I had a beautiful experience last night. My family and I were having dinner when I noticed a woman at the table behind us sitting alone. I thought that perhaps she was waiting for someone. Over the next several minutes I caught her looking over at our table. I got repeated promptings - you know, those stirrings inside of you that move you to action, to invite her to join us at our table. 

First let me backtrack...A memory of a different dinner came to mind as I looked at this woman. I was out with some people and there was a man at the table right next to us who sat alone. I remember the distinct feeling that I should invite him to sit with us. I brought it up to the group and they thought that would be weird, not only for us but for him. One person insisted that there are plenty of people who like to eat dinner alone and we probably shouldn't bother him. He looked a little downtrodden and like he could use the company. I ignored the feeling and went about my night. I couldn't get the man out of my head, or the guilt. 

Back to last night: After minutes of battling that "should I/shouldn't I" inner voice, I stood up, walked to her table and, as naturally as I could said that I'd noticed she was sitting alone and wondered if she'd like to join our family for dinner. She teared up. "Bless your heart," she said. She was actually just about to get her check but thanked me for the invite. She said she had been admiring us and that we had a beautiful family, especially our little one. After she got her check, she stopped by our table and told us how much our invitation had meant to her, that it had made her day. She visited with our baby, smiling and waving at him, and left. When we went to pay for our bill our waitress told us that sweet woman had paid for our dinner. 

You never know what a simple act will do for someone. And we were blessed in the process! I just wish we could've gotten to know her. 

We had a giftcard and asked our waitress to apply it to someone else's check. Excited, she told us "I'd love to pay it forward for you!" Whenever you get that feeling to serve someone or bless a life, don't ignore it. Count backward from 5, don't think about it. Just act. A little love can change the world. And you never know when you'll need that kindness. 

Peace, love, om.