When you’re in a rush, would you stop to help someone else out?
When you’re stuck in traffic late for work, would you stop and help someone change a flat tire?
When you’re late for an appointment and someone gets stuck, do you help push them out?
Why not? Because it’s not your fault that they need help?
Because your appointment is more important than helping them out?
What if they are on their way to an important surgery?
What if the situation was reversed?
Case in point:
In September 2005, I was jogging before I had to leave to teach skating lessons. My plan was to finish my run around 4, jump on the bus and be at skating for 5. However, as I was nearing the end of my run, I passed by an older woman who was having a hard time walking. I passed by her, but turned around and started walking backwards to see if she would be ok. She ended up grabbing ahold of a lamp post and slumped down. I ran back to see if she was ok. I didn’t have my phone on me, but went to a construction site across the street, borrowed their phone and after getting her number, called her house; no answer. Luckily another woman was walking by and told me there was a fire station close by, so we took the older woman there so they could help her out. They took my information and called me the next day. Apparently she had gone for a walk but had gotten disoriented, walked something like 30 blocks away from her house and had gotten lost. They took her home, her husband had been very worried about her and they sent me a certificate in the mail thanking me for helping her out. I was a bit late for work, but I understood that helping her out was more important than getting to work on time.
I encourage you that the next time you’re in a rush and see someone needing help, take a few seconds to think about giving them a hand. You never know when you might need help from someone else.