That's right, for 25 cents or less you can restore some faith in humanity. All it takes is a trip to the Aldi's grocery store in Plymouth, Massachusetts - or perhaps any other Aldi's. The global chain is known in our region for offering foods at lower costs than most other supermarket chains. One cost saving measure incentivizes customers to bring their own shopping bags or cartons. Check! (Other chains now follow. Yay!) Yet, Aldi's also reduces the number of outdoor workers by locking up their shopping carts. You've probably seen this at least once. If not, take a look at the pics. 

You can unlock a cart with a shiny quarter. The good news is that your two bits are returned to you upon your polite return of a cart. Some new shoppers find this  befuddling at first glance. Yet, it only takes a quick minute to get the hang of the process. Having fewer windblown carts in the parking lot is an undervalued bonus. We're spared the costs of parking lot attendants and those $500 headlight repairs caused by someone's unwillingness to simply walk the cart or carriage back to where they found it. 

And how does this restore my faith in humanity? When I walk toward the store, someone nearly always greets me with "Would you like my carriage? or "Would you like my shopping cart?" These don't seem to be people too lazy to walk to return the cart. They are just friendly neighbors and strangers offering a convenience. Even at the carrell, you'll find carts nearby for people who might not have a quarter in their pockets. 


This is where I met Gyovanna. Within seconds of meeting, our hearts agreed: People outside that store genuinely want to be nice, helpful, and make connections with other human beings. And we discovered that the price of connection can be made for just 25 cents or less. 

More about Gyovanna in an upcoming post. 

So, if you're prone to say "people stink" (or something like that), visit your closest Aldi's. (And if you live nearby, I'll give you a ride.) I recently had a series of a dozen appointments in a medical building. After most appointments I visited Aldi's. Without fail, each visit a stranger asked if I wanted a cart. Many people are not only genuinely kind, they are eager to reach out to add good cheer to someone's day, or simply make a human connection in this age of keyboard anonymity. And connection and kindnesses are surely good things. 

Goodness is all around us if we choose to see it. That choice carries a lot of influence in how we see our day, the world around us, and life within us. Seeing it, being it, helps us feel goodness itself. 

The next time you're shopping, note how you can improve your day just by sharing a little kindness and smile with someone else. We have the means to continue a chain reaction of goodness in the world. Adding your fuel to the spark of kindness and helps keep goodness aglow. 

Do you have a story or example of ordinary or extraordinary goodness that you'd like to share? You can find a submission link in our IG bio, or go to our Seeing Goodness website and look for the "submit" link. We also have a Facebook page and many members have joined our Seeing Goodness Community where we share insights, practices and tips. 

It's that easy :-)  I'd love to see and read about goodness from your perch in the world. Thanks! 

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btw, I've started and paused our Seeing Goodness gatherings and postings a couple of times due to the inability to give it the full attention it deserves. I'm grateful to be fully back. 

If you'd like to help share our mission and advocacy for goodness then consider adding a blogging comment, social media comment, or sharing a post or two. That would be greatly appreciated. 

And please feel free to share the goodness of your efforts in our Facebook community as well. Thanks!