My brother and I were driving home together and became engrossed in a conversation. Because of this distraction, my brother took a wrong turn.
Unfortunately, the wrong turn took us towards a bridge and we had no way to turn back. Grudgingly, my brother paid the bridge toll and drove on. He was clearly frustrated by the mistake and the needless waste of $4.
We eventually reached an exit slip-way and, as we took it, my brother noticed a beat-up black Mustang pulled over to the side of the road. A young guy was standing nearby trying to phone someone. I was busy trying to figure out which way we went next but my brother pulled over and asked the guy if he needed any help. And he did. He had a flat tire and needed a wrench to get it off.
My brother gave him a wrench, then proceed to help him change the flat. We started getting to know the young man who was from a rough neighborhood nearby. He said that this has been a bad week for him; earlier he had gotten into a minor car accident, and now this flat on his way home from work. But he called us, "A breath of fresh air," and kept thanking us because he really would have been stuck if we hadn't come along. After we had finished the job he thanked us again and pulled out $20 and tried to give it to us. "No," I said. "We were never supposed to even get on that bridge, we took a wrong turn. But now we know why we did. It was to help you. Thank you for turning our mistake into an opportunity to serve."
What I loved most was watching my brother throughout this process. He was able to turn his agitation for the mistake into positive energy. He was able to see a chance to help (which I totally missed!) even in an otherwise negative situation, which can only come from a calm mind and an open heart.
Originally posted on 8.30.2018
Unfortunately, the wrong turn took us towards a bridge and we had no way to turn back. Grudgingly, my brother paid the bridge toll and drove on. He was clearly frustrated by the mistake and the needless waste of $4.
We eventually reached an exit slip-way and, as we took it, my brother noticed a beat-up black Mustang pulled over to the side of the road. A young guy was standing nearby trying to phone someone. I was busy trying to figure out which way we went next but my brother pulled over and asked the guy if he needed any help. And he did. He had a flat tire and needed a wrench to get it off.
My brother gave him a wrench, then proceed to help him change the flat. We started getting to know the young man who was from a rough neighborhood nearby. He said that this has been a bad week for him; earlier he had gotten into a minor car accident, and now this flat on his way home from work. But he called us, "A breath of fresh air," and kept thanking us because he really would have been stuck if we hadn't come along. After we had finished the job he thanked us again and pulled out $20 and tried to give it to us. "No," I said. "We were never supposed to even get on that bridge, we took a wrong turn. But now we know why we did. It was to help you. Thank you for turning our mistake into an opportunity to serve." What I loved most was watching my brother throughout this process. He was able to turn his agitation for the mistake into positive energy. He was able to see a chance to help (which I totally missed!) even in an otherwise negative situation, which can only come from a calm mind and an open heart.
Originally posted on 8.30.2018
9432 Reads
- Posted by donothing
- Jan 12, 2022
- Comments (32)
Readers Comments
Rajni wrote: There are no mistakes in life. They are our teachers. There is always an opportunity hidden in adversity if we have open heart to notice it. Your selfless service is commendable. Taking money makes it a business. You and your brother did a wonderful job.
FARnanny wrote: Wow! Serendipity indeed. Thank you for sharing such a lovely story.
princessliz wrote: Each are placed specifically to help another in this fallen world. Lets hope that our minds are welcoming of the experience.
lighter006 wrote: Really nice work£¡£¡£¡
AnnieJ wrote: An opportunity to serve. There's the silver lining! Great story!
Gunjan wrote: Its the small things in our lives that we miss upon. But they mean a lot!
Spoonerism wrote: Great that you and your brother turned around a negative situation into a positive one. I don't know if every wrong turning can offer us an opportunity like this, but it helps us be more observant just in case there is something waiting for us around that corner!
Ragira wrote: This morning as it rained in nairobi, i came across a man being wheeled on a the side of the road. Both the aide and the man had no umbrella.
I suspect the weather had changed suddenly for them. I had an umbrell ain my car, pulled infront of them,opened the umbrella and handed it over to them. The man on the chair was in tears. Thank you, thank you so much. I left in tears. Not because i surprised myself, but because there had been hundreds of motorists passing by him. Thank god i saw him
Thank you all for sharing your wonderful stories. It sure lifts up a soul :)
I suspect the weather had changed suddenly for them. I had an umbrell ain my car, pulled infront of them,opened the umbrella and handed it over to them. The man on the chair was in tears. Thank you, thank you so much. I left in tears. Not because i surprised myself, but because there had been hundreds of motorists passing by him. Thank god i saw him
Thank you all for sharing your wonderful stories. It sure lifts up a soul :)
Bluebell wrote: Thank you for your kindness and will to serve others. Only a pure heart would transform "mistake" into an act of kindness. Love and light and endless blessings, bluebell
annjav wrote: I, too, like the positive change in your brother who jumped right in to help someone and see the opportunity before him. It is great for us all to hear this positive experience and hope it's paid forward many, many times. Thanks for this great story!
