One Reason Why I’m Not A Cynic
Yesterday while riding the train home I was approached by a man who asked me if I could help him out. I don’t know if he was homeless but he looked to be in pretty bad shape so I gave him what I could. I usually do this, not because I’m a wonderful or special person, but just because I’m a person who believes that I have a responsibility to help those who have less than I do. Now I also happen to be a person who at one point in his life didn’t have a dollar to his name so I’m probably a little more sympathetic than some others when it comes to handing out spare change but that’s not the point of this story. I’m telling you about this because after I gave this man some money something happened that I won’t forget for some time.
The man I had given money to had walked from the other end of the train car to get to me (on his way a few other people gave him some money too) and then he stood in the corner of the car by the door. Two stops later a woman boarded the train on the far end from where I was seated and asked passengers if they could spare some change. Judging solely from the condition of her clothes I gathered that she was worse off than the man I had just given money to; she looked and sounded desperate. Thankfully a few passengers assisted her but at this point I had no cash on me and nothing I could give that I thought would be of use to her.
When she reached me I said that I was sorry but I could not help. I watched her as she continued to the end of the car where she met the man I had given money to just minutes before. They looked at one another for a moment and then he quietly reached into his pocket and gave her some of his money.
The world is a cruel and dark place sometimes, but it’s not all bad. Be kind.
(via professionallush)
