I watched a movie this weekend called "Run, Lola, Run". The same scene is repeated three times, with minor changes, such as Lola tripping, and this seemingly inconsequential action, totally alters the outcome for her, as well of those individuals that she encounters along the way. It has some similarities with the movie Sliding Doors, where a woman's entire life outcome is changed because of either catching a train or missing it.
There is a lot of talk about coincidence and the randomness of life. Everyday, we are dealt with many opportunities in which one could potentially change one's own life and as well as that of others. And you may not even know that you do. Mitch Albom's novel The Five People you Meet in Heaven tackles this interesting subject.
Think about how many people you could impact on a daily basis. When you drive, it is your care, concern and aptitude that makes sure those driving beside you get home unscathed. When you hold an elevator for someone, have you ensured that this person is on time for work, an interview, or their day is just better because you were courteous.
Let me give you a couple of examples.
A few weeks ago, I was in a hurry, going to a meeting, rushing down the subway stairs, hoping to catch the train that was just pulling in. As I hurried along, there was an elderly lady who was trying to maneuver with her heavy rollator down the stairs. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I looked back up and thought "this is just a disaster waiting to happen." So I pushed against the flow of humanity that was rushing down the stairs, past this woman and I got up to her and asked if I could help. She asked if I could take her walker to the bottom of the stairs, and wait for her. I got to the bottom of the stairs with the rollator (note, I was wearing high heels and carrying a briefcase) and then went back up to hold her hand as she slowly walked down the stairs. She started saying that she was afraid she was going to pass out, that she hadn't eaten much for a couple of days, because it was toward the end of the month and she had mostly run out of her pension money. I got her to the base of the stairs, and I don't know if it was a scam or not, but I took twenty dollars out of my wallet, gave it to her, touched her shoulder, wished her well and moved down the subway platform. Needless to say, I had long missed my train, but I hope I made a difference in her life. 
Yet let me point out, that no one else stopped to help her, nor did any of the men or younger people stop and help me carry her walker down the steps. They were too focused on their own lives and issues. I missed my train and was put out by a few minutes, but it was worth it.
How often do we see people walking through office buildings or on the buses and subways, where we admire something that they are wearing, but we don't say anything? Those of you who know me, know I love purses (and shoes) and I saw this unsmiling woman on the subway, who had a really magnificent purse and so when I got up at my stop, I went over to her and said "I really like your purse!" She looked startled (perhaps she thought at first that I was going to steal it), but soon smiled and said thank you. I got off at my stop, but I hoped that I made her day just a little brighter.
Now please know that I'm not going around everyday, talking and helping strangers, I cannot profess to being so noble or such an altruist. But I am doing it more these days, because I find that we are becoming too depersonalized and that bothers me.
All I'm asking of all of you, is to just consider that you have so many possible moments that are presented everyday where you could change a life. Will you try to do that today?
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