Today I’m grateful for 8 kind words from a stranger.

11.10.2022

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I stopped by the grocery store after work. I just needed to pick up a few things and I set myself a 10 minute goal – in the store, get my items, check out and back in my car in 10 minutes. I was on a mission.

I was rounding the corner out of the baking supplies aisle and was heading straight for the checkout with my head down, when I heard the stranger’s words. “You look so pretty. I love your outfit.”

I was positive she was talking to someone else. But, I looked up nonetheless and saw a young woman steering her cart toward mine. We were the only two in the area and she smiled directly at me when I looked up. I was almost completely past her before I got the words “thank you” out.

That was it. Our whole interaction. But it changed my day.

I have to admit, I wasn’t feeling very pretty or well put together in that moment. It had been one of those mornings where I hated all my clothes and tried on 6 things before I settled on an outfit. And then after a day of teaching my hair was pulled up in its typical messy bun and I was eager to get home and put on my comfies.

As I purchased my groceries and headed to my car (in 14 minutes, not 10) I became aware that my body had literally relaxed, and without even thinking about it I had traded my furrowed brow for a smile. Thank you, kind stranger, for helping me walk out of the store much lighter than I walked in. Thanks for making me feel beautiful. Thanks for waking me up to the present moment. And thanks for the reminder of the power of a few kind words from a stranger.

I hope I can be that stranger to someone else. I’m sure going to try.