This Is How I Roll

I believe in doing at least two good deeds a day. I yearn to help those that look like they might need a little support. Sometimes I just go up to the quiet person in the room all alone and ask him his name or if he watched the game last night, for example, and this will spark a whole conversation. Other times I compliment someone on her hair or shoes, just to make her smile.

My father encouraged me to do good deeds since I was a youngin’. He is also a really nice person and is always thinking of others before himself. My father, like me, starts conversations with people we know and total strangers. For example, my father and I might be at the movies and my father will see another man and go up to him, “Excuse me, but that is such a remarkable sweater!! Is it made out of wool?” Just like that he starts a discussion with someone he doesn’t even know and makes that man feel unique.

My favorite time I used this belief was at my high school. There were a lot of cliques there, but I just floated throughout a few because I couldn’t stick to one and I was friends with everyone. For example, when it was prom and a couple of the popular boys asked me to go with them I said I already had a date. I choose to go with Jeffrey, he wasn’t considered the coolest or cutest but I didn’t care. I just wanted to boogie!! I made his night and the school started to respect him after that. I had a great night shaking my thang. That’s all I cared about.

I share this belief everywhere I go. Every time I go back to Spaulding Rehab to visit the nurses and doctors that took terrific care of me when I needed it the most, I bring gifts for children who are where I used to be. For six months I could not verbally talk, could barely walk, was getting nourishment through a tube and felt very vulnerable. It makes me feel so ecstatic to see them smile even though they are in hospital beds and might have tubes coming somewhere out of their bodies. Another time is every day at school where I am supposed to be getting help but instead I choose to assist others. One more example of me using this belief is every summer I go through my clothes and bring the attire that I do not want any more to my camp and give them to the other girls there. They are all overjoyed and are very grateful.

I do remember one time my belief was tested. I was at The Clubhouse, a day program in the middle of down town Haverhill, I saw an elderly man slouching in a chair. He looked mournful and lonely so I pulled up a chair and said, “Hey do you want a cup of coffee?” Rudely he replied, “Who are you?! Can’t you see I was trying to sleep?” I got up quickly and dashed away to go behind the café. Let’s just say I did not get to do my two good deeds that day, well not unless you include me smiling at people. This one old bitter man did not break down my belief, no sir! Although at first I felt shocked that maybe I did something wrong but had to keep trying I cannot just give up because one person is in a crappy mood!! This is what makes me who I am. This belief enables me to build strong connections with friends while making mental peace, joy, and sharing the happiness.

This belief is important to me because I know how it feels to have no friends or be the black sheep in the room. But aren’t we all black sheeps at the beginning? We all do not know each other at first until we get to know one another and feel comfortable. All I am saying is be nice to one another because what comes around goes around and you never know when you will need some assistance from your fellow human begin. If I did not believe in this I would be a totally different woman! I would definitely not be as nice, friendly, happy and nonjudgmental.