Yes it is the end of August- I vow to be better about posting- in fact, I am planning on producing a weekly post sharing my adventures of travel and the many wonderful people I meet. For example, a few months ago, I flew to Boston for a training session and the shuttle bus driver, Jack, was this wonderful older man who was proud of his city, and gracious in understanding the stress of traveling. He used humor, candy, and his Boston charm to put me at ease and welcome me to his city. He didn’t have to. In fact, he didn’t have to talk at all, and I appreciated his enthusiasm and energy. He also seemed like he had a personal responsibility to share his city with those of us visiting. He has lived in Boston his whole life, it is what he knows and I found myself wondering if I ever felt that way about any place I’ve ever lived. Maybe that is why I like to travel so much. There are those of us who stay in one place and those of us who go from place to place visiting and sharing the wonders we find with others.
Watching tv or viewing the internet one can easily come to believe that humans are basically selfish, violent, conniving, and ego maniacs. Much of the tv shows and news shows talk about the dark side of being human, yet my daily experiences with real people tell me something different. I find friendly faces and people willing to help everywhere I go. Many times, it is a small gesture or act of kindness that catches my attention: like Jack. I’m sure he doesn’t make much money, and he went above and beyond to make me feel welcomed and relaxed.
For me the lesson is simple: we each get to choose who we will be in the world, how we will be in the world, and how we want others to remember us. The older I get, the more I realize this at a core level. So as Jack reminded me, it is not about how much money we make or what we do for a living that counts, it is how we do it and how we treat others that matters most. I heard someone say recently that there is no such thing as an unimportant job, just people who feel unimportant…so true.
So look for weekly musings and feel free to share your examples of people who have done something kind or remarkable for you, whether while traveling or just shopping at your local grocery store. Let’s celebrate together the many small acts of kindness that are all around us.