I’m sure you’ve heard of the value of a random act of kindness to boost your spirits, right? But, what does that look like? Is it paying for the Starbuck’s order for the customer behind you? Maybe it’s allowing someone to go in front of you in traffic? Any spontaneous self-less act that makes life a little easier counts as a random act of kindness. This week, my Front-Row Friday message – although coming to you on a Saturday – is a story of a stranger blessing the life of Shawn Warner. Shawn is an Army Vet who lost his job. While out of work, he took the opportunity to write a novel. Fast forward to him being at a Kroger Grocery store doing a book signing. The thing was, he didn’t have many customers. Until, Jerrad Swearenjin noticed him sitting there alone on a folding chair behind a folding table, waiting for someone to come and buy a book. Jerrad struck up a conversation and bought a book. Shawn’s whole energy shifted in appreciation. Jerrad started to leave, then had an idea. He came back to the book-signing table and asked to record a video telling Shawn; “I have a Tik Tok channel and I’d like to buy a second book and do a give-away to one of my followers.”
Well, that simple act of kindness turned Shawn into an internet sensation! To date he has over 17 million hits on the video and people from all over the world started buying his book. At first, they bought it out of kindness, but then they read it and started leaving phenomenally positive reviews. I saw this story on the Today show and Shawn’s life has been blessed beyond measure. It doesn’t take much to make an impact on someone’s life! Today, think of what you can do to show a stranger kindness. Happy Front-Row Friday and I’ll see you in the Front-Row!
Have a great Front-Row Friday!
Your Head Usher,
Marilyn
