Human Experience

I like to think we live in a world filled with good people, always willing to help their neighbors whether metaphorically or literally.

Obviously, I am not naive enough to think bad people do not exist, in fact, most day I am positive there are more “bad” people than good, but that’s no way to live life.  I’ll refer back to my review of “You Are A Badass;" when you put positive in, you’re more likely to get positive back.

With that being said, there is a particular Subway restaurant that I rarely patron, but each time I do I have a “human” experience. What I mean by a human experience is a situation that presents itself that I would hope it would just be common human decency to respond in a certain way.  For example, the first time I ordered food from this particular Subway one of the other customers was a blind women accompanied by her Seeing Eye dog. Of course he wore a sign that read “please do not pet me, I am working.” She was having a difficult time finding & getting a drink. I gladly helped her while others just walked around her. While I was securing the lid to her cup  a gentleman came to the counter to refill his drink and remark “I can’t believe she doesn’t let people pet her dog. It must be mean or she's just rude.” I stood; dumbfounded.

Seriously????

Isn't it common knowledge that working dogs are doing just that, working! I don't know about you, but  I certainly do not want to be responsible for the injuries an epileptic person might suffer because I wanted to pet their dog. Distracting a working dog for just a few seconds is long enough to keep them from  notifying their human that they need to sit because they are going to have a seizure.  It has absolutely nothing to do with the dog being mean or the owner being rude. 

Moving on…

Today I was in this same restaurant for the second time and had yet another human experience. The gentleman a few people ahead of me was wheelchair bound. He completed his order and headed over to the drink station. I finished getting lunch for myself and a co-worker and headed over to get our drinks. I was surprised to have been greeted by the gentleman in his wheelchair. The people ahead of me in line had completely ignored the fact that he could not reach the lids or straws. They gathered their drinks, secured their lids- which they has absolutely no problem reaching -and walked away.

​WHY?????????????????

Why are people SO oblivious to others around them! Why are some people so absorbed in themselves that they can’t help someone who needs just a little boost. It literally took me all of 10 seconds to get him a lid and straw. He was happy and I was on my way. 

What happened to compassion, to kindness towards our fