Transforming From Scrooge to Superhero
Have you ever had a really crappy week? Like one of those, "I'm so dead that it's taking all of my effort to even think about thinking?" This past week was one of those weeks for me. I was unmotivated, unimpressed, and unhappy. The craziest part is, I couldn't even tell you why!! It may be the mid-semester blues or the fact that even when I'm not studying, I'm thinking about studying, asking myself why I'm not studying, or lecturing myself because I should be studying. They wonder why college kids are crazy...
So, I began to think to myself, Lucy, what are you going to do? You have to get out of this funk or you're going to die. (A bit extreme, but come on, I needed some motivation.) I thought about going to the gym, but I had already been there everyday this week trying to take my mind off my schoolwork. I considered walking around downtown, but I also didn't want to spend any money because college debt makes me stingier than Scrooge. So, I did what any college kid would do. I turned off the lights, crawled in bed, and thought I would take a nap.
Well, here's the thing. My nap didn't come easily. I laid there in deep thought instead. (As an INFJ, I'm hugely introspective. Find out what personality type you are here.) My mind, of course coming back to schoolwork, settled on my passion blog. Suddenly, I jolted out of bed and my motivation skyrocketed. I had forgotten that it was finally time to complete my first random act of kindness!
I had already picked this specific act off my list. It was easy and not too overwhelming for my first superhero moment. This week, I decided to pay for someone's load of laundry!
Now, I was gathering up my supplies and realized that I didn't have any coins. (I pay everything with Lion Cash, why should I have coins?) I decided that even though a load of laundry in my building only costs $2.50, I would throw in $3.00, just for fun (and the fact that it made me feel like a good person.) I packaged everything up and included a little note explaining why any college kid would be crazy enough to give away $3.00 when we're already drowning in debt.
At this point, I was beaming with excitement. I was actually so nervous that the first time I wrote the note explaining my act of kindness, I spelled something wrong, so I had to start all over. I left my room and made my way downstairs. I kind of crept through the hallway to check if anyone was down in the basement. This act of kindness was supposed to be random, so I didn't want anyone to see me. I walked into the laundry room and the coast was clear. Phew, here we go. I hadn't expected to be so nervous. Strategically, I picked a washer on the far side of the room that would be out of sight from curious onlookers. I wanted to make sure that the person who got my money was actually going to spend it on laundry (not that they might just take the money and run, but I was hopeful.) I taped my little package to the washer, and out I went.
As I walked back to my room, all I could do was smile. I can't wait for the person to find my note and share in this small act of kindness. By giving, I had completely turned my day around. I went from unmotivated, unimpressed, and unhappy to excited, content, and joyful.
Now, all that's left to do is wait. I included a message that read, "If you're interested, share how this random act of kindness has affected you." I included my phone number, but I'm still hoping the whole thing will stay random and anonymous. I am curious to know how one small, but heartwarming act may affect others in my community.
Here's the thing ladies and gentleman, a random act of kindness only costed me $3.00. That's $3.00 that I could've spent doing a variety of things that were much worse for me (like eating at Taco Bell or buying three slices at Canyon Pizza.) I can't tell you how one small act of kindness changed my mood and hopefully changed someone else's day for the better. Yes, random acts of kindness are exciting for the receiver, but as the one who is making someone's day a little brighter, I felt like a superhero.
So, I began to think to myself, Lucy, what are you going to do? You have to get out of this funk or you're going to die. (A bit extreme, but come on, I needed some motivation.) I thought about going to the gym, but I had already been there everyday this week trying to take my mind off my schoolwork. I considered walking around downtown, but I also didn't want to spend any money because college debt makes me stingier than Scrooge. So, I did what any college kid would do. I turned off the lights, crawled in bed, and thought I would take a nap.
Well, here's the thing. My nap didn't come easily. I laid there in deep thought instead. (As an INFJ, I'm hugely introspective. Find out what personality type you are here.) My mind, of course coming back to schoolwork, settled on my passion blog. Suddenly, I jolted out of bed and my motivation skyrocketed. I had forgotten that it was finally time to complete my first random act of kindness!
I had already picked this specific act off my list. It was easy and not too overwhelming for my first superhero moment. This week, I decided to pay for someone's load of laundry!
Now, I was gathering up my supplies and realized that I didn't have any coins. (I pay everything with Lion Cash, why should I have coins?) I decided that even though a load of laundry in my building only costs $2.50, I would throw in $3.00, just for fun (and the fact that it made me feel like a good person.) I packaged everything up and included a little note explaining why any college kid would be crazy enough to give away $3.00 when we're already drowning in debt.
At this point, I was beaming with excitement. I was actually so nervous that the first time I wrote the note explaining my act of kindness, I spelled something wrong, so I had to start all over. I left my room and made my way downstairs. I kind of crept through the hallway to check if anyone was down in the basement. This act of kindness was supposed to be random, so I didn't want anyone to see me. I walked into the laundry room and the coast was clear. Phew, here we go. I hadn't expected to be so nervous. Strategically, I picked a washer on the far side of the room that would be out of sight from curious onlookers. I wanted to make sure that the person who got my money was actually going to spend it on laundry (not that they might just take the money and run, but I was hopeful.) I taped my little package to the washer, and out I went.
As I walked back to my room, all I could do was smile. I can't wait for the person to find my note and share in this small act of kindness. By giving, I had completely turned my day around. I went from unmotivated, unimpressed, and unhappy to excited, content, and joyful.
Now, all that's left to do is wait. I included a message that read, "If you're interested, share how this random act of kindness has affected you." I included my phone number, but I'm still hoping the whole thing will stay random and anonymous. I am curious to know how one small, but heartwarming act may affect others in my community.
Here's the thing ladies and gentleman, a random act of kindness only costed me $3.00. That's $3.00 that I could've spent doing a variety of things that were much worse for me (like eating at Taco Bell or buying three slices at Canyon Pizza.) I can't tell you how one small act of kindness changed my mood and hopefully changed someone else's day for the better. Yes, random acts of kindness are exciting for the receiver, but as the one who is making someone's day a little brighter, I felt like a superhero.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who struggles with this new atmosphere of academics of college! I think about my own personal struggles a lot, and wonder if anyone else is going through the same type of experiences. Often, I come to realize that people are going through much worse everyday, and sometimes a random act of kindness can go a long way.
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