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[Afua]

We all get bad days, don’t we? Well, I had one of those recently. I’d been let down by an organisation that represents one of the things I believe in, an organisation I’d been counting on for some support on a charitable initiative I was working on --- support that was agreed on weeks before. Nowhere in my mind did I see what they did coming, which is why it took me by surprise when it happened. It left me feeling initially shocked and numb, then disappointed, disillusioned, angry and upset.

I have a friend on Facebook, a lady whom I’ve never met, a relative stranger in some ways. When I got home that evening, I shared with her what had happened. One of the first things she said was while she felt what I was doing for others was commendable, I must remember to take time out from it and do something for myself. The ‘me’ time would help make me stronger and better equipped to deal with some of the challenges the initiative presents, such as my encounter with the organisation.

She encouraged me to start a pick-me-up that evening if I could. I didn’t, because it was getting quite late and I was ready for bed. However, we talked about music as a pick-me-up and what songs we felt like listening to.

When I woke up the next morning, I logged into Facebook and found she’d searched on YouTube for some of the songs I’d mentioned during our talk the previous night and had posted them up on my wall! I can’t tell you how it made me feel. Her gesture made me feel cared for and listened to. I tell you, it cheered me right up and started my day on a real high. I listened to, watched and sang my happy way through each song! The tea I’d made myself had gone cold. I hadn’t taken a single sip as I was too busy singing along!

The whole experience with the organisation, and then with her, has taught me a couple of really valuable lessons:

One - that kindness and disappointment can come from the most surprising of places, from places that we least expect it to, and from people we least expect it from.

And two - that there is no such thing as strangers when it’s good that comes from their encounter. We are not strangers to each other if what connects us is our greatest good.