The year was 2009. At the time, I was single, living in Mumbai and working as a Research Analyst for a Financial Services firm.
On the surface, it was like any other day. I boarded my regular train to work. My mind, however, was in a huge turmoil. Sometimes, when we overanalyze the small little things in our lives, then add a dash of guilt and a heavy dose of self-pity to it, we can feel the weight of the world on our shoulders. I can see that now. However, at the time I just could not seem to stop the downward spiral of my thoughts.
It was at this point that I heard a voice break into my thoughts..”Beta (Child)…” Before I could figure out the source of the voice, I felt a hand on my shoulder. After the initial shock and disorientation that I felt, I realized that the lady beside me was trying to get my attention and say something.
This is what she said: “Beta (Child), I see that you are disturbed about something. I don’t know what you are going through. I don’t even know who you are. However, there is one thing that I do know. I know that it will all be ok. I know this because nothing really bad can happen to good people. So, cheer up.”
In my state of utter surprise, all I could really come up with was a “Thank You..Thank you so much Aunty”.
That little exchange on the train jolted me out of my melancholy mood, instantly. I realized how trivial my problems were, and was totally amazed at the kindness of a random stranger. She did not know me at all. She could have cared less about what I was going through. But she chose to reach out and offer comfort.
After all these years, that time in my life, that train ride, and that lady, appear to be from a different lifetime. However, I never quite forgot how she made me feel that day.
Kindness might just be a word, but one word of kindness can have a huge impact on someone.
Have you ever experienced kindness from unexpected quarters?
*This post is written for the AtoZChallenge.
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Brandy Robertson
How lovely is the kindness of strangers! I honestly thing stranger kindness is the very best sort. I always find compliments from strangers to mean the very most. I am linking to fellow bloggers writing about “K is for Kindness” on my blog today so I will be sure to include your lovely post!
Brandy Robertson recently posted…A-Z Challenge: Random Acts of Kindness beginning with “J”
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked it. Thank you for the shout out on your blog. Appreciate it. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Tyrean Martinson
Yes, I’ve experienced kindness like that, and I try to share it with others.
Thanks for sharing this!
Tyrean Martinson recently posted…A to Z: K Celebrations
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked it. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Ruchi Singh
Yes, I’ve had a couple of such experience. But main thing is that we need to pass it on and the cycel will continue. Great post!
Ruchi Singh recently posted…Kaali Nazar (Evil Eye)
Shanaya Tales
Very true. I hope that I have passed it on. I have certainly tried to. Glad you liked it, Ruchi. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Susan Gourley
What a lovely woman. I have experienced random acts of kindness and hope I’ve spread a few. I’ve witnessed my children stepping forward to help a child or an elderly person without being asked and I think those are my proudest moments as a mother.
Shanaya Tales
Very true, Susan. Parenting is such a challenging journey and when we see positive behaviors displayed by our kids, it is indeed a proud moment. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Swathi Shenoy
She was such an amazing person. Reaching out for strangers is no small thing but sometimes, all these small acts of kindness can bright up someone’s life instantly.
Swathi Shenoy recently posted…Kaleidoscope of Hopes
Shanaya Tales
Very true. Thanks for reading, Swathi. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Mee Magnum
Every day I try to commit at least one act of random kindness. If everyone did, the world would be a better place.
–Mee (The Chinese Quest)
Mee Magnum recently posted…“J” is for Jook #AtoZChallenge @AprilA2Z
Shanaya Tales
Oh it would! Thanks for stopping by, Mee. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Rajlakshmi
It seems you were touched by an angel. That was indeed very kind of her. 🙂
Rajlakshmi recently posted…Krounchasana n Karnapidasana
Shanaya Tales
Yes, it is was indeed very kind of her. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Sundari Venkatraman
Super like 😀
I must say many times
And hopefully offered kindness a few times myself
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked it, Sundari. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Kelly Martin
What a lovely experience on the train. I had two experiences of kindness when I was travelling. I had been backpacking for a year around Australia and was on my way home via Malaysia. I was low on funds and had booked into a hotel for a week, not realising how far away it was from everything and buying food in the hotel was too expensive, so I was worried about starving, And add to this on my first day arriving I took a shower and as I stepped out of the shower I slipped and sprained my ankle badly, it was swollen up like a balloon. I had to pay for the doctor to come in an tend to me and my funds were so low. I hobbled down to the pool area and lay there feeling quite sorry for myself and stressed. I was then blessed with talking to a lovely English couple who saw me hobbling and they took me under their wing and took me out to dinner and for days out by taxi and really looked after me for 3 whole days. Once they left I felt so blessed and I lay by the pool again and another couple came and talked to me and they also took me under their wing for the remainder of my stay there. The universe was very much taking care of me that week and always does.
