“what you recieve as gift, you must give as gift.”  - That’s the motto of the school I spent a week visiting in Haiti last year.

It’s something I’ve always tried to remember to make a part of my daily life.  For as long as I can remember I’ve been told to be thankful for what I’ve got, and share it in return.  Whether it’s gifts, time, talent, friends, family, money or possessions.  Sharing what you have is always good.  We’ve all grown up learning to share.

And you know what?  It gets harder and harder.  When you’re a kid it’s simple.  Sharing a toy, or the attention of your younger (or older) sibling.  When you get to middle school it’s sharing your ideas or your new “toys.”  In high school you are encouraged to share you talents, develop them. Then in college it’s a whole new idea of sharing.  For me it was beyond what I had physically in my possessions and it become sharing what I had within me.  Time, talents and experiences with others.  But in a tough economy, when we’re all just barely holding on to our jobs, our homes and our lives…it’s tough to remember to share.  Which is exactly why when I received the following press release in my INBOX today…I immediately decided it was something worth pursuing.  It’s a watercooler type story:

DUBUQUE, Iowa – A lovable blue mattress has been seen gracing area restaurants, beauty shops and laundry mats, debunking economic strife and spreading good cheer.

This week, Feb. 9-13, designated as National Acts of Kindness Week, Verlo’s Mattress Man is out in full force.

“There’s no doubt; we’re all hurting financially,” Verlo Mattress Factory Stores of Dubuque franchise owner Rodney Leibfried said.  “I feel it’s times like these that paying it forward is even more necessary.”

In fact, Leibfried started his pay-it-forward campaign before Christmas, performing acts of kindness at least five times a week. Yes, he’s been greeted with strange reactions from startled faces to hysterical laughter, but he said it’s worth it.

“The first time I walked into the Village Inn Restaurant in Dubuque, I accompanied Mattress Man, and the waitress asked if I wanted a table for two,” Leibfried said. “But once I explained that I wanted to pay for someone’s lunch, her sarcasm turned to gratefulness.”
Leibfried said he’s also never sure how the recipients of his acts of kindness are going to respond.

“Mattress Man paid for a woman’s perm,” Leibfried said. “And she just couldn’t believe it. She didn’t think we were serious!”

Leibfried plans to carry the pay-it-forward torch in hopes that it will catch on. Folks in Dubuque can expect to see a lot more of Mattress Man, especially this week.

“It makes me feel good to make someone’s day,” Leibfried said. “It’s the little things; you know?”

So you see…this is so odd, yet so interesting.  I mean how can you NOT notice a large blue human mattress walking towards you, or into a restaurant and NOT stare.  It’s odd.  Just plane odd.  But it’s also bold and that’s what I like about it.

So this “mattress man” has been out this week (during lunch hour) performing random acts of kindness.  Things like, buying gas, paying for lunch, and even paying for one woman’s perm and haircut.  WOW!  I followed him around tonight.  From a gas station, to Subway to the Village Inn he randomly paid for people’s bills.  The best thing was the look on their faces as this giant mattress approached and the man with him said “Hi are you aware it’s National Kindness Act Week?”  Which was usually followed by “no.” Followed by “Mr. Verlo Mattress Man would like to buy your dinner this evening.”

The smiles on the people’s face, the shock and the confusion all combined into this oddly contagious feeling of kindness.  As my grandma used to call it….”a warm fuzzzy” :)  A feeling inside that feels so good you want to share it with others.  YOu know what I’m talking about, I know you do!

Anyway, it was a joy to follow around the Verlo Mattress Man tonight.  I was inspired, which is probably one of my favorite things.  If you’ve ever seen the movie Pay It Forward you’ll know what I mean.

Basically this class is assigned a project that will change the world.  This little boy comes up with pay it forward.  You do one good act for someone, they do a good act, then that person does a good and and it’s a domino effect.  Eventually everyone is doing good for each other.  He believes it really could change that world.  And you know what?  I believe it too.

So let this be a challenge to you and to me, and to everyone we know.  In honor of National Kindness Act Week and the movie Pay It Forward…and in honor of all the things we stand for:   DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE…RANDOMLY this week.  Whether you open the door, pay for their food, smile and them, welcome them, or cook for someone.  Whatever it maybe.

Could it be even more ironic that it’s the week before Valentine’s Day and this Kindness challenge comes out?  Well either way…I let’s do it together.  Do good…randomly….for a stranger.  Put a smile on their face and for a moment, make it seem like there is nothing too be worried about.  It goes back to the simple things we all learn as children: share.

Oh and all this was inspired by Rob Leibfried, the owner of Verlo Mattress.  It’s his idea…and I like it.

Have a good rest the week.

Lauren~

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