Last week was fantastic. I had a great experience in Minnesota. I loved my group of youth and we had a fun time. On my plane ride out there, the lady I was sitting next to introduced me to a slogan of theirs: "Minnesota Nice." From my interactions with Minnesotans, I found this to be true.
Perhaps the most simple, yet striking, example of "Minnesota Nice" occurred at the airport on Saturday. While going through airport security, I accidentally left my favorite zebra pen in the plastic bin. When I realized this, I went back to security and asked a TSA officer if he had by chance picked up my pen. I told him it was a silver and black zebra pen, and he reached to his shirt pocket and pulled out a pen. He then asked, "like this one." I said, "yes, but with the writing worn off." The officer told me I could have his brand new pen. I was quite surprised and I resisted initially. He wanted to give me the pen, so I took it. He remarked that the pen came from another who lost it, and that he could find another nice pen in their lost and found bins.
That was so simple, but it made me really happy. I went and told this story to many of the EFY counselors I was traveling with. Now, whenever I use my brand new zebra pen, I think of my friend in Minnesota and the small act of kindness he showed me. We never know how small acts of kindness can brighten, or even reshape, someone else's world.
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