Kelly Martin recently posted…K Is For KOOKY
Shanaya Tales
That was so kind of them. Thanks for sharing, Kelly. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Shilpa Gupte
Fully agree with you, Shantala. Just a kind word can go a long way. I have experienced it and still cannot forget about certain instances to this day.
Shilpa Gupte recently posted…Inspiration.
Shanaya Tales
Kindness does leave a lasting impact, doesn’t it? 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Sulekha
Bless her…I met an angel too, also in Mumbai. I had written a post on it for an online magazine, here’s the link if you wish to read it. http://www.lassiwithlavina.com/24_7_talkischeap/it-was-a-dark-and-stormy-night-in-bombay/html
Shanaya Tales
Thanks for sharing the post, Sulekha. I will certainly check it out. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
G Angela
Yes I did have experienced unexpected kindness, specially when I a riding… a couple of times I had total strangers who helped me when I fell once right in the middle of the road, another time My bike could not start and I found a guy in a uniform from maruthi motors come right upto me and helped me start the bike…
G Angela recently posted…K –FOR KODAIKANAL
Shanaya Tales
That was very kind of them. We are lucky to have come across such people. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Chicky
Oh yes! So many times! The world is of kind people.
Chicky recently posted…A to Z of Blogging: K – Kaleidoscope #atozchallenge @AprilA2Z
Shanaya Tales
I agree. I feel that many a times we overlook the goodness around us. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Suzy
How sweet of that lady – that is true kindness. Thanks for sharing your story.
Suzy recently posted…Love is in the Air – Kingship
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked it, Suzy. Thanks for reading. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Geets
Small acts of kindness do have huge impact.
Good to know about your experience Shanaya.. 🙂
Cheers
Geets recently posted…K- Karma
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked it, Geetika. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Soumya
Awww such people are rare these days.
I’m glad you got to meet someone like this.
Soumya recently posted…J: Joker
Shanaya Tales
I am glad too. 🙂 Thanks for reading. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Archana
Yes I have and its was a big boost to my morale. Such an inspiring post. 🙂
Archana recently posted…K is for KNP
Shanaya Tales
Thank you, Archana. Glad you liked it. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Shailaja
This brought a tear to my eye, because it speaks volumes about the kindness of strangers and where would we be without our fellow beings? I am so glad we have stories like this to look back upon in the midst of our worries. Lovely, Shantala.
Shailaja recently posted…Killing- #AtoZChallenge @AprilA2Z
Shanaya Tales
Very true, Shailaja. Kindness does leave a lasting impact. Glad you liked it. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Shirley Corder
Thanks Shanaya. Yes, I once received a similar blessing of encouragement from someone of a different faith and culture to me. This woman was not allowed to uncover her hair in public, yet when she realised I was about to lose my hair due to chemotherapy, she took off her beautiful scarf in a restaurant and taught me how to fold it. I’ve never forgotten the way she reached out to me at a time I felt so low.
Shirley Corder recently posted…J is for Jo’burg, City of Gold
Shanaya Tales
Oh that was so incredibly kind of her, Shirley. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Debbie D.
How wonderful to meet such a kind person at the exact moment that you needed one! ☺ Yes, I have been pleasantly surprised by unexpected acts of kindness (but not all that often), and try to help those in need as well.
Debbie D. recently posted…#AtoZChallenge: K is for KNICK-KNACK
Shanaya Tales
They do have a way of showing up right when we need them, don’t they? 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Debbie. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Random Act of Kindness by a Stranger #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z