Valentine’s Day Roses – RAK
February 15th, 2009I have created an awesome Valentine’s Day tradition, and this is year 3. I headed to Albertsons Grocery Store and bought four dozen roses (total value about $100). As I am checking out, the cashier notices that one of the rose bulbs has broken off and tells me she wants to get me a new set with all the roses. Allrighty. So she leaves and returns and we begin to count to figure out which of the 4 sets of roses had the one missing and in the middle of it, she says, “Here, just take them.” I smile and reply, “Thank-you. Do you realize that you just gave me roses BECAUSE I am about to give them all away?” She looked at me and said, “really?” “Yes, really.” Cool.
So I wandered off into the parking lot. The first few roses are really quite awkward. A bit nervous and excited to make someones day, I begin to approach RANDOM women. With a simple, “Happy Valentine’s Day” and a smile I hand the rose over and walk away with no time for any comments or expected response. Over the next several hours, I travel to the post office, bagel shops, furniture moving sales, back-country ski shops and other random stores that are open. I even skip the line at a fast food drive through and dropped a rose off at the window and drove off quickly! At one point I went into a gas station with a rose and there was only a male attendant. This is where the experiment took it to the next level. I gave the rose to the cashier and told him to give it to the next random woman that came in! Now that is passing it on and getting others to feel the beauty of giving. I picked up a friend and had him give some out. I gave a few to my Rock and Roll Band (Wounded Knee) so they could all feel the giving love. My final stop was at Teton Thai where I brought a bunch in for the ladies behind the counter and in the kitchen and the ladies in for a bite.
The reactions? Well across the board really. From the quiet thank-you to the heartfelt appreciation and look of surprise and shock – WOW – that is SOOOO nice! to the I would have never gotten one! to You Made My Day! The best is when it registers that there is really NO expectation from the giving. In my opinion, that is the crux of the giving. This act, of course, is not about getting anything back except for the fact that you feel good about making someone’s day!
So what’s the point anyway? There are lots of ways to bring a smile to people’s faces and a little joy and love into the world. This is one cool way and I want to continue creating as many as possible. Sure, it does make the ladies feel special. Why not spread some love around the world!
