An Unforgettable Lesson On The Subway
ServiceSpace
--Richard Whittaker
2 minute read
Mar 10, 2017

 

[My friend, John, came to an Awakin Circle for the first time this week, and shared a beautiful story.  I thought some of might enjoy it too.]

My name is John, and I'm here for the first time. Thank you so much for this time, sitting together and the stories. I was reminded of a story -- a true story that actually happened to me.

I went to New York for a special interview with the hopes of this wonderful result for me, advancement and good things. So I had this interview. The man interviewing me, instead of offering me this position, disrespected me and even accused me of dishonesty! This was the complete opposite of what I had dreamed on the way to this interview.

I was so angry and left with a purple cloud around me.

Just a few minutes later, I was on the subway just thinking about what I'd do to this man if I saw him again and what I would've said, what I should have said. I was imagining the different scenarios. Really, I was furious. I was thinking that I'd really like to just grab him, and so on.. completely in my own world and absolutely oblivious to what was happening in this subway car.

But out of this black cloud I was in, I somehow started to notice this family across from me. And I kept hearing this laughter. Initially, it was so annoying because I was in my cloud. But slowly I begin to see this family. A mother, a daughter, maybe 10, and another one, a boy, and they were just laughing and laughing. And full of love.

On this woman's lap was a little baby, also just laughing hysterically in this group. And then I saw that the baby had no arms!

Here I was, full of self pity, full of my own misfortunes ... all alone in my suit, having flown to New York. And then here was a baby  - without arms  -  full of joy and laughs, surrounded by a family equally filled with glee.

Love is possible everywhere. It's a lesson I've never forgotten.

 

Posted by Richard Whittaker on Mar 10, 2017


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