Count Your Blessings and Be Thankful

[NinjaPoodle]

This morning, during my daily commute to work, I missed my usual bus so I walked a few blocks to catch another connection bus. I boarded the bus and proceeded to the back, and then sat down in the very last row of seats. On my right about 3 feet in front of me, there was a woman reading, out loud, a first grade speller/phonics book. Judging by her stature, I’d guess her age in the 30-40 range. With a seat separating them, another passenger, a man, helped her with pronunciation when she stumbled on a word. Mind you, he was a stranger to her. I sat there, humbled, saddened and proud.

• Humbled because it reminded me not to take my mind for granted.
  
• Saddened because I thought about this woman and wondered how is it that she got this far in life without knowing how to read? What was her life like? Had she been abused? Neglected? Why weren’t the opportunities there for her?

I then was proud for three reasons:

• She was trying and not becoming frustrated by her mistakes. She kept going.
• A total stranger was helping her, asking nothing in return.
• I am a member of Sigma Gamma Rho, started by 7 teachers, designed to help educate others.

Every time I see a person, young, old, or in the middle, waste their potential by doing detrimental things to themselves (or others) it saddens my heart (not for me but them) because they could have done something great with their life. I guess I just wanted to say be thankful you have the ability to learn and grow and have the opportunities to move your life in any direction you want. Tomorrow is not promised (i.e. Sean Taylor). Use your brain to its fullest potential for your own growth and happiness.
This encounter only lasted about 10 minutes. When the bus pulled to our stop (BART Station), as everyone started getting off, I said to the man “Thank You” His response: “We’re all human and deserve to be treated as such and with dignity.” I smiled and nodded in agreement. We got off the bus and I saw the woman and said to her “Keep up your reading. You’re doing great” She smiled and said thank you and we both went on our separate ways.

The other thing I guess that I wanted to say is to not discount or look down on those who may not be as fortunate as you or I. They may not have the means of obtaining education or anything else but they deserve to be treated like human beings with dignity.

(off my soapbox now)

[whiteandblack]

thank you. that was beautiful because the spirit to be tolerant and help is his second nature.

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by whiteandblack

thank you. that was beautiful because the spirit to be tolerant and help is his second nature.

I can truly appreciate that. I had to really fight to not start crying.

[titan257]

I know my story isn't as moving but I am very grateful today because one of my customer's gave me $30 worth of gift certificates today to Houlihan's. I was so happy because I didnt know what I was going to eat for dinner.

[Velocity_14]

Originally Posted by NinjaPoodle

This morning, during my daily commute to work, I missed my usual bus so I walked a few blocks to catch another connection bus. I boarded the bus and proceeded to the back, and then sat down in the very last row of seats. On my right about 3 feet in front of me, there was a woman reading, out loud, a first grade speller/phonics book. Judging by her stature, I’d guess her age in the 30-40 range. With a seat separating them, another passenger, a man, helped her with pronunciation when she stumbled on a word. Mind you, he was a stranger to her. I sat there, humbled, saddened and proud.

• Humbled because it reminded me not to take my mind for granted.
• Saddened because I thought about this woman and wondered how is it that she got this far in life without knowing how to read? What was her life like? Had she been abused? Neglected? Why weren’t the opportunities there for her?

I then was proud for three reasons:

• She was trying and not becoming frustrated by her mistakes. She kept going.
• A total stranger was helping her, asking nothing in return.
• I am a member of Sigma Gamma Rho, started by 7 teachers, designed to help educate others.

Every time I see a person, young, old, or in the middle, waste their potential by doing detrimental things to themselves (or others) it saddens my heart (not for me but them) because they could have done something great with their life. I guess I just wanted to say be thankful you have the ability to learn and grow and have the opportunities to move your life in any direction you want. Tomorrow is not promised (i.e. Sean Taylor). Use your brain to its fullest potential for your own growth and happiness.
This encounter only lasted about 10 minutes. When the bus pulled to our stop (BART Station), as everyone started getting off, I said to the man “Thank You” His response: “We’re all human and deserve to be treated as such and with dignity.” I smiled and nodded in agreement. We got off the bus and I saw the woman and said to her “Keep up your reading. You’re doing great” She smiled and said thank you and we both went on our separate ways.

The other thing I guess that I wanted to say is to not discount or look down on those who may not be as fortunate as you or I. They may not have the means of obtaining education or anything else but they deserve to be treated like human beings with dignity.

(off my soapbox now)

Beautiful, NinjaPoodle, just beautiful and so very true. This was a blessing to read and a reminder to use all of your resources (good or bad) as stepping stones and building blocks...it is never to late and no one is ever too old to improve themselves. That is simply the fruit of life---growth.

