The Urge To Do Better

On my way home tonight from visiting my six month old nephew, I came across a mild accident. A delivery man, working for a local restaurant had fallen off his motorbike on a hill, it was lying on it's side, and all the food to be delivered was lying in the road. He saw my car approaching and scrambled to pick up his bike which looked rather heavy to pull up, and frantically tried to get out of my way. As much as he may have thought he was in my way, all I could think of doing was jumping out the car to help this poor man who had come across some unfortunate luck. I got out and asked him if he was alright to which he replied "The food, is the food okay?"

This just broke my heart. To think that all he was worried about was the food that had landed in the road (luckily still intact in it's seal, just out of the paper bag). He wasn't bothered about whether or not he could be hurt, or shaken up (which he certainly was) but rather what his boss would say if he had to return to get more food, or the people waiting for the delivery being angry for the late arrival. It made my insides sink to think that this job was most likely his bare survival income and no matter what harm came to him, he needed to protect that job more than himself. I answered "Yes, the food is alright, don't worry" as I packed it all back into the bag and helped him get up. As I loaded the goods into his little bonnet box, I couldn't help but feel terrible, walking away from a man, who's eyes seemed to cry, but only on the inside. It felt like I could sense the tears in his heart. After being sure I had done everything I could have, including offering to phone someone for him, I reluctantly left. But the knot in my stomach didn't.

Something so small made me feel so helpless. Like I wasn't doing enough in this world to help those less fortunate than myself. Maybe this minor encounter with this stranger in need, was meant to hold a much greater symbolic meaning. Maybe it was the look in his eyes when he asked me about the food, that made me realise that although I shouldn't feel guilty for all the blessings I have, I could surely feel the need to help others be as blessed, in any small way that I can. Even if this means just giving old clothes to that homeless family down the street. Or visiting an orphanage when I can to offer some time and support. It brought back the reality of the suffering to me. The scraping-by class. The desperate class. The people with good hearts and little resources. The people of my country who deserve better and need people who are better off to help them be the best they can be.

If there is anything that you feel you may be able to do, or do differently, to help someone else, don't wait for a sign to get you going. Use MY sign. Take MY lesson. There are so many who need you. You just haven't met them yet. They are waiting.