Vernon is sitting behind his glass countertop desk inspecting the clarity and grade of the full carat princess cut diamond with his client. The client is an older man in his late 70′s who is shopping for his 50th wedding anniversary. He’s wearing a top hat, black suit, bow tie, and an over coat. The old man looks like the actor, Paul Newman, who has a leading role in a 1930′s gangster movie . The only thing that’s missing is his Tommy gun.

However, the old man was far from anything "gangster." He had a peaceful energy to him and an aliveness as if each moment was his first moment. The way he looked upon the diamonds, Vernon thought, was as if it’s the first diamond he has ever seen- a fresh approach to life.

The old man is also very friendly. He thanked Vernon for each action and occasionally smiled at Vernon for no apparent reason. The old man became elated to discover that this would be Vernon’s 100th sale as a diamond retailer. And the old man was going to make sure that he wasn’t leaving the store until he had a diamond to tuck away in his overcoat.

Vernon couldn’t equally share his excitement with the old man, however. Rather than being eager to wrap up the sale and receive a bonus, Vernon saw this day as "another day another suck" in his life.

For two years now, Vernon hasn’t been able to lift his depression. He feels trapped in a dead-end job that he never wanted, but conformed to his parents wishes. He has lived alone since he moved out of his parents house a decade ago, and nobody seems interested in getting to know him. Each day is the same as the next- get up, eat, go to work, eat, watch TV, rinse and repeat. Vernon didn’t care about money. Who needs money when you are completely unhappy with every aspect of your life, Vernon thought.

After about an hour of showing diamonds to the old man, he finally came to a decision. "I’ll take that one over there," said the old man.

Phew! It’s about time, Vernon thought. I’ve been waiting for this dude to choose for an hour. Doesn’t he know it’s lunch time?

The old man looked at Vernon silently for a few moments and had a look of compassion as if he felt empathetic for Vernon’s thoughts and state of being. The old man began to speak again: "This is the most beautiful stone I’ve ever seen. It reminds me of the ring I first gave to my wife fifty years ago…"

Great, an old war story. This job can’t get any better. Man my life sucks, Vernon thought.

The old man knew Vernon wasn’t paying attention, "…then after she agreed to marry me, we had our dragons pick us up and the fairy God Mother married us. Snow White was her maid of honor and Prince Charming…are you listening, boy?" said the old man.

"Ya, for sure. Something about Prince Charming riding his dragon all the way home," said Vernon. He began to blush and caught himself mocking the client. So much for the 100th sale, Vernon thought. I’ll probably get fired, too.

Then, the old man said something Vernon will never forget, "You know, be the change you want to see in the world, boy."

"What?" said Vernon. Am I completely transparent, Vernon thought. It’s as if the old man could read every thought and emotion that he’s experienced in the past two years.

"You heard me. If you want to see change in the world you must change yourself," said the old man.

The old man reached in his pocket, pulled out a fifty dollar bill and a business card, then slapped both of them on the glass table in front of Vernon and said, "for you."

There was a short period of silence. Vernon couldn’t believe that he was receiving a fifty dollar tip after mocking the old man. Vernon opened his mouth to speak, but the old man beat him to it.

"You know, I don’t need this ring to express my love to my wife," said the old man. "If you haven’t naturally found love from fifty years of marriage, well then, you’re plain screwed. Ha! I bought this ring today because, ya, it will be enjoyable and it’s a great reminder my wife will love, but I bought this ring to come and talk to you."

"Me," said Vernon. "How special can I be? I’m a stranger to you."

"It doesn’t matter how well I know you on a personal level. We are all connected and the same," said the old man. "Can you not feel the love?

"I could of chosen a hundred different jewelers other than you. But when I was standing outside of the mall looking at you sitting at the desk, I noticed something special and true; like you’ve stripped yourself of the world.

"But you’re confused. You see that inner stillness and non-attachment to things as being worthless. That’s something the world wants you to believe in. So you work in this dead-end job and think people are not interested in you because of that confusion.

"You are so close to freedom. Hang in there. Give it a little more time for clarity. Don’t do it just yet."

What could I say to that, "don’t do it just yet?" Vernon thought. Does he know I was thinking about committing…

The old man abruptly got up from his chair and picked up the diamond from the desk. He held it up high to see the light reflect beautifully within the diamond.

The old man brought his attention to Vernon and looked at him deeply, and sincerely said, "Thank you for being alive. You’re beautiful. You’ve brought more joy to my family than you would ever know. Always remember, be the change you want to see in the world, Vernon."

Those were his final words and he walked out.

Vernon was speechless and amazed. He couldn’t move from his desk and had a fixated gaze out into nowhere. No one ever went out of there way to get to know him; let alone buy a $10,000 diamond to have a simple, friendly conversation with him. Vernon began to cry in the middle of the store. He forgot what love felt like and now he could feel it again. In that moment, Vernon remembered why life was worth living- love.

