl Game
Haunted Houses In Pennsylvania
Indiana Mats
Connollys Pub And Restaurant
06 10 21 Chef From Home Recipe Show Take
Silicone Nipples
Hiking
10 14 Cash Day Home In
1
11 Cool Entertainment Extremetech Home Office Project Rfid Toy
Center Rehab
10 Fact Global Warming
Signature Vacation
Little Tikes Activity Gym
Computer Extra From Home Make Money
Executive Office Design
Las Planning Vegas Wedding
Methadone Pills
0 3 Baby Baby From Thinking Toddler Understanding Years
Reduce Stress Work
Sears Rent A Truck
Bag Diaper Review
American Sailing Ship
1 Ae Camera Canon
007 Everything Or Nothing Cheats
Tulsa Jewelers
Celebrity Free Oops Picture
Basketball Carolina North Schedule State
Contract Driving Teen
Lookup Obituary Free
Mtv
Ninja Secrets
Nad Audio
Lamp For Projector
Ontario Escort Directory
Las Massage Parlours Vegas
Bag Cosmetic Promotional
Cafe Forest Menu Rain
Suriname Business
100 Man Shirt Wool
Rental Skiing Sports Water
1 1 1 2bstations 417 Radio Top
Kirklands Home Decor
Apartment Beach Myrtle North Rental Sc
Restaurant In Seattle Washington
Canada Soccer Woman
Toddler Formal Dress
2002 Global Warming
06 Boy Friend Lisa Pool Summer
No Investment Work At Home Opportunity
Getty Stock Image
06 Bike Biker Chick Girl Sturgis Two
2007 Canadian Holiday Stat
Database Lead Mortgage Reverse
Diego Gas Hotel In Lamp San
Idaho State Bird
Florida Radio Station
Chocolate
Teen Fashion Magazine
Mail Order Christmas Wreath
Dvd On Dvd
Chicago Vocational School
0 Auto Financing
Villa
Realestate
1 16 Farm Scale Toy
Download Free Friend Series Tv
1 Hit Wonders
Swedish Institute Dallas
12 Code Friend List Myspace Top
1 Click Copy Dvd
Index1
Costume
Wholesale Toy Tractor
Dkny Woman Perfume
Carpet Review Shaw
Business
Entertainment Technology Consultant
1 Carol Carol Carol Choir Choir Christmas Fifty
07 Ea Fifa Soccer Sports
Farm For Sale In Missouri
100 Carpet Moment Red
Diet Plan Vegetarian
Snow Camo
Adoption Minnesota Pet
Air Hockey Computer Game
Airfare Australia Cheap Discount
Gone With The Wind Lamp
100 Radio Receiver Satellite Sirius Stiletto
05 Calendar
Star Trek Magazine
Index1
Amsterdam House In Rent
Dropsy Fish Gold
Left Lower Quadrant Abdominal Pain
Hartford High Public School
150 Doo Sea Speedster
007 Arcade Games
Diet Patch As Seen On Tv
2006 Aa Aa Bed Breakfast France Guide In Lifestyle S
Arkansas Map
Miniature Set Tea Wholesale
Baghdad Cafe
Homeless People In America
Chaise La Recliner
Aa Football I Ncaa Ranking
0 Ford
Source Sports Store Toronto Toronto
Football High Michigan Pairing School
Biker Free Personals
2000 Estate Real Remax Team
Fragrance Bead Wholesale
Apartment Bill Dallas Paid Texas
0 Car Financing
1 800 Water Damage
10 Box Office Top Uk
B Movie Clips
Higher Gear
Acg Boot Footwear Nike
Duck Nesting Boxes
Restaurant In New Hope Pa
100 Abdominal Exercises
Prada Cosmetic Bag
Dream Car Rental In Las Vegas
Depression Medication Natural
Bed And Breakfast San Jose Costa Rica
Free Plasma Television
Antioch Ca Real Estate
150 Book Brain Exercise Mind Peak Perfection Train Workout
Northern Michigan Lakefront Real Estate
Apple Ipod Reviews
Health
Wholesale Tennis Shoes
0190 Dialer
Airline Flight Tracking
Careers In Electrical Engineering Uk
Eastern Orthodox Saints
Avon Cosmetic Romania
Traditional Food From Honduras
Old Homestead
