I saw yesterday who I really want to be

More than likely if you are reading this, no matter how old you are
—someone, somewhere is older than you. Now, this genius statement wasn't to flatter you, but to encourage you  to think. You might be old to someone and a youngster to someone else. Young or old, life is hard. And sometimes, we need a lended hand.

For instance, take the lady at our very small Wal-Mart yesterday.

I went there to pick up an online purchase. Before I could get to the counter, I noticed an older lady trying to sit down safely in a non-motorized wheelchair while keeping the attached shopping basket tilted sideways all at the same time. Her three leggedcane stood at attention by the chair and her purse sat on the floor. I said, “Can I help you in any way?” She said, “Yes, honey, you can hold the chair still until I sit down.” Then she sat and pulled the red shopping basket across the front of the chair, and tried to get comfortable. I picked up her purse and said, “You probably want this and here’s your cane.” She thanked me more than once. Our final contact was when she looked up into my eyes, smiled, and thanked me again.

I really wanted to push her around the store, but didn’t want to intrude. I didn’t know how much helping was enough and how much was too much. I wondered. She rolled around on her own doing a great job, I might add.

My response wasn't much, but enough. At least I came out of my self-absorbed world for five minutes to notice her.

Although, I am always glad to learn one new thing a day, I learned four things yesterday:

1. I am not an island, so why do I try to be?
2. I need to be more open to people helping me, too.
3. I should not walk by someone who might need help even if I'm afraid they will yell at me when I ask to help.
4. And, I saw yesterday the person in me I really want to be: A little fearless, Helpful, Open.

Have you learned any new lessons lately?