Pay It Forward

Take a good look at this picture and tell me what you see.



Let's just state the obvious: it's a Starbucks coffee in the traditional Starbucks Christmas cup.

Don't be fooled though. There is more to this cup than just the nagging reminder that I need to start making my list and checking it twice. No, this coffee cup is significant for two reasons. The first reason being that I just discovered the Caramel Brulee Latte at Starbucks, and it has taken over my life. I dream about it in my sleep, and drool down my shirt like an infant cutting it's first tooth, whenever I drive past a coffee shop.

I can't help myself. I seem to have lost what little control I had.

But that's okay, because it brings me to my second - and most important - significant reason for this cup of coffee. It was free!

My taste buds got the best of me on Thursday afternoon, so I decided to make a quick run to Starbucks. As I pulled up to pay for my coffee, the barista leaned out the window, and with my Caramel Brulee coffee in her hands she said, "enjoy your free cup of coffee." Then noting the confused look on my face she continued, "the woman in front of you wanted to buy you a coffee and pay it forward."

That has never happened to me before, but I have to admit that as a result of this woman's kindness, my whole world lit up.

So to the woman who paid for my coffee, I want to say a huge thank you! You really made my day.

And to those of you who are reading this blog today, I want to challenge you to pay if forward too. The next time you find yourself in a drive thru, pay for the person in line behind you, and make a difference in their life.

After all, a little kindness goes a long way.