Have you ever noticed how difficult to it is to successfully do something kind for others?

This problem occurred to me the other day. It was a crisp Thursday morning as I traversed to my mentorship. When I arrived, my mentor lamented his dire need for some coffee. A little pick-me-up was all. So I gladly threw on my coat and headed to my delightful place of employment, The Main Cup. Upon arriving, I remembered my mother would be there that same morning, getting breakfast with a friend. I decided to embrace this opportunity and discuss plans for dinner with my mom, as I make dinner every Thursday. The conversation evolved into a discussion of my plans for Friday night, and formal, and a brief repartee over the meaning of life. My mother and I are similar in this way. After that informative conversation, I recalled my ultimate purpose in going to the coffee shop and proceeded to order for myself and my mentor.

            A side note: Has anyone ever experienced the awful task of carrying two piping hot lattes to the car, as the foam bursts through the lid, and dribbles down the cup onto your hand? It is a truly remarkable event when you realize how helpless you are to wiping the lid because your other hand occupies your own beverage!

            Anyway, that happened in addition to the following: I arrived at my car and luckily my boss was outside and opened my car door so I didn’t have to set my drinks on the pavement while maneuvering the door. (I drive an enormous suburban and therefore I cannot put the drinks on top of the car because it is so much taller than I.)

When I returned to my mentorship, I placed the hot beverages on a self above me while took off my coat. This was my fatal move. As I went to grab the drinks, my hand slipped and the drink ended up all over the polished white floor. I was heart broken. I quickly gathered paper towels in an attempt correct my mistake. But it was no use; the 20 ounce drink was far too hefty a job for my pathetic paper towels. I then found a custodian to help wipe away my indiscretions. I walked slowly toward my mentor’s room, with pouty eyes and a heavy heart. I explained to him the tragic attempt I made at satisfying his caffeine fix. He nodded, and kindly told me he would pay me back. I was disgusted with myself. All I wanted to do was please you! Why is it so hard to successfully perform an act of kindness? Why bother if it’s just going to end up on the floor with the rest of your dreams?   It slays me to think that I dropped it and even more to think it was karma. Where did I go wrong? Did I forsake a cup of coffee one day and now I’m paying for it? Maybe I’m irrational and this is just bad luck. But regardless of the reason for this mishap, at the end of the day I realized there is no use in crying over spilt milk, cold or steamed. I continue to do kind deeds, and some days, I continually fail, but you good-doers are not alone. I stand with you in the face of adversity. I believe that acts of kindness never go unrewarded. In some way or another, karma will reward me. And for this day I wait. Wait patiently. Waiting. Wait. Wait. . .