  Spiritual
This week: Scenes from a Restaurant Edited by: Shannon  
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I haven't been the recipient of very many surprises in my life. I've had a few, though: a baby shower for my first child, the staff of a restaurant singing "Happy Birthday" over a cake aflame with candles.
Surprises usually make me uncomfortable. As an introvert, I don't like being the center of attention; I prefer to linger on the periphery of social get-togethers and participate from behind the invisibility cloak of my camera. I feel safer that way.
On May 31st my husband and I worked all day in our yard. We were sweaty and dirty and tired. Around 8:00 p.m. we realized we needed to go to Lowe's for some last-minute supplies. Then we remembered we needed a few things at Walmart. By the time we were done running errands it was 9:30, and we were hungry. We happened to be driving by a JB's Restaurant and decided to swing in for a quick bite.
The salad bar was delicious, and the waitress slid our tab onto the table, thanked us for choosing JB's, and refilled our drinks. As we sat there talking, sipping our iced teas, the waitress came back and removed the tab from the table. "You won't be needing this because someone already paid for your dinner."
I looked across the table at my husband. He scrunched his face in confusion. "Huh?" he asked.
"Someone paid for your meals."
"Who?" he asked as I looked around the room. I hadn't noticed anyone I knew. How strange! I thought. This kind of stuff doesn't happen to us.
"I don't know," she said. "I was just told it's been paid."
We glanced around the room, trying to decide who the good samaritan was. "I wonder if it was that older couple over there?" I nodded my head in their direction.
"Maybe," my husband said. "I said hi to her at the salad bar and we talked for a little while."
We never did find out who it was, but we left the restaurant with smiles on our faces, and I hope the tip we left made the waitress smile as well.
This experience was a simple, unexpected reminder of how a kind gesture can brighten someone's day, and I challenge everyone reading this newsletter to do something kind for someone else this week, preferably someone you don't know. It doesn't have to cost any money, like paying our dinner tab did. It can be something as simple as helping an elderly man load groceries into his car, or letting the mom with a crying baby on her hip go before you at the DMV.
If each one of us performed just one act of kindness for a stranger this week, and those strangers were inspired to pay it forward, how much more lovely the world would be.
I know it's generally not considered proper form to talk about the nice things we do for others, but I'm going to make an exception. Tell me about how you made the world a more beautiful place by doing something kind for someone else and I will include your responses in next month's newsletter.
Thank you for reading.
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The following is in response to "Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes" :
Zeke  writes, "I'm not sure I really want to know how I am perceived." I know, right? I thought the same thing at first, but after I thought about it for a while I thought, You know, if we all did this, what an amazing opportunity for growth! I mean, sure, it hurts our feelings to discover some people perceive us as being cold, uncaring, frigid, but knowing we are perceived that way gives us an opportunity to change. Change is scary, but I think some change is for the better. 
shepherd46 writes, "Wonderful article, Shannon, on Ch-Ch-Changes! Changing how one comes across and how one expresses oneself; is an eye-opener! Very helpful. Thank you so much for sharing this." Aw, thank you! And thank you for taking the time to read and comment. 
Quick-Quill  writes, "Shannon. I sent this to my daughter. I love her dearly, but there are times I see myself in her. justifying our choices right or wrong. I have had to dial down my own needs as I have begun to work 2 part time jobs. How do I want to appear to my coworkers and when do I step back and allow others to make their own mistakes? I don't need to correct them. Its not my duty. I need to just do as I'm told." That can be very difficult, I know, but you are courageous. I wish you strength, peace, and blessings as you walk this path. (((hugs))) 
The following is in response to "A Team-Building Exercise" :
paeggan writes, "Shannon - I always love what you write, which reflects a thoughtful, thinking, person." Aw, you are so sweet! Thank you. You just made me smile, so thank YOU! 
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Spiritual: June 10, 2015 Issue [#7033]
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