I had a long flight behind me. Next to me sat a man of about my age. We did not know each other but we got along well from the start and had a good conversation. At one point I was so tired that I fell asleep. Suddenly I felt a light touch, which woke me. He had covered me because my small blanket had slipped on the ground. His touch was more accidentally than intended. The same situation repeated itself maybe three times (perhaps more often but then I slept away). Then I woke up again because I was cold. My blanket was again on the floor and he was sleeping. I felt the need to return the favour to him but there was nothing I could do for him. What he had done for me felt great. I can hardly remember who had covered me the last time – my mother? My grandmother?

How rarely are we do these small good deeds. To help someone spontaneously, to tell someone we don’t know something nice, encouraging, complimenting someone. When leaving the airplane I was satisfied but felt the need to repay the world the good I had experienced and smiled at everyone. And they smiled back. Not all, but surprisingly many. In the queue for immigration the baby buggy of a mother with a crying child in her arm toppled. Smiling I helped her to set it up again and was happy to do something good. She thanked me with a smile. When I wanted to walk on, the strap of my bag caught in something and pulled me back. But there was already a gentleman at my side and helped me to free myself. Quietly he said “I have been watching you for five minutes and see how you spread good mood. That helped me to feel better after an almost sleepless night in the airplane. Now I wanted to return it”.

Amazing how easily the world can be improved!! As usual, one just has to start with oneself.