Mike Lumley
British expat living in Dubai
Lumley says that in this increasingly materialistic world, where materialistic greed has caused misery and concern for millions of people, he is often reminded of Princess Diana's words, “Carry out a random act of kindness with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge
that one day someone might do the same for you.''
He has a couple of examples when small acts of kindness have had a huge impact on the recipients... as well as on him.

“The first was when I offered to help a colleague's daughter in going through her university application. She was applying to an English university and was not a native English speaker so was extremely happy when I offered to help.
“I made a few minor adjustments to her application and it was accepted. She was delighted and it gave me immense pleasure to see the joy on her face.''

He remembers another incident when a small act of kindness brought a huge smile to a little boy's face.
“Recently I had gone on a business trip to Mauritius. One morning, I was having a coffee at a roadside cafe. I was wearing a sports cap that I had been given at a Grand Prix I had attended.

“The cap had the logo of the famous motor racing team Ferrari (that my company sponsors). As I was sipping my coffee, I noticed a small boy who was with his parents pause as he passed by my table. He kept staring at me and then I saw him talking to his parents. After a couple of moments, he came over to me and shyly asked me where I had bought my cap from. I told him that I did not buy it but that it was
given to me.

“He nodded, looked disappointed then turned around and walked back to his parents. I guessed what was
on his mind so I called out to him.
“He walked back to me ... and I took off my cap and gave it to him.

He was totally surprised but very quietly said “Thank you'' and just as shyly as he had asked me he shyly accepted the cap and walked back to his parents.
“As soon as he reached his parents, I saw him punch the air as if he had just scored a goal in the World Cup final. It was a great moment and it made me realise how spontaneous acts and gifts can mean so much more than expensive pre-planned ones.''

By Shveta Verma, Dubai-based freelancer

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