My 10-year-old just learned how to make balloon animals. She bought a bunch of balloons and materials with her own money. She was so excited to acquire a new skill, and in a matter of hours, she learned to make a few shapes, a dog, a sword, a crown, and a hat. She became very good at it. I didn’t expect what would happen two days later.
When she explained she wanted to make balloon animals for the kids in the community, I thought at first that she wanted to sell them as she usually likes to do; setting up stands to sell her art or lemonade. She explained, “I want to give them for free. I want to make kids happy”.
The next day we set up the balloon stand with signs that read “FREE,” and I posted it on the neighborhood Facebook page to let everyone know. The turnout was great, and the whole experience was a tremendous success.
It was a hot day, and she insisted on staying as long as possible so many kids could get their balloons. She was so happy and beamed with pride after every balloon animal she made. She worked hard, failed a few times only to bounce again and redo the balloon as she insisted on making them to order. The joy she experienced seeing other kids amazed by her skill, happy with their balloons, and parents appreciating her offer made her endure the heat and made it all worth it in the end.
When she did this, she didn’t know that what she did was a random act of kindness. She just wanted to make other kids happy for no other reason because it also made her happy seeing the smiles on other kids’ faces.
Her kindness was met with more kindness in return. Some gave her money for her effort, some gave her snacks, and all gave her thanks and appreciation. Many people posted pictures of their kids happily holding their balloon animals with words of encouragement and thanks.
It was all her idea and hard work. She wanted to share her newly found talent and make it a reason for someone else’s happiness.
Years ago, when my older daughter was about the same age, we went to the store to buy her a new toy. She was so happy that she found the one she wanted so badly, and it was the only one on the shelf. When we were about to go to check out, she overheard a younger girl telling her dad that this was the same toy she wanted and that she was sad it was the last one.
My daughter felt terrible, and she whispered to me that she would pretend that she didn’t want the toy anymore and would put it back on the shelf for the other girl to have. So, she put the toy back loudly, saying she didn’t want it. The little girl happily grabbed the toy.
My daughter didn’t know what she did was a random act of kindness. She didn’t expect anything in return. She just wanted to make another girl happy. The father noticed and leaned in and thanked her for her kindness. She was happy and proud of herself.
