Saint You

“A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.” – Saint Basil

As my mom and I finished dinner last night, I asked the waiter for the check. He came back and said that a woman at the end of the restaurant picked up the tab. On our way out, we stopped to thank her for her kindness and generosity. We exchanged names and hugs of gratitude. Unexpected grace and light.

While we don’t need the money, the gesture of generosity to strangers was the lesson. Each of us has an opportunity daily to positively impact the world through our thoughts, words and deeds. My opportunity is to accept the kindness and to pay it forward to keep it going.

A saint is defined as a “very good, kind, generous and caring person.” While few are canonized a saint, we can act like one by showing the world through simple acts of kindness. Giving and receiving, sowing and reaping.

“Teach us to give and not to count the cost.” – Saint Ignatius