Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people

Point to Ponder: Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.” ― Roy T. Bennett, “The Light in the Heart”

Story Line:  Two random acts of kindness- Singapore Immigration Officer and Penang Grab Driver last weekend. ( November 23-24)  

Last Saturday, we were returning from Singapore to Penang. Just about the time we cleared immigration at Changi International Airport, I was having a hard time pushing the wheelchair in which my wife was sitting.* Two immigration officers, noticing that I was struggling, approached us with an offer to help.  Despite my polite decline, one of them sensed that it would be difficult for me to push the wheelchair for quite a long distance. So he offered again and helped by pushing it all the way to the boarding gate. Many passers by noticed his noble gesture. The shortage of wheelchair assistance personnel and passenger transport trollies on that day turned out to be a memorable experience with a great human being. 

“Remember, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” — Scott Adams

Just the very next day in Penang, as our fortune would have it, one of us dropped an iPhone in the Grab backseat while unloading our grocery bags. A little panic set in when we entered our apartment and discovered that the phone was missing. We called the Grab driver. The passenger in the backseat had found the phone on the floor and given it to him. He was looking for a way to return it. In a very heavy traffic hour, he travelled half an hour to return the phone to us.

“Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Reflection: 

These random acts of kindness and integrity remind us that there is still so much good in this world despite constant downloading of negative news on us. 97% of what happens in this world is good, but unfortunately 3% of bad things dominate the landscape of media. In the past six months, in this region, we have had so many positive experiences. It makes us realize that this world is still a wonderful place filled with very good human beings. 

In following weeks we will publish a few stories of people's experiences such as 1. In Penang, Every Grab Driver has a story 2. When you look forward to going to the hospital. 3. Let’s talk about what unites us.

*My wife had a lower spine injury a few months ago. Getting regular treatment but still needs assistance for long walks. On Saturday the airline didn’t have enough personnel for wheelchair assistance. 

The portion of the quote below is used in the picture at the top of the article. 

“Every small, unselfish action nudges the world into a better path. An accumulation of small acts can change the world.” ― Robin Hobb, “Fool’s Fate”