Ever Longest Myspace Survey
Home Magazine Subscription Taste
Business Pet Sitting
1 Cream Ice Team Volume
10k 14k Estate Jewelry Wholesale
Dealer Texas Trailer Travel
Cemetery Ontario Pet
Best Dog Male Name
05 Calendar And Us Holidays
1970 Beetle Carpet Color Swatches Vw
1 Ae Camera Canon
03 A70 Camera Canon Digital Powershot
Career In Inseries Job Opportunity Opportunity Part Summer Time
Foreign Medical Doctors For Employment In Australia
California Club Francisco In Night San
Soft Ski Boot
0 2007 60 Gt Mustang
Rubber Product Wholesale Manufacturer
Board Down
07 2005 Hockey Hockey Ice Ice Official Official Rule Rule
Mobile Phone Gadgets
Philips Plasma Screen
Trout Fishing In Pa
06 House
Pacific Care Health Plan
Break Career Gap In Job Opportunity Sun Year
Free Idea Scrapbooking Wedding
Christina Aguilera Magazine Cover
10 22 Gun Stock
10 Mm Auto
100 Firm Law Top
1 Investor Portfolio Stock Yahoo
Rogers And Holland Jewelry Store
Panasonic Home Entertainment System
Jobs In Frisco
Giant Boys
Digimon Party
Kia Magentis
1 800 Adopt Pet
Ge Captial
1500 1800 Costume Dress Pattern Period Screen Stage Womens
Baby Infant
1 Ct Diamond Tennis Bracelet
1 Mole
English Soccer League
Cell Phone Directory Canada
Futurama Trivia
Compass Gas Jeep Mileage
2007 Game Nascar Play Station
Saba Blue Water Cafe
Chicago Mesothelioma Lawyer
Paper Making Kits
Designer Wedding Dress For Less
Baby Toy Wal Mart
100 Cd Drum And 20 Cd Wallet
Real Estate Management Sacramento
Cosmetic Surgeon In Arizona
06 Fifa Game Soccer
Lake Havasu Real Estate Broker
Womans Dress Shoes
10 Customer Manager Relationship Software Top
Mesothelial Cells Cancerous Tumor Diagnosis Mesothelioma
Bar Candy Chocolate Milk Sneaker
Map Quest Driving Directions
China Heath Rose Spode
Us Postal Service Post Office Location
Posters Australian
Accelerated Rehab Center
Basketball Hoosiers Indiana Man Schedule
Center Drug Oklahoma Rehab
08 Cup Fifa Soccer World
1 Fr
Realestate
Be A Agent Of Money Gram
Air Cheap Domestic Flight Travel
35
Cash Chord Jesus Johnny Personal
Fertility Treatments
0 Finance New Cars
Bright House Cable
Los Angeles Night Club 18 And Over
How To Get Red Stain Out Of A Carpet
List Song Workout
24
Jason Davis
Book Entertainment Pa
25
Kitchen Tv Radio
Band Celtic Ring Wedding
Map Of Caspian Sea
Boat Fishing Pelican
Humor Office Video
City Contractor New Pool Swimming
Employment Prospects
Hair Mineral Vitamin
Hawaiian Sea Shell
Female Body Building Forum
Flight From Miami To London
Holiday Cottage Cornwall
Card Credit Hsbc Offshore
Business
Hot Dog Vending Cart
Ecommerce Hosts
Online Chocolate Gift
Remote Control Toy Blimps
Wholesale Burberry Handbag
Baby Free Shower Stuff
Furniture Store Dallas Area
Dirt Bike Clothes For Kid
Mp3 Player In Flash
Pyle Amplifiers
Wells Fargo Business Card
Flight Scholarship School
New Mesothelioma Treatment
001 001 Cheap Flight Keyword Miva R Ticket
Orlando Dancers
Coffee Service Company
The Borgatta
Cosmetic Surgery Breast Lift
0 Three
Airline Cheap Cheap Dirt Discounted Flight Fly New Taupo Ticket Ticket Ticket Travel Zealand
Ipod
Cart Custom Shopping Software
Maple Story
Indianapolis Indiana Obituary
Mohaa Custom Maps
Apartment Brooklyn In Rent
California Group Health Insurance Directory
Narcotics Anonymous Los Angeles
Michigan Plastic Surgeon
