Brighten Your Day

A Note Inside A Book Sets Off A Chain Of Random Acts Of Kindness

May 10, 2019

An inspiring note found inside a random book in a Missouri Target has inspired thousands of people to pay it forward.

Credit: @ajost

Ashley Jost said while shopping at Target a self-help book caught her eye. The 27-year-old bought the book, "Girl, Stop Apologizing," and began reading it when she got home.

After a few minutes, her dog started barking so she tossed the book aside. When she got back, she noticed something on the ground.

"Five dollars fell out, and it took me a second where I was like, 'Wait, what just happened'?" Jost said.

She flipped through the book, and in one of the last pages, there was a Post-it that read:

"To the person who buys this book: I am having a tough day. I thought maybe I could brighten someone else’s with this little surprise. Go buy a coffee, a donut or a face mask. Practice some self care today. Remember that you are loved, you are amazing, you are strong. - Lisa"

Jost decided to post a photo of the note and the money on Twitter and it went viral.

People are pledging their own random acts of kindness.

"In that moment, I didn't necessarily need the pick-me-up, but I feel obligated to share it, and I'm hearing back from people who did," Jost said. "The ripple effect is pretty incredible."

After seeing her Twitter post, Lisa mailed Jost a card to her job on campus.

"She said it made her cry in a good way," Jost told CNN. But Lisa still didn't give away who she was. She left no return address, preferring to remain anonymous.

Jost said that Lisa wrote it had been a difficult time in her life and she just wanted "to create something positive -- she never really expected this to happen the way it has."