Doing something nice for someone can be just as pleasing as someone doing something nice for you. Knowing that you've given back to someone who needed help and being selfless in your behaviour is a rewarding experience and, if you can, it's something that we should all be doing often.
One person who knows all about the benefits of giving back is Kent State student Mackenzie Mauller. Mauller was using her local Starbucks drive-thru and decided that she would pay for the stranger behind her's coffee as well.
While this action may seem fairly minimal and just a small, but kind, gesture - the response that Mauller received was anything but minimal.
After getting home later that day, a letter arrived in her mailbox from the woman she'd helped. In it, the woman thanked Mackenzie for making her day and the impact that her gesture had on her. It read:
"Thank you for the coffee! I rarely go to Starbucks and treat myself, but the last couple of months have been a bit of a struggle. My father just passed away and he was also my babysitter. My family and my children have had a really hard time. This morning my babysitter called off sick and I had to take the day off work. I decided to buy my kids breakfast and get myself coffee with total guilt because I am going to become a stay-at-home mom for a while.
"Since I was not planning on going this route in my life, I was not emotionally and financially prepared to quit working. I cried when I found out you were so sweet to buy my coffee and thrilled to see you in a couple houses down from where I live. I felt it necessary to know that what you did for me was more than just a coffee. It was something that turned my whole day around, put tears in my eyes and a smile on my face and I feel so grateful."
Mackenzie took to Twitter to spread a message about the impact small acts can have on people. Uploading two images of the letter, she wrote: "Yesterday I bought coffee for the lady behind me at Starbucks.. later in the day I found this in my mailbox. Small acts can make a big difference folks, spread some kindness."
Understandably, given the tear-jerking nature of the story, many people flocked to the social media platform to share their admiration for the student and her act of kindness.
The recipient of the free coffee, Nicole Clawson, also chimed in. She revealed that her children knew the feel-good story had taken off on social media and said that it had served as a lesson about the importance of assisting others - even if they're complete strangers.
"By the way, my children have been aware and apart of all of this since the beginning. This has been such a great learning opportunity for them, on how to treat others, no matter what. They are excited to pay it forward, and treat others with kindness and selflessness."
Even Starbucks popped up to praise the selfless act.
No, I'm not crying. I have hayfever.