"Vernon…Vernon…Vernon!" his boss was calling. Finally, on the third call, Vernon snapped out of it and looked up at his boss.

"Wipe those tears from your face you big baby and go take a short lunch. Oh…and congratulations on your 100th ring sale," said Vernon’s boss. "More money is always better."

Vernon didn’t care about the money. The love and appreciation he felt today from the old man far out-weighed any amount of money. He sprung up from his wooden desk chair and floated out of the kiosk and into the general Mall area. Life had a new freshness to it and he was sincerely thankful for being alive. Vernon took a deep breathe to suck it all in. He then looked up to the Mall’s ceiling as if the sun was beating on his face and said, "I’m alive…and it feels good. Thank you."

After a few moments of looking around in what direction to go in, Vernon settled on the usual lunch spot to get his carrot, ginger, and beet juice smoothie. He walked up to get in line and noticed a "new girl" working behind the cash wrap. He also wondered why the line was so long? He peaked up to the front of the line to see what was going on and a customer was screaming in hysterics at the cashier: "What the hell is wrong with you! This is a brand new cashmere and your nose piercing clumsy self with shit for brains can’t do a nine dollar per hour job right! Idiot!"

The angry customer turned to the back of the line and stomped his way into the cafeteria seating area. Vernon could see the massive beet juice stain on his nice, cream color cashmere sweater. That’s too bad, Vernon thought. I guess the asshole deserved it, though.

The next customer in line became equally angry. The cashier messed up his order, twice. The customer wasn’t in hysterics as the last one, but a few "f-this, f-that, and f-you’s" were thrown out.

At this point, Vernon was nervous. What’s going to happen to me? What will I say if beet juice is poured down my pants? These are the only nice pants I got, Vernon thought.

Swirling images of the cashier from hell played in his imagination. A girl dressed in all black, seven nose piercings, and brass knuckles willing to give anyone a concussion who looked at her wrong.

"Hey, buddy," a man whispered who was standing in line behind Vernon. "It’s your turn. Your next."

It’s the moment of truth. Do or die, Vernon thought. Vernon finally picked his head up from his feet and met the cashier’s eyes. His imagination played Vernon for a fool. There wasn’t a bad ass girl standing in front of him ready to knock him out. Vernon saw a short, fair skinned women who couldn’t be older than thirty years. She was holding her tears back, but Vernon could tell she was deeply hurt.

Right as Vernon stepped forward to place his order, his 100th diamond sale came to mind. What the old man said who bought the diamond was something Vernon could never forget. Vernon reached in his pocket timidly, pulled out a card, and the fifty dollar bill. He didn’t really notice the card when the old man gave it to him. His attention was on the fifty dollars the old man gave for no reason, for "being alive," the old man said.

At first, Vernon thought the old man was weird, but no customer, let alone his boss, has ever appreciated him in that way. You see, Vernon was contemplating on taking his life that night because he couldn’t stand the severe depression. But some of the old man’s energy must of rubbed off onto Vernon. The old man’s act of random kindness showed Vernon that people really do care and he has to be the change he wants to see in the world.

Vernon flipped the card over between his fingers a few times and noticed only a few words: ARK- acts of random kindness transform yourself and heal the world.

"Can I help you," the cashier said in a soft angelic tone. Vernon was speechless for a moment and the cashier was looking at him dumbfounded.

"Well, sir, what’s it going to be? Can I help you make a decision?" Amazing, Vernon thought. He couldn’t believe that after all of the harassment she went through that the cashier held back her tears and still wanted to serve him in a nice manner.

"I’ll have the ginger, carrot, and beet juice smoothie, please." Five minutes later, Vernon had his juice in his hand and without any messes. For some strange reason, Vernon couldn’t just hand her the cash and leave. He remembered, "ARK," and an idea came to him.

"You know…those guys back there were assholes. Everyone makes mistakes. I wouldn’t sweat it. They are unhappy with themselves, trust me," said Vernon. Vernon remembered how unhappy and deeply depressed he used to be, before the old man, and how he projected his anger and hate unto others. Vernon blamed the world, but never faced himself, which was the cause of his problems.

"It won’t matter after tonight," said the cashier.

Vernon knew exactly what she was going to do because he felt the same way. What could I say that would make her happy, Vernon thought?

Vernon introduced himself and then said, "Well, you do matter and don’t let anyone tell you differently."

Vernon leaned over the cash wrap counter and opened his arms for a hug. He posed there, frozen, arms wide open waiting for the cashier to respond. You could hear a pin drop in the awkward silence. A few moments passed by and the cashier finally obliged by completing the hug.

In Vernon’s bear griping arms, the cashier replied, "My name is Joann. And it’s nice to meet you, Vernon."

