In a world full of fake news, negative headlines, and bad people, we sometimes push positive news to the side. One of my favorite things about Facebook is when I see people sharing positive news articles or just positive stories they encounter in their everyday life. Not only does it make me smile, but it's a nice change from all the negative news and constant political fighting usually seen. So today I'm going to share my own personal positive story!

It was a normal Wednesday afternoon and my mom had called me to ask if I could stop at the grocery store on my way home to grab a bag of ice, and of course, I agreed. So I headed to the store, picked up a bag of ice, and then made my way to the '15 items or less' line. While in line, I had noticed a woman in her mid 40's a few lines over checking out who had an abundance of items. Thinking nothing of it, I ignored it at first and continued to stare at my phone. I then happened to look up again a few moments later and noticed she had left to go get another cart after her original cart was full. I was next on line. While paying for my bag of ice I looked around and realized the woman with the two shopping carts was alone and had no help. I finished paying for my bag of ice and began to head towards the exit.

While walking, this strange feeling overcame me telling me to stop and go help that woman.

My thought process in that moment was, 'Imagine if that was your mom, wouldn't you want someone to help her if it were her in that situation?'

All the thoughts and hesitations to just mind my own business and head towards the exit were immediately disregarded. I turned around, walked up to the woman, smiled and asked if she needed any help. She gave me a warm smile and tried to be modest explaining she was fine and I didn't need to take time away from my errands to help her. I stopped her and told her it was not a problem and nothing I had to do was important. She smiled again and agreed to let me help her. I helped her finish packing her groceries and then pushed one of the two carts she had to her car.

While walking to her car she had thanked me, and explained she works for Arc of Rockland in Pearl River and was responsible for the food shopping that day. Usually, there are two people for this job as it is clearly a big job, but the woman who was supposed to help her called out of work today and ended up being responsible for doing the food shopping alone. I felt bad she had to take on the responsibility of going alone and shared with her that I know the feeling when one person misses work, it can leave someone else in a predicament such as this. Once we got to her car, I helped her unload the groceries.

She then thanked me again and told me she really appreciated my help. I walked away with the best feeling in my stomach that day, I felt good knowing I had helped someone by simply offering an extra hand. I went home and proudly told my mom what had happened. She said she was proud of me and that feeling was an added bonus on top of already feeling good for helping a stranger. I'm glad I stopped that day and plan on doing it again if I ever see someone in need of an extra hand!

In no way am I trying to glorify my good deed to get praise, but instead I just wanted to share a positive story! But I am asking for something from the people reading this story:

What I want from you, the readeris to either share a good deed you have done for someone else in the comment section, or go out and do a good deed!

Then after, come back and share that story! Good deeds aren't done for praise or rewards, they're done to help others. So share your positive story, make someone else smile, and influence others to do good deeds!

The movie, "Freedom Writers" always reminds me you get one life, make it a good one and do good things, because that's how you'll be remembered!