Pay it forward

I had something happen to me about a month ago and my first inclination was to run and post it on this blog but as with everything else daily life got in the way and I put it off.  The new campaign that Starbucks is having prompted me to share my little story.

I am a habitual Starbucks drinker and I sit in the line every morning to get my drink of choice.  One morning the line was exceptionally long and the cars were all trying to squeeze in from every direction.  I waved a car through in front of me in order to help the traffic flow in from the opposite direction. Little did I know that would earn me a free Latte.  The kind person appreciated my gesture and told the Barista that she was buying my drink.  I couldn't believe it.  Her simple message was to pay it forward.  It is these simple random acts of kindness that really nourish the soul.  It made my day. It was such a simple gesture but it does restore your faith in people.  We hear so much negativity on a daily basis and forget that there are all sorts of good, kind people out there.

In my business I witness the goodness in people on a daily basis.  We install micro markets in corporate accounts that work on the honor system. Whenever I make a presentation on these markets everyone's first concern is theft.  The reality is most people are good and most people want to do the right thing.  There is virtually little to no theft in these markets at all.  I was skeptical at first too but every single day I witness the system work. These markets really restored my faith in humanity.  We even had a day where there was a technical glitch and everyone was asked to take their product and keep the packaging so that they could go back, scan, and pay later.  There were absolutely no shortages on that day what so ever.  I would never believe this if I didn't have the experience of witnessing this myself.

Starbucks has added a new campaign encouraging their customers to pay it forward.  I would like to think they started this due to my little story that I shared with them but of course we know that isn't the case.    

I just think with all the partisan politics, the Government shut down, Syria, mass shootings etc etc that we need to realize that the majority of us out there are good and know the right thing to do.  I say thank you to the stranger who bought my Starbucks and thank you to the employees that frequent my markets for restoring my faith in humanity.