It started out small, like the big things often do. A woman, who now bills herself as
Secret Agent L, did a random act of kindness here in Pittsburgh to celebrate the birthday of a friend who lives across the country. That seemingly small kindness made her feel enormously good, so she decided to make these small gestures – like leaving a tiny, beautifully wrapped gift in a department store dressing room for a stranger to find – a regular part of her life.
She put together a website with the help of another friend and got a bit of buzz on a few other sites and blogs around the country, including
kirtsy.com. That's when the flood of responses started. People all over the country have been inspired by Secret Agent L's dedication to acts of kindness, and want to encourage her, thank her or even join the ranks as an "affiliated agent."
L and her army of do-gooding agents leave small gifts (recommended value: $5 or below) in public places with notes attached, explaining that the found object is a gift from Secret Agent L. Last weekend, an "agent" in South Carolina left a $5 Starbucks gift card for a stranger to find. The message is simple: There are good people all around you. This lifelong Pittsburgh is determined to make that clear – one tiny random act of kindness at a time.
"I love the idea of doing it anonymously because it's so important that I don't want to focus on myself," Secret Agent L says. "I love this city so much and it's given me so much in my own life, I want people here to know they've been loved too."
Writer: Melissa Rayworth
Source: Secret Agent L, Pittsburgh
Image courtesy of Secret Agent L