[MsCoCo81]

Ninja Poodle,

That is just what we need during this time of the year. Not just because it is Christmas, but because it could have been the middle of July, and that would have been good to hear. We should ALL be doing something that causes this world to be in a better place just because we live in it. I am so excited for you that you got to witness this, and that you had the forthright to share it with all of us on GC. I hope that it sparks a fire in each one of us, to live, laugh & love better than we were doing before. We are all apart of different organizations ( some Greek or Non Greek) but the basis for all of them is SERVICE.

I hope this reinforces what our purpose in these organizations should be, and as well as the destination for our lives. I know that it has made me feel good today, and for that I appreciate you!

If you are Blessed, it is your DUTY to bless others! When you have just enough, & you share GOD will make sure that you always have more than enough.

Happy Holidays!

[kizzie22]

Originally Posted by NinjaPoodle

This morning, during my daily commute to work, I missed my usual bus so I walked a few blocks to catch another connection bus. I boarded the bus and proceeded to the back, and then sat down in the very last row of seats. On my right about 3 feet in front of me, there was a woman reading, out loud, a first grade speller/phonics book. Judging by her stature, I’d guess her age in the 30-40 range. With a seat separating them, another passenger, a man, helped her with pronunciation when she stumbled on a word. Mind you, he was a stranger to her. I sat there, humbled, saddened and proud.

• Humbled because it reminded me not to take my mind for granted.
  
• Saddened because I thought about this woman and wondered how is it that she got this far in life without knowing how to read? What was her life like? Had she been abused? Neglected? Why weren’t the opportunities there for her?

I then was proud for three reasons:

• She was trying and not becoming frustrated by her mistakes. She kept going.
• A total stranger was helping her, asking nothing in return.
• I am a member of Sigma Gamma Rho, started by 7 teachers, designed to help educate others.

Every time I see a person, young, old, or in the middle, waste their potential by doing detrimental things to themselves (or others) it saddens my heart (not for me but them) because they could have done something great with their life. I guess I just wanted to say be thankful you have the ability to learn and grow and have the opportunities to move your life in any direction you want. Tomorrow is not promised (i.e. Sean Taylor). Use your brain to its fullest potential for your own growth and happiness.
This encounter only lasted about 10 minutes. When the bus pulled to our stop (BART Station), as everyone started getting off, I said to the man “Thank You” His response: “We’re all human and deserve to be treated as such and with dignity.” I smiled and nodded in agreement. We got off the bus and I saw the woman and said to her “Keep up your reading. You’re doing great” She smiled and said thank you and we both went on our separate ways.

The other thing I guess that I wanted to say is to not discount or look down on those who may not be as fortunate as you or I. They may not have the means of obtaining education or anything else but they deserve to be treated like human beings with dignity.

(off my soapbox now)

Yes, indeed we do need to be thankful for what we have. There is always someone out there who is less fortunate. A few years ago, I went to a conference and a homeless man walked up to me and one of my co-workers. He asked us to buy him a cup of coffee. My co-worker rudely told him to move out of his way. I went into my purse to give him some money for a cup of coffee; well my co-worker proceeded to chew me out saying the man could try and rob me. There was a McDonald's in the building so I went inside and brought him some coffee and something to eat.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by NinjaPoodle

• Saddened because I thought about this woman and wondered how is it that she got this far in life without knowing how to read? What was her life like? Had she been abused? Neglected? Why weren’t the opportunities there for her?

Some students are able to get by in school. A college reading instructor related a similar story about a young man in her reading class that did well on take home assignments, but did extremely poor on in class assignments. She talked to him, and although he did not want to admit it at first, he said he had a classmate write all of his take home assignments. She pressed him some more and he finally came clean and said that because he was good at playing basketball in hs and he was very charming, he got passed along in school. This young man read on a first grade level.

This same reading instructor told of another young man who wanted to improve his reading skills becasue he realized that his first grade daughter could read better than he could. .

[SigKapAngel767]

Thanks for posting this story. Sometimes we need a reminder that there are people in the world who are selfless, and would help a stranger without question. I know that the kindness of strangers has helped me get out of many sticky situations.

[f8nacn]

Excellent story and reminder...will have to print out for my client to see how blessed she is :-)

[IncontRHOllable]

Wow SoRHOr, Thank you for sharing this. My wish is that everyone be mindful of their blessings and be quick to help others in need. I grew up in a family that did not have much, but always managed to share the little we did have with others who were worse off than us. My grandmother took in a homeless old woman that she used to see others make fun of. That old woman, Momma Johnson, was one of the best blessings to my family. We are blessed to be a blessing.....

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by NinjaPoodle

[*] I am a member of Sigma Gamma Rho, started by 7 teachers, designed to help educate others.

As are all 4 of us in the grand scheme of things.

[preciousjeni]

Wonderful story of human understanding and compassion! Thank you for brightening our day.

[Fawn Liebowitz]

Great story - I can see why you were moved. Kudos to you, too, for offering her additional encouragement and for acknowledging his "good deed". Sometimes, all it takes are a few kind words or meaningful actions to completely change someone's outlook...or maybe even (in some small way) change their life.