The other day I had a headache that wouldn't quit. I'm no stranger to migraines and usually know how to combat them when they pull a sneak attack, but this one was different. It was a tension headache that was fully committed to running its course and no about of Excedrin was going to stop it.

I tried everything I could think of. I focused on my breathing. I massaged my temples and neck. I applied pressure to the pressure points in my hand. I hydrated myself. I took some vitamins. I ate something. I took a walk around the block for some fresh air. I even took a little catnap on a park bench during my lunch break. I took more Excedrin.

Nothing.

On my way back from the park, I saw a gas station and remembered that sometimes caffeine can be a cure-all. I normally don't drink soda, but I needed a Coke, stat. I was desperate.

With the message of a recent commercial I'd seen telling me that plastic bottles sit in a landfill forever lingering in my head, I opted for the classic can. It was 80 cents.

When I got to the check out, I got out my debit card. The cashier looked at it and shook his head. He wasn't about to let me pay for an 80-cent can of soda with plastic. I rifled through my purse and yielded little more than two nickels and, for some reason, a black guitar pick (I don't even play?)

"Never mind," I said as I walked back to the cooler to return the can.

As I headed for the door, the cashier stopped me.

"You pay me next time."

"Excuse me?"

"You take the soda and you pay me back next time."

"Are you serious?"

"It's a hot one out there. You look like you need it."

"I'll pay you back," I promised. "Thank you."

The next day I came back with $5 and told him to keep it. He wouldn't. He insisted he take the 80 cents I owed him and give me my change. Not wanting to insult him, I accepted the $4.20 back. All he said was, "Just come back and say hi every once and a while."

Wow, I thought as I left. It was such a small, simple gesture of kindness that took two minutes but it in turn impacted my outlook for the rest of the day. It sounds cheesy and clichéd, but I felt inspired to pass on the random act of human decency the next chance I get.

I guess I was just ultimately surprised by a total stranger's inclination to do something nice for me when he didn't have to, especially when it concerned money. When not a week goes by that I feel like someone isn't trying to swindle me out of more money -- whether it's our credit card processing company, cell phone service provider or the dude on the street who is now asking for $5 rather than spare change -- it's overwhelmingly refreshing to see that there are still people out there who are willing to show compassion at no gain for themselves.