I have been to lunch with co-workers when we have had beggars or homeless people come up and ask for money. Many of them are quick to look the other way -- or refuse to help because they've been burned before where they offered to help someone, then found out it was a scam. My response has always been, "I'd rather get scammed by one and help nine others, than to be scammed by one and never help another again."
Imagine my surprise when many, many months later, one of those co-workers came up to me to share a little story.
He said he arrived home from work and was walking to his front door when he walked past a woman trying to change the tire of her car. She also had a child with her while she's trying to do this by herself. He said at first, he just kept on walking. Then he said my face appeared before him and he knew, he had to go help her. He walked in the front door and his wife also mentioned this woman needing help. So he went and helped her. In helping her, he found out she was really having a rough time of it. She told him many people had passed her and hadn't even offered to help. She was very grateful for his help.
When he told me this story the next day I was so happy!! I was happy because he had reached out in compassion to help another! It's always nice to learn that something you do as a matter of principle can affect someone in a way that results in them being a happier, healther, more loving, or more compassionate individual.
I would like to think, that he was the 1 in 10 that restored her faith in humanity and that there are good people left in this world. I also hope she restored his faith in that some people truly do need our help.
I already know that for a fact. We just have to reverse everyone's thinking that everyone is out to get you, that everything is a scam, and no one can be trusted. We have to see the paranoia state we have created.
We must stop being afraid to help others. Release the fear!!! We must start reaching out...ESPECIALLY when we get burned! It is up to us to restore faith in humanity. No one else can do it. Only YOU.
If someone has inspired you to commit an act of love, compassion, or healing..be sure to let them know. It's always nice to hear that you have influenced someone in a good way. After all, we are quick to point out when someone "makes us feel bad" or affects us in a negative way.
Don't forget to tell them today that they affected you in a good way too! We all need a little more love and encouragement in our lives.
Let that change begin with me!
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