Of Goodness and Cupcakes

I walked into Ida’s Cupcake Café to indulge a chocolate craving and joined a line of others waiting to order. The little Blonde girl in front of me approached the counter and announced, “It’s my birthday and I am doing random acts of kindness.” She looked down at a handful of dollar bills and said, “I have sixteen dollars. How many cupcakes will that buy me? Ten?”

“Uh, no. I think that buys seven small cupcakes.” The cupcake employee told her.

“Okay, then I will take seven cupcakes.” I listened as she chose frosting flavors for each and asked for individual boxes. When the woman went into the back of the store to accommodate the request, I asked, “Random acts of Kindness, huh?”

The little blonde girl turned around. “Yup.” She said, her blue eyes sparkling.

“So, what’s that like?” I asked, smiling back.

“Well, there are so many people in my life who make me smile. And today I am giving back and returning the favor.”

“In cupcakes?” I asked.

“Not all of them. My roomate needed a new picture frame, and my neighbors needed dirt for their flowers they want to plant. My mom mentioned needing something specific so I am surprising her bu buying it for her. Some of these people I know and now is just the right time to give to them. And then there are strangers. People whose names I don’t even know that are good to me and brighten my day. Like the mail man at the post office, or the lady who holds the pizza sign and dances on the corner of Greenwood and 3^rd.”

I laughed. I’ve seen that lady too.

“So how many years have you been doing this?” I asked.

“This is my first year and I am really excited. I want to keep it going year after year. I am turning twenty today and I figure twenty good deeds sounds about right.”

What I said next really surprised her.

“May I donate to your cause?”

“Oh wow! Sure! That would be so neat.”

I reached in my pocket and pulled out my tip money from that day and handed it to her.

“Wow!” she said again. “Thanks!”

It seemed perfect to give her the tip money that others had given me for my smiles.

“Hey Lady, I am going to need some more cupcakes! I now have twenty one dollars, how many cupcakes can I buy with that?” The cupcake employee who had returned with seven little boxes of delight just sighed and said, “You know what, kid, I’ll give you the full dozen.”

A few things were happening in that moment. My generosity had inspired the counter person to give more also. It was not that I was inspired to buy a dozen cupcakes and do the same, heading over to see my mail man. I didn’t have the time that day. But her cause did inspire me and I wanted to support it. I believe in the exchange of energy, of giving to those who give to you. And I also acknowledged that I had not given to a cause in a long while.

I recently created this sub-page on my Round the World Trip site asking others to live vicariously by donating to my journey. And I understand that if you want something, it is important to make physical steps towards it. If you want to win the lottery, buy a ticket. If you want others to support your cause, support theirs as well.

Decadent chocolate cupcake in hand, I wished the do-good-sprite a Happy Birthday and left the café. Reflecting back on the conversation, the one question I wish I had asked her was:

“Did you get a cupcake for yourself also?” For I have learned the importance of giving to yourself, of remembering to take care of yourself as you are meeting the needs of others.

Somewhere out there today is a gracious girl with sunshine in her hair and kindness sparkling in her eyes, surprising people in her world with the sweetness of goodness and cupcakes.