Day 11: Flower power

Being kind by giving flowers to a stranger:

Today I took a big scary step into the wonderful world of being kind to a stranger: face-to-face.

As I’d taken myself into the city for a yummy brunch, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to face this fear.

I bought a pretty little bunch of orange gerbera’s and asked the flower seller to attach my kindness card to it, with the words: Enjoy the flowers… you deserve them.

Ok, that’s the easy part done.

Now to find someone to give them to…

Gulp!

Call me crazy, but I thought an older lady – in her sixties or seventies – would be a good choice for my first attempt. I felt a younger person might be suspicious of my intentions and a man may take my gesture the wrong way: especially as I was so nervous. As I grow more confident, my intention is to do face-to-face acts of kindness to all, regardless of age or gender.

With butterflies flitting and fluttering around my tummy, I walked up and down a couple of busy shopping streets. I focused my search to those sitting on benches or waiting at bus stops, as I thought it’d be easier to approach someone who wasn’t rushing off somewhere.

I then scanned the seating areas on the city’s Market Square and finally found a couple looking happy and relaxed. The man was doing a crossword, and the lady was watching people go by.

She smiled at me as I walked by, and I knew she was the one.

My heart pounding, I approached her and told her I’d like to give her the flowers. I explained that I’m doing acts of kindness and asked if she’d accept the gerbera’s from me.

She graceful accepted them without question.

Phew, I was so grateful. I’d expected a little suspicion as to why I wanted to give a stranger flowers, and was relieved to find an open and willing recipient.

The lovely lady explained how they’re just visiting the city, and so sadly didn’t have anywhere to put them. But as she was meeting her sister-in-law later, she would pass them on: spreading the kindness, she told me with a knowing smile. WooHooooo it works!

I walked away my heart feeling happy and proud of myself for putting myself out of my comfort zone.

So with this in mind, my happy for today is being kind by giving flowers to a stranger.

 

7 thoughts on “Day 11: Flower power”

  1. I’m laughing a bit as I read this as I had the exact same fears last year. I decided to give flowers to strangers in the shopping centre near where I live but was soooo nervous. Some people were suspicious and one lady declined, which is fair enough. But one older woman I gave a flower to nearly burst into tears and gave me the biggest hug. Made it all worth it when she lit up in joy. You’ve inspired me to do this again soon! Thank you dear friend! xx

    1. I love your big beautiful heart lovely Cat. What a moving repsonse from your eventual recipient, that’s worth it isn’t it. So happy you’re inspired to do it again, I think I will too! 🙂 Xxx

  2. That brought a tear to my eye! I’m surprised to realise I’m not sure if I could do this and wondered where the fear comes from. Then I realised it’s a fear of rejection which is something I have struggled with since I was a little girl. I might challenge myself some day! Xx

    1. Awww thank you my lovely. It was scary to do and fear of rejection certainly comes into it. Don’t push yourself, you’ll know when you’re ready. Big hugs to you 🙂

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