Random Acts of Kindness

When I first started wanting to go out while dressed as a woman, Jules and I were both pretty afraid of something bad happening to me.  I had spent many, many, many! years hiding who I am and what I liked to do.  For about 10-15 years the only person that knew about my gender variances was my wife.  We were both terrified of anyone finding out.

Eventually I shoved myself out the front door and somehow managed to start getting out in public.  And in so doing, my entire view of humanity has changed.  I have only had a small number of minor rudeness incidents from a few people as the worst that has ever happened.

I am no fool in thinking that nothing could ever happen, so I stay alert and aware of my surrounding and other’s around me.  But the amount of kindness I have received from friends, family, and strangers has been overwhelming.  And I often feel that if ever anything bad should happen, the percentage of kindness I have been shown would barely be impacted.

A few of the more recent acts of kindness that I think deserve a mention here:

1 – Jules and I were in the drive-thru at McDonald’s.  We ordered our food and began waiting in the line of cars to pay.  Nothing extra ordinary was going on.  We were just sitting and chatting.  When we got up to the window the cashier told us that we owed nothing as the guy in front of us thought we were cute and wanted to pay for our breakfast.

We were quite startled but still very appreciative of the generosity of the guy.  We waved thanks to him, and he waved back.  (Out of my paranoia I kept my eye on him and watched where he drove to, and he did the crazy thing of pulling out into the street and just driving away.)  Wow, someone just being nice, again!

2 – I visited my favorite mall recently up in Livermore, CA and of course went into the Guess store.  Every single time I have been there a super nice sales associate has remembered me.  And she is so nice, and sweet.  I wrote about her awhile back and I don’t know if I can locate that post.  She saw me, dressed as a woman, and trying on male pants.  She came over and let me know that those pants did absolutely nothing for me.  It took about five minutes of explaining to her about my gender before she understood that I was not a girl and that I buy clothes from both sides of the store.  At that time, and ever since, she has been so sweet!

3 – Jules and I went to Trader Joe’s the other day.  We normally buy cheese and flowers.  I love the cheese, and Jules and I both love the flowers.  Anyway… we normally bring a reusable bag but had forgot it.  While checking out, Jules and I were discussing this situation, with the cashier overhearing.  I told her that I would just put the cheese into my purse.  I grabbed the cheese, stuck it into my purse and said “It’s a cheesy purse!”  Too which the cashier busted up laughing and said that line was just too funny.

Just three small things from total strangers, and they are very representative of how my life has been.  But completely opposite of what I thought it would be like if I ever let anyone into my hidden little world.

I still think that by hiding I was condemning people without ever actually giving them a chance to prove to me what they will really do.  And by me stepping up, and truly being concerned with myself instead of others, I have been able to see such a beautiful side to humanity.

Maybe I am just lucky.

Maybe people respond positively when faced with confidence.

Love yourself and spread the love to others!

Photos:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:My_philosophy_is_kindness._(14277210808).jpg
https://www.sketchport.com/drawing/6133198098530304/kindness
https://www.flickr.com/photos/deeplifequotes/7788815308
https://www.flickr.com/photos/celestinechua/10506624674