Would you be an angel?

Has anyone ever prefaced a request with the phrase, "Would you be an angel and..."? Or maybe you've heard "Would you be so kind as to...." Giving help when asked may seem like simple good manners, and that could be the end of it -- not a second thought. Sure! I can help. Or you might choose to refuse. Your call.

However, I'd like to remind you that doing a kind act for someone, whether you are asked or you offer on your own, is indeed angelic. An angel is an intermediary, an assistant, a protector, a guide. When you willingly do something for someone in answer to a request, you are assisting them. When you perform a random act of kindness, you are acting as an intermediary. Something as simple as buying coffee for the car behind you in the drive-up window line might turn a stranger's mood from glum to grateful. Or making eye contact and smiling at a person on the sidewalk. Picking up something a colleague dropped. Giving a thumbs up to a driver in another car who is clearly singing at the top of their lungs. Who knows how far your act of kindness ripples in the sea of humanity?

When you act kindly toward others, you are a guide to anyone who witnesses your act. Role-modeling has a powerful impact on others whether they are your kids, co-workers, friends or passers-by. It is the living expression of being the change you want to see in this world.

I'll bet you didn't know you were an angel. Think protection, intercession, assistance, guidance. Any time you express these qualities, you are acting from your divine side; in other words, you are an angel. So, be kind. Help out when you can. Do your best. Tap in to your inner angel. Sooner or later, it'll come back to you in kind. Simple advice for a happy life. And if that's not enough to convince you to help out, here's another thought. This one's directly from the Bible:

Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Or, in other words, it goes both ways -- what goes around comes around. Have a great and happy week.