A rush of blood moved through Joann and for the first time in awhile she felt wanted and loved by someone. It has been two years since her husband passed away. She hasn’t been able to get over the loss of him. His death was premature at the age of 32 and she was left alone, without purpose and meaning to life. Since she was ten years old, each and every day Joann and her husband poured each other’s life into one another. Memories of swinging on the swings together, holding hands at the bus stop, going to prom, having their first child, and cutting the wedding cake swarmed through her memory bank. Now, each waking step she took felt like the Universe was mocking her because Joe, her late husband, wasn’t by her side.

Vernon pulled away from the hug and met Joann eye to eye. He was looking at her with presence- no judgment or thought to obscure her beauty. Vernon felt the impulse to share the loving kindness he was feeling. He reached in his pocket, grabbed the fifty dollar bill and the business card, then slipped it into her tip jar. Vernon gave one last smile and walked away.

"Hey…Vernon!" Joann shouted from behind the cash wrap. "Why did you leave me that huge tip? I just gave what you ordered?"

Vernon spun around on one foot and said, "It’s because your eyes are beautiful."

Joann smiled and blushed. She couldn’t believe that a guy noticed and appreciated her. It was too late to say anything else because before she could comprehend what happened, Vernon turned the corner and was out of sight.

Later that night, Joann was sitting on her couch in darkness and silence. Tears began to roll down her eyes. She didn’t know if she could do it anymore and commit suicide. She reached in her pocket and pulled out the fifty dollar bill that Vernon gave to her earlier. As she unfolded the bill, she felt a card-like piece of paper that was wrapped within the fifty dollars. Joann turned the light on and read the card that said, "ARK – acts of random kindness transform yourself and heal the world." Then, there was a small side-note etched in pen ink that said, "I felt love between us, that’s why."

Joann’s tears turned into a gushing waterfall. She was at a bifurcation point- a profound moment of reorganization and change- and pure love and appreciation was the catalyst. All Joann had to do was allow the transformation to happen and she could be free. She looked at her husband’s picture on the end table and said, "I’m sorry Joe. It’s going to be a long time until we meet again. I’ll never forget you."

At that moment, a new life was birthed for Joann. The silence and stillness she could sense transmuted into love and appreciation. She could feel the one life moving in and through her. For the first time in two years, Joann felt alive and in charge of her well-being. She fell into a void of pure bliss and aliveness. Time has stopped and the night wasted itself away.

…….

The sound of the leaves crunching beneath her feet. The whistling of the wind. And the cold brisk air giving her a runny nose couldn’t be more fulfilling on that sunny autumn day. Joann was on her daily "presence walk" sucking in the aliveness and freshness the day had to offer. Nature seemed to heal Joann. It reminded her of the simple appreciation and abundance life offered- the trees, the green grass, and the sun beating on her face making life possible.

However, that particular autumn day was a day to remember. While Joann was enjoying the freshness of nature, the sight of thick black smoke, but a hundred yards away, caught her attention. What would normally be an oversight for anyone, nagging curiosity got the best of Joann and within seconds she found herself emerging from the woods and onto a lawn three doors down from a house engulfed in flames. She immediately ran over to the scene and found no one there except for an elderly woman standing in the driveway, screaming, "My Noah! My Noah! Someone help!"

Joann knew exactly what she had to do. Without any thought or contemplation, she bolted for the front door and kicked it open. Smoked blinded her vision and oxygen was scarce. She dropped to the floor in hopes that she could see below the smoke and find Noah trying to make his way out. Sirens emerged from a distance. They’re coming, Joann thought. But there’s no time. It must happen now, her intuition nagged.

Joann was about to stand up and exit, but a small patch of smoked cleared and Joann noticed a man lying on the floor. It was Noah. He was passed out on the Kitchen floor. Joann crawled about fifty feet into the kitchen to where Noah was laying there unconscious. She stood up high, grabbed Noah by the shirt collar and dragged him to the front door. She turned around to give one last quick look at the burning insides and witnessed the kitchen ceiling crumbling to the ground, where Noah was once laying. Two fire fighters arrived at the scene and helped Noah and Joann far away from the house to safety.

As Noah was laying on the green grass regaining consciousness, Joann noticed at least twenty business cards spread around him that must of fell out of his pocket. She picked one up and it read, "ARK – acts of random kindness transform yourself and heal the world."

Next to the business cards she saw Vernon’s business card and a full carat diamond enclosed in a ring case. She opened the ring case to view the diamond and saw a special note from Vernon that read, "Noah, thanks for the kind words today. You made me feel special. You’ve saved my life."

Joann looked into Noah’s big blue eyes and blush face. She smiled and said, "ARK, Noah…thank you for saving my life." She then took out the business card and fifty dollar bill Vernon gave her and placed it into Noah’s hand.

Message from the author: How can you give an act of random kindness today? How can you do so without any expectation of a return? Give because of pure enjoyment and wanting to share your heart. You will unlock true abundance in your life and heal the world. As a great prophet once said, "For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

Love,
Big Heart