In Deed
Sometimes I go through these phases where I feel really disconnected from everyone.
Maybe it’s New York, maybe it’s the weather. I don’t know.
I have a feeling most people go through this at some point and it makes me feel better.
At the end of the day, no matter where you live, how much you make or what you do, you want to know that your life matters.
You want to know that you’re not alone.
Recently, I was waiting for an elevator on the way to a doctor’s appointment and found myself standing next to the oldest, frailest man I’d ever seen.
He was so hunched over his walker, I couldn’t even see his face. I felt sorry for this man, his inability to move easily. What had happened? I wondered.
When the elevator arrived, the rest of us waited to let him get on first. He took forever, each painful step slower than the last.
I saw the gold band on his left hand and wondered about his wife, where she was, if he was all alone.
As we rode in silence, passengers in our own thoughts, I stole a few glances at the old man’s hunched back. Did he have anyone to care for him?
The elevator stopped on the fourth floor - the old man’s floor. The doors opened and, again, he took one painful step after another.
And then he stopped midway out. We held our breath.
He turned his head and, with all the strength he could muster, said in a James Earl Jones-like voice, “I hope you all have a BEAUTIFUL day!”
The doors closed behind him and we all looked at each other - shocked. A man whose every step took so much effort made wishing us well a priority? Wow.
The effect was pure joy - we giggled and shook our heads at such a pleasant surprise. As each of us got off the elevator, there were more well wishes to the remaining passengers. It was the happiest ride I’ve ever had.
So today, inspired by this little moment, I’ve decided to start surprising others with good deeds. It might even start with smiling more.
I bought myself a cute little jar at Anthropologie (above) - I love that you can write whatever you want on it in chalk.
I’ll write each one down and put it in this jar and never tell a soul.
Of course, I’ll know what’s there - a little bit of happy that helped wish someone else a beautiful day.
We’re all connected.
I just needed a little old man to remind me of that. Thank goodness he was there.
