Do Something Good Today and Every Day

I decided to go through a drive-thru on my way home to Sierra Madre after work today. Nasty habit, I know, but I was overcome with laziness and just couldn't see myself cooking tonight. So I gave in to the urge to take the easy way out and grab something greasy and unhealthy. Anyway, enough of the self-bashing and onto why I decided to write today.

The guy in front of me must have been ordering for some type of catered event, because the wait in line was reeeeeeeee-dic. As I sat in my fairly new, very air conditioned automobile blaring my favorite tunes, I happened to glance in my rear-view mirror.

There I saw a young woman, all of maybe 22-years-old, turning her car off whenever possible. Her windows were down, and her furrowed brow was glowing with a fine perspiration. She looked amazingly frustrated and, frankly, down on her luck.  

When I finally got up to the cashier's window (a mere 10 minutes later), I paid for my food, got my receipt, and was just about to put my debit card back into my wallet when it struck me that the girl behind me kept turning her car off and on in an effort to conserve gas.  I gave my debit card back to the cashier and told her I wanted to pay for the food for the car behind me.  

"Excuse me?"  

I repeated my request.  

"Why?"

Really? Did I need a reason? My response: "Because I want to." She finally took my card and charged me for the girl's order.  It was modest, but I hoped it would at least allow her to buy a gallon of gas.

I left before I could see her reaction, so I can't be sure she wasn't insulted, but I hope she took the gesture in the vain it was intended.

It felt good to do something for someone, even if it was something small. I've resolved to do something good every day from now on - no matter how small.  Just one good deed every day.  It might be for a stranger, a family member, a friend, or even for myself.  I just want to do something good each day in hopes that it'll have a ripple effect.

I challenge all you readers to do the same. On the flip side, be thankful for the little things people do for you. I know I am.

is Sierra Madre Patch's newest blogger. She'll be sharing stories of living in Sierra Madre, great places to walk the dog, stories from the little league circuit and, of course, cakes! Read more about Sylvia in her other inagural blog post, ""