The Traveling Good
Let’s go and do good while on vacation.
Traveling together with my family is one of my life’s most enriching experiences — new sights, new cultures, new memories and loads of laughs. But as I’ve gotten older and stronger in my faith, I have realized that too much of worldly things is not what gives me fulfillment. Getting my passport stamped, taking scenic photos and dining at fabulous restaurants is wonderful but there is something gratifying about traveling with purpose: doing good as you go.
Several years ago, my husband and I decided that we wanted to be intentional and leave a positive impact in whatever place we were visiting. Our mission: “Let’s see who crosses our path today and what good we can do.” We remind ourselves that it does not have to be a grand gesture. It is not anything that is pre-planned. What we are doing are simple spontaneous acts that involve spreading kindness like confetti. By traveling good, we not only hope to enrich the lives of others — but this also allows us to strengthen our own marriage bond; while building memories that are rooted in purpose, compassion and connection.
I read something the other day that asked, “Why is it important to be kind?” The response was: we walk past hundreds of people every single day, and none of them wear signs that say, “I’m grieving,” “I’m exhausted,” or “I’m barely holding it together.” Kindness might be the only softness they receive that day.
Kindness, we’ve discovered, is the best kind of souvenir. It doesn’t clutter shelves or collect dust. It doesn’t fit in an overnight bin or glove compartment. Our journey is never just about the places. It is about the people.
I remember the day when we brought kindness on a sunny afternoon while walking the historic streets of Baltimore, Maryland. A homeless man was sitting in front of a convenient store with his blanket and a sign asking for help. My husband is the perfect partner in bringing kindness because he said to this man, “Let’s go into the store and I’ll buy you lunch and whatever else you would like.” So into the 7-Eleven we all went and I watched as my husband walked with him up and down the aisles picking up an assortment of snacks and drinks.
Sometimes it’s big — a generous tip given to our server at our favorite restaurant in Pawley’s Island, South Carolina. Other times, it’s delightfully small — writing a review for our fabulous tour guide in Peru or putting in a good word to help a small business thrive in Orlando. We left a handwritten thank you note along with a little gift for our hotel staff in Asheville, North Carolina. It was a fun gesture when we sent an anonymous round of drinks over to a sweet couple that we met in our hotel in Sedona, Arizona. My husband’s gentle ritual is to stop military personnel and shake their hand and say, “Thank you for your service.” Depending on the setting, we like to buy their dinner.
I enjoyed leaving a little scripture card tucked between books in a used bookstore in Seattle, Washington last year. On another occasion, in a coffee shop in Washington DC we bought the person behind us a coffee drink. Pay it forward!
As we all know, travel doesn’t always go as planned. A few months ago, I had a 5-hr flight delay at the airport in Charleston, South Carolina. There was a woman sitting next to me at the gate that was visibly upset by the delay. I let her know everything was going to be okay and we ended up having great conversation and laughing about the situation. As we were finally boarding the plane she said, “Thank you for getting me through this ordeal today.”
We always like to offer to take pictures of families on scenic mountaintops during our hiking trips. The nice part is it is usually reciprocated so we get great pictures too.
Kindness isn’t limited to grand gestures or financial help. Sometimes, it’s the gift of time, a heartfelt compliment or simply holding the door open for someone. It’s as easy as offering a smile or sending a thoughtful message.
So you see, our kindness escapades have become a sort of game we love to play. No strings attached, no dues, no special passwords — just a commitment to making the world a bit softer wherever we land.
Kindness belongs in your travel plans.