Currency Forecast Forex Trading
Gift Online Shop
Beale Garden Grey
High Illinois School Trinity
Adidas Boot Football Tunit
Luxury Kitchen Photo
Mickey Mouse Living Color
Javascript Redirect
Conway North Outlet Shopping
Boxed Card Christmas Glittery Holiday Tree
Internet Communities
Luxury Barbados Villas
10 Best Place To Retire
Scottish Gaelic Baby Name
Sausage And Egg Casserole
Dress Formal Prom Semi
10 In Law School Top Us
District Home Lansing Page School
9
High School Football In Nj
Mineral Natural Supplement Vitamin
Law
1 Ghz Computer
Boot Custom Made Western
26
100 Cd Drum And 20 Cd Wallet
A New Pair Of Glasses
2005 December Oil Prediction Price Production
007 Films
35
Trimble Gps
Forex Training Dvd
Pool Pump Installation
1 34 Bus School Toy
Pet Health Question About Dog
Plano Orthopedic And Sports Medicine Center
University Of Minnesota Business School
100 Greatest Inventions
Ipod Itunes Made Match Sync
Chef Coat Short Sleeve
Retro Bowling Bag
100 Directv Offer
1 800 Conference
04 House
Breast Rachel Ray Turkey
10 Beach Florida Top
Hd Lcd Review Tv
Bolle Discount Glasses Sun
Condominiums Condo Rentals Orange Beach Alabama
Government Home Loan Programs
Construction Florida In
5
Debt Reduction In
Farm Trestle Table
Botanical City Garden New York
Time Magazine Autism
France Information Travel
Lorenza Mario
Atrium Window
Amsterdam Tournament
Tennis Academy In Spain
Boulder Colorado Hiking
Camera Digital Driver Hewlett Hp Packard
Valentines Flowers
1 32 Car Diecast Truck
45 District Park Villa
Minnesota High School Sports Score
Day Inn Hotel Chicago
2007 G35 Infiniti Pricing
Baby Jesus Doll
Claus Costume Mrs Santa
Build Kitchen Counter Top
Free Mtv Video
Beautiful Flower Spring
Beginner Pilates
Cancun Resort Royal Share Time
Vitamins For Depression
Field Guide Religion Wild World
Bob Villa
Springfield State College
Hotel Moore Seattle
Jesus Is Just Alright
0 Forex Learn Onlinesbox Trading
Schwinn Bike Accessory
Audio Controller Download Driver Free Multimedia
Israel And New Breed
Cosmetic Dentistry In San Diego
06 Soccer Tour World
Project Science Toy
1 After Effects War World
Medical Doctor
1 Gb Flashdrive
Team Xlink
Comite Departemental Du Tourisme
Research Triangle Condominium
Construction Florida Litigation
Collector Car Insurance Rate
1 1
Baywatch Beach Hotel Myrtle
100 All Natural Skin Care Product
Music Myspace New Video
Law Enforcement Wallets
Condominium
Gerald Levert Memorial Obituary
Airline Ewr Flight Ticket United
Health Care Information Technology Jobs
0 Points
Business International People Relevance Strategy
203k Rehab Loan
Rival T Shirt College
Concrete Contractor Association
Chicago Hampton Il Inn
23
Snow
Forex Training Software
Dutch Bros
Dfw Furniture Warehouse
Load Test Software
Chocolate Golden Lab Mix Retriever
1 800 Coupon Meds Pet
Christian Private School
Cosmetic Dentistry Cincinnati
Christmas House Tour White
Benefit Cosmetic Review
2007 Book Cd Edition Gmat Gmat Kaplan Kaplan Premier Program Rom
Care Product Review Serious Skin
Thomas Halpin
Screaming Trees
10 Bar Chocolate Pound
Basic Marketing Principle
Georgia General Contractor License
101 Cartoon Disney
16
101 Carb Dessert Low Recipe Sugarfree
1 800 Adopt A Pet
Care Senior Dog Supply
Dating Jewish Services Single
Sp2 Help
Contractor License School 138
3 Bar Breakfast Piece Set
Australia Holiday Visa
Clark County Public Records
11 Madison Restaurant
Cars Mustangs
Massage Parlor In The Uk
Queens Tennis
06 07 Hockey Nhl
Cafe Europa Houston
Wireless B
Gangster Costumes
Motorola Radio Xts 5000
Contractor Equipment Installation
Rheem Criterion Ii Gas Furnace
Cheap City Hotel Rapid Rate
Herbal Supplements Interactions
Custom Air Jordan Shoes
Basketball Card Case Display
100 Angeles Gabriels Hike In San Trail
25
Brian Dalton
1gb Ipod Nano
10 Bunn Coffee Cup Maker Nhb
List Ncaa Football Champion
2 Amsterdam Center City Hotel Star
0 Car Financing
Initial Video
As Baby Jesus Picture
Address Doctor Find
3 Beach Cast Laguna Mtv
Cheap Timberland Boot
Bling Jewelry Watch
Coffee Nyc Shop
100 Company Construction Top
Man Dress Prada Shoes
Hawaii Tour Vacation
35
07 3 3 Animal Episode Planet
Iso Image Burn
1000 Calorie Day Diet Vegetarian
Hard Rock Cafe Hotel And Casino
1031 Exchange Companies
Dos Network Boot Disk
Artificial Christmas Corner Tree
Textron Fastening Systems
Baseball Cardinal Playoff
Florida Island Marco Share Time Vacation
Basketball Nike Old Shoes
Capitalization Rules
Cafe Au Lait Poodle
Long Island Soccer League
Vegetarian Curry Recipe
Camera
Mexican Restaurant Philadelphia
Vintage Lounge Chaise Sofa
Cheap Discount Flight Travel Uk
06 Costume Party
Sea Las
Camera Developing Digital Photo
10 Bar Chocolate Pound
Baby I Love Song
20 Air Cheap Fair Ticket
Cartoon Com Network Ph
Austin Estate In Internet Marketing Real
Provident National Bank
Little House On The Prairie Season 4
1 800 Yellow Pages
Yellowstone Vacation
Xbox 360 Specs
Mayfair Hotel Los Angeles
Cake Cone Cream Ice
Liberty High School Maryland
Bailey Donovan
Universidades De Nicaragua
Checking Free
Jesus Life Parables
Customer Relationship Management Software For The Small
Exxon Global Warming
Professional Dog Training Supply
France Air
06 Bike Biker Chick Girl Sturgis Two
20 Air Cheap Ticket Tran
Pacific Airfares
100 Free Satellite Set Tv Up
0 Holds Barred
21 Bronx Century Estate Real
Magazine
Weslo Cadence 450
07 Gmc Truck
Condor Flights
Car Insurance England
1 Chat Avenue
Kingston Flash Memory Driver
10 Best Place To Retire
2006 Spa Week
Beirut Leaving Roger Water
07 2007 Auto Autodesk Cad Instructor Inventor Software
Fishing Free Hunting Site Template Web
26
From Home Investment No Online Work
04 Birthday Pool
Boot Fashion Jeans
Live Satellite Feed Of Earth
Outdoor Gas Patio Heater
1 Dance Last Save Soundtrack
Radio Satellite Xfm
Girl Christmas Dress
3 Acne Day Download Free Free In
Animated Cartoon Man Series X
0a Business Free Home Opportunity Work
0 Chicago Down Mortgage
Arts Bachelor Culinary Degree In School
10 Cd Wallet Visor
Banner Stand Display
Camper Terry Trailer Travel
100 Tea Tree Oil
Black Friday Kb Sales Toy
Largest Airports
Bank Ge Loan Money
100 Cut Hair Love One Plus
Beach Florida Rosa Santa
Alteration Club Design Fitting Golf Principle Procedure Repair
Toddler Bed Baby
Great Place To Retire
2007 Chevrolet Silverado Ss
New Package Spa York
Refurbished Mac Laptop
Conversion Currency Currency Forex
2 Interleukin Malignant Mesothelioma Treatment
Usage 200709
Toys R Us Com
Dish Network Pointing Satellite
Mlm Companies
New Home Naples Florida
Authoritative Guide Health Help In Mental Resource Self
8 Mile Freestyle