“Kindness is free.”
A few years ago, my concert buddy and I boarded a plane to go see Jason Isbell in concert. Again.
I sat in the middle, flanked by my friend at the window and a woman who took the aisle seat. Shortly after she sat down, she pointed to blood trickling down the window next to my friend, and we realized his arm was bleeding. Before we knew what was happening, she reached into her bag and offered up a Band-Aid.
“Kindness is free,” she said.
I think about her often. Those words echo in my brain, and I’m deeply grateful to her. It wasn’t just the act of kindness; it was the smile on her face and the joy in her eyes.
Unlike the plane ticket, the kindness and the joy and the lesson were all free.
For my part, I continue to take the steps to get back into the swing of earning a living and feeling financially secure. It hasn’t happened yet. But it will. I’m sure of that.
In the meantime, I have been exploring all sorts of ways to have a good time without spending a dime. Kindness, while at the top of my list, isn’t the only way to generate some good vibes. Here are just a few:
1. Pass-a-grille Beach
Recently, my partner and I have made Friday night “Beach Night.” We talk in the water until our hands get wrinkly, we breathe in the salty air, and watch the sky perform its magic as the sun dips beyond the horizon. It is pure heaven and has become sacred to us.
2. The Library
I am one of those weirdos who used to say “I love the library!” and never go. Now, I go. I love being surrounded by stacks and stacks of treasures. My most recent discovery is a book called “Laundry Love.” (I am a compulsive laundry doer). Also, thanks to a tip from one my good friends, I discovered you can get free passes to local museums from the library, too. Library Love is more like it.
3. Movie Night
My son loves sports. I mean loves sports. I, on the other hand, have gone to the movies by myself on more than a few Super Bowl Sundays. (I know, I know). Although not exactly free, we check out what’s available on our streaming platforms and have explored a wide range of movies. Here is sample of some recent cinematic delights: “Easy A”, The Parralax View”, “In the Mood for Love”, and “Everybody Wants Some.” Some good, some great, but the post-show commentary – priceless.
4. The Dog Park
I used to drop my golden retriever Margo at doggie day care, which she loved. Now, we go to the dog park, which I’m not sure she loves, but, ya know, we’ve all got to do our part, even Margo. However, petting sessions, walks round the neighborhood, and attempts at fetch – all free.
5. The Furniture Store
I’m a design junkie and can’t resist checking out new (and old) furniture stores. We entered a monolith of a building, wandering around glassy eyed from looking at STUFF, until we entered an enormous, darkened room filled with rows and rows of mattresses. We hopped from mattress to mattress, like two little kids who were getting away with sneaking into the grownup’s bed. A few minutes later, we found the holy grail - the massage chair display! We were about to pass them by until we saw a woman smiling ear to ear as she was encapsulated in one of these contraptions. We each climbed into one, and oohed and aaaahed our way through ten minutes of agonizing bliss. Even our feet were given the star treatment.
The moral of this little substack is there are truly unlimited possibilities to create magical moments – with or without spending a dime. I’m lucky, very lucky, to have a slew of great people (and a furry dog) who help remind me that the best things in life, truly, are free.
…and please feel free to comment our your simple pleasures!
I particularly enjoyed this one. Thanks.