It was a bad time for me. I was low emotionally and tired physically. Probably because of this I hadn't shaved for a few days. Also, because I had been doing some repairs at my daughter's house, I was dressed quite scruffily. Boarding the bus to go home I saw it was almost full so I found a rail to lean against.
That's when a young woman, sitting with her child, stood up and offered me her seat. 'Wow!' I thought. Out loud I said, "Do I look that old and tired?" She replied, "You look like you've had a tough day." I thanked her sincerely and stayed standing.
A moment later a man rose from his seat at the back of the bus and made his way towards me, squeezing past several people on the way. Then he told me about his addiction problems, asked my advice, and just chatted about life for a few minutes. Then he went back to his seat. Very random!
Watching him go I also looked at the bus-load of people between me and his seat. He hadn't chosen to talk to those strangers. He chose to talk to this stranger, for whatever it meant to him and whatever comfort it brought him. Why?
That's when it occurred to me. I must have looked like I had been where he was. I probably looked like a man who would understand a difficult life. I was humbled and uplifted at the same time by the realisation that even when we are at our lowest we can still help others - if we look like we might be able to meet them where they live or walk a while in their world.
That's when a young woman, sitting with her child, stood up and offered me her seat. 'Wow!' I thought. Out loud I said, "Do I look that old and tired?" She replied, "You look like you've had a tough day." I thanked her sincerely and stayed standing.
A moment later a man rose from his seat at the back of the bus and made his way towards me, squeezing past several people on the way. Then he told me about his addiction problems, asked my advice, and just chatted about life for a few minutes. Then he went back to his seat. Very random!Watching him go I also looked at the bus-load of people between me and his seat. He hadn't chosen to talk to those strangers. He chose to talk to this stranger, for whatever it meant to him and whatever comfort it brought him. Why?
That's when it occurred to me. I must have looked like I had been where he was. I probably looked like a man who would understand a difficult life. I was humbled and uplifted at the same time by the realisation that even when we are at our lowest we can still help others - if we look like we might be able to meet them where they live or walk a while in their world.
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- Posted by Wayfarer
- Jun 8, 2015
- Comments (13)
Readers Comments
cabbage wrote: Your inner beauty shines through wherever you are, wayfarer, that's why he talked to you ;-)
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing.
lindariebel wrote: Thank you.
Patricia wrote: This share really touched my heart and is much appreciated. Turned my focus around. Thank you so much. Blessings.
RAJNIKANT GOHIL wrote: Beautiful lesson to learn. Never quit even we feel low. Have self esteem, we are valuable. Think positively always. Problems, bad time are our teachers. Learn and move forward. After all have full faith in god he is always there to help us. Thanks for sharing beautiful inspiring story
melnotes wrote: Thank you for sharing :)
terre wrote: Thank you for sharing your story. Isn't it interesting how our outward appearance can affect how others interact with us?
kjoyw wrote: What a wonderful share! You gift of kindness and understanding must have been so visible that somehow through some sort of Divine mystery he knew he could approach you and share what was on his heart without being judged. This is really a wonderful story of connection and acceptance and I thank you so much for sharing it with us. Truly uplifting! Blessings, kjoyw
SM2000 wrote: Thank you for sharing
mish wrote: So well expressed by you & so true too. Bless.
sandyremillar wrote: So profound....thank you for sharing...did you noticed everything changed when you got in the bus? Life knocking at your door....:}
