🏁 Axios Finish Line: Kindness continued

Plus: Holiday spirit | Monday, November 14, 2022

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Walmart   Axios Finish Line By Mike Allen, Erica Pandey and Jim VandeHei ·Nov 14, 2022 Nov 14, 2022 Welcome back! Smart Brevity™ count: 527 words ... 2 mins.     1 big thing: Kindness abounds Illustration: Natalie Peeples/Axios   We're back with another installment in our series on spreading kindness. Why it matters: We underestimate how big of a difference even the tiniest random acts of kindness can make in others lives. Here are stories from Finish Line readers who spread or received kindness from strangers to inspire us all to pay it forward. "I carry extra umbrellas in my car and when I see anyone during an unexpected rainstorm getting soaked I roll down my window and give them one. They are always surprised." —Bonnie S., Asheville, N.C. "A few years ago I worked at a video rental store. I was the only person working Friday night, and there was a line of about 10 people at the register. When the last person in line finally got to the front, he said, 'Do you like Coke or Sprite?' and he bought me a soda from the store's fridge. ... It made such an impact on me that the person who had to wait the longest was so patient and kind towards me." —Becky M., Chicago, Ill. "We live in a homeowners association, which was developed in 1986. ... Some folks came in early and are getting quite old. I am 84. My neighbor doesn't get around easily, so I put his trash out for him once a week. After the pickup, while putting his container back, I usually see two or three neighbors up and down the block doing the same for their neighbors." —Fred R., Tucson, Ariz. "Some 30 years ago, I was working on recovery from a horrible depression. It was harder than anything I've ever done. One morning, it took everything I had to make a grocery run. As I dragged myself toward the store, a man looked at me and smiled, saying, 'Good morning.' I felt so much weight lifted off me. I could, for the first time in months, see a way out of my sadness." —Sherri W., McKinney, Texas "I walked into my apartment building, reading Finish Line's acts of kindness. I looked up and saw two large Amazon boxes for a neighbor on my floor. Your stories influenced me to save my neighbor a trip downstairs — and to meet "smile to smile' for the first time." —Kelsey Z., London, U.K. "I was walking in upper Manhattan with a 2-year-old on my shoulders. A man stopped me and pointed to my untied shoe. With hand gestures — he spoke Spanish and I didn't — he signaled that he would tie it for me. And he did." —Mike H., Simsbury, Conn. The bottom line: Seemingly small acts of kindness make big splashes that stay with people years — or even decades — later. Got your own stories? Share them with us at finishline@axios.com. Share this story.     A message from Walmart Walmart's investments help customers save on their Thanksgiving meal     This holiday season, Walmart is removing inflation on an entire basket containing traditional Thanksgiving items. Why it's important: The company has made significant investments on top of their everyday low prices to provide savings to American families when they need it most. Learn more.     🍞 Break bread Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios   As you think about holiday plans, Finish Liner Michael M. from New York City sent us this worthy suggestion to pay it forward this season: "Think of someone who may not have a place to celebrate any of the holidays, and invite them to join — it is a blessing and it matters."   Are you a fan of this email format? It's called Smart Brevity®. Over 300 orgs use it — in a tool called Axios HQ — to drive productivity with clearer workplace communications.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: