Since my recent FB post about dealing with significant difficulties, I’ve thought often about my own words and how one never knows what another person is dealing with: “When you see some lighthearted post from me on Facebook, never forget that there is almost always more to the story.” Being kind, always, is a good practice and one that’s been more on my mind of late than usual.

Today I was able to put into practice my new determination to always be kind. I conducted some business at a local furniture store and was annoyed later when the sales woman called to say she had forgotten to have me sign an important document. Because I didn’t have access to a fax, I had to return to the store right in the middle of rush hour. You know how much I love traffic.

On the short return ride to the store I stewed about the traffic I was going to get stuck in, the favorite parking spot I was going to lose at the apartment complex, and the real reason this had happened – the obviously alcoholic breath of the saleswoman who had clearly been drinking at lunch. I thought about how the store should apologize profusely and give me a price break on some aspect of my purchase.

But when I walked in I remembered that it wasn’t the “store” that would be apologizing but the sales woman, and who knew what she might be dealing with? What if she was dealing with a major difficulty in her life? What if her worry about that difficulty prevented her from fully focusing on her job? What if she had difficulty remembering details? No matter what the issue might be, or even if there wasn’t any issue at all, I saw the situation as a great opportunity to be kind.

She approached me with the requisite apology and a discounted delivery price but I gave her the best smile I could, assured her that it was no trouble, thanked her for the discount and asked another question or two about the scheduled delivery. I’m sure it wasn’t the best smile I’ve ever smiled – I’m not an actress and I was annoyed, after all, as I’m sure none of you are surprised about. But I did my best to reassure her and left her smiling. It felt good and got even better as I treated myself to a cheeseburger from Five Guys and a quick shopping spree at TJ Maxx. None of you are surprised at that either, I’m sure.

I was raised in a conservative Christian home, attended a Christian school and went to church three times a week. Ephesians 4:32 was a steady thought amongst all the Christian values: “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another…” But somehow I never picked up a vibe of kindness to strangers; it always felt more about being kind to family and friends, especially siblings, at least as I remember it.

For me now, however, being kind, always, is not only about those you know but also clearly about strangers. And while I will continue to try being kind to everyone, I’m going to be especially aware of kindness to strangers. I just think the world would be a better place if everyone was kind to strangers, don’t you agree?