Here’s a beautiful story of kindness, doesn’t matter how much or how little you have, you can always give kindness. 

Our son, Brian often goes to Matt’s bench to feel closer to Matt, to sit, contemplate and enjoy the beauty of nature, and maybe talk to Matt.  A few weeks ago, around Matt’s birthday, Brian decided to go visit Matt’s bench.  He took a kindness rock, as he often does, to leave at the bench for others to find.  These are little rocks that we’ve painted with kindness quotes on them.  On this day, the temperature was literally 0 degrees in Boulder so Brian drove down, parked his car, and walked to where Matt’s bench was. 

As he was walking to the bench, a voice from behind him asked, “Hey buddy, can you spare some change?” 

Brian turned, said sorry, he didn’t have any money on him.  Brian looked at the guy who was wearing three winter coats and was obviously homeless, looked down at the rock in his hand, which read, “Be Kind”, thought of Matt and said, wait a minute, I’ll go back to my car and get some money for you, just wait here a minute. 

Brian ran back to his car, all he had was a $20 bill so he brought that and gave it to the man.  Then started talking with him, asking where he was from, how long he’d been here, just general conversation.  Brian told the guy why he had the rock and about Matt and how he was going to put the rock on Matt’s bench. 

This man, who had nothing but the clothes on his back and $6 in his pocket plus the $20 from Brian, said, “I want you to take the $20 back and put it on Matt’s bench for me.” 

This man needed that $20 more than anyone but after hearing about Matt he wanted to give up that money for someone else.  I am so humbled by his words and actions.

Of course, Brian said no, he wouldn’t take back the $20, insisting the man keep it.  The man thought about it and then said at least take something, reached into his pocket, where his $6 was, and gave Brian the $5 bill, and asked him to please put it under the rock on Matt’s bench for him.  Brian did, and that was a kindness too, allowing this man who was struggling, to receive the benefits of the joy of giving kindness.

There is so much ripple in those kind acts, you can see the start of the kindness ripple but you never know how far out that ripple travels.  I believe the person who finds that rock and the $5 will feel the love.  Who knows if that person will send out some kindness because of the positive feelings, I think so, kindness is contagious. 

As for the homeless man, I hope the joy of kindness helped ease his suffering.  I hope he knows his act of kindness makes a difference.  I hope he finds peace and happiness. 

Is there someone who inspires you with their kindness?  Nominate them for the Matt Kurtz Kindness Award of $250.

Do you have an act-of-kindness project you want to do but need help funding it?  Submit your idea for the Matt Kurtz Kindness Grant of $250 and let us help you spread kindness.