I immediately burst into tears, wondering how I was possibly going to pick everything up when I could scarcely bend over, while the people around me averted their eyes and kept walking. Just as I was feeling totally hopeless, a boy of about 10 walked over and said: Excuse me, would you like some help with your trolley? I nodded at him gratefully through my tears and together we managed to right the fallen trolley.
It turns out that it makes a difference-and a measurable difference in the quality of our lives, both for the giver of the random acts and the receiver. The research is impressive: It can help reduce depression and anxiety, it stimulates serotonin, it produces oxytocin, which is helpful if you are feeling anxious or shy in a social situation, and it increases a sense of self-worth.