Every day I read, hear and see terrible things going on round the world. I know I cannot change this as an individual but a mighty oak tree was once an acorn.

Rush, rush, rush without a thought or worry for others. Is this right? Of course not and at times I am as guilty as anyone else but sometimes its great to stop and look around or just think.

For example:-

I decided to go out for a bicycle ride yesterday, which in itself is not a remarkable action, and get dirty. So I made the choice of going to a local woodland area which has tracks running through it. If the objective was to get muddy then the goal was achieved and more. Oh what fun slipping and sliding and bouncing over rocks and fallen branches. Tiring too for my aging body and limbs but well worth the effort. Huge smiles and lungs full of fresh air. Birds were calling and singing to each other and the world, small furry creatures scurried and hid away and the scene was calm and rustic.

It was this that ultimately relaxed my mind, my body would argue this but had to knuckle down, and helped me do the right thing.

I noticed a car in the parking area that stood out from all the others. An expensive car and a new car. That wasn’t what was odd though. It was the fact that the boot lid was wide open with no owner in sight. I thought at first maybe they were laying down inside or were sitting on the rail putting boots on but no apart from the parked cars the place was deserted.

On closer inspection by eye, but not touch, I saw a wallet, purse, expensive binoculars, a camera and some expensive looking jackets. All on show and in handy reach for anyone to grab and run with.

My first thought was to just close the boot and leave but my practical sense asked if the owner had their key with them of if they had left it in their purse or wallet. If I closed the car up then they could be in a worse predicament.

As there was no-one about I made the choice of going to look for the owner and as luck would have it I found them quite soon into my search so I turned tail and returned to the car park to keep vigilance until they walked back.

It felt to good to do the right thing and even better to be told that everything was as it should be (apart from the boot lid being wide open) and there were smiles of relief and thanks.

Once all was secure we said our farewells and I resumed my ride and the couple went back to their weekend walk.

Circumstances could be very different if I had just ignored things and had carried on by.

My day went on and I felt relaxed and happy that a few strangers found relief.

Stopping now and then to help others, say good morning or give a gift does so much to grease the wheels of happiness and hope and its the mere fact that they are random that make them so powerful. Try it some time and see for yourself.