Edit desk: Paying it forward

It all started out with a simple question: “How many more weeks of school do you have left?” asked my cheery manicurist as I slipped my toes into the warm, bubbly water of the foot bath. I replied that I had a few weeks left and that I was excited to almost be done with school. I simply smiled at the woman who was sitting next to me as I adjusted my chair in the perfect position, and she smiled back. What happened next was because I was given what my family would call the gift of gab.

As I started to relax, the woman and I started a conversation. This conversation had a huge impact on me not just for the rest of the day, but also gave me a little inspiration. This conversation also led to something that I will never forget.

We talked about all different topics, from what I was majoring in to what my plans were after graduation to what Rachel Ray was cooking on the nearby television. We talked about what our favorite TV shows were and whom we both thought might win Dancing With The Stars.

After the pedicures were over, the manicurist proceeded to set our manicure stations near each other so that we could continue on with our conversation. We talked throughout our whole manicures, as well.

The woman was all finished with her manicure when she stood up and gathered her things. She told me congratulations on graduating and to have a great weekend. She ended the conversation as simply as it began — with a smile. I thanked her and smiled back. She then proceeded to walk up to the register to pay.

A short time later, I was all finished. I gathered my things and walked up to the register to pay. I was beginning to take out my wallet when the cashier proceeded to tell me that I did not owe anything.

“What?” I asked, a little confused. The woman at the register went on to tell me that the woman I had been talking with had paid for my manicure and pedicure. I was completely shocked. I mean, I didn’t even know her name. I thought to myself how kind it was for someone to do that after knowing me for a little over two hours.

I tried to get the woman’s information, but the nail salon would not give it to me because she had wanted to remain anonymous. As I walked to my car, I could not help but think about the kindness I had received from a complete stranger and how it had added a sparkle to my day.

This made me want to do something. Something that I could do to pay it forward to an unsuspecting person.

My chance to do something came sooner than you might think.

The next day, I went to get gas and decided to grab a Starbucks before heading home. I went through the drive-through, and a car pulled up behind me when I was placing my order. When I reached the window to pay for my order, I asked the cashier to add the car’s order to my bill. The cashier looked at me puzzled and even asked me if I knew them. I replied that I did not, but wanted to do something nice for a person that was not expecting it.

I also did it because the woman at the nail salon inspired me. She inspired me to want to pay it forward to someone, and it made me feel good that I was helping someone out. I also hoped, as I pulled out of the Starbucks drive-through, that I inspired the person in the car to maybe give the same gesture I gave them, and for this train of kindness to continue. It all starts with just one person — but if the right person receives the gesture, they too might want to surprise a random person with their kindness.

So, my challenge for all of you reading this is to pay it forward to an unsuspecting person. It does not have to be paying for someone’s manicure or someone’s coffee. It could be helping someone put their groceries in their car, helping someone reach something off the top shelf in a store or even just opening a door for him or her. The simplest gesture can go a long way.

Whatever the deed is, know that you might inspire that someone to pay it forward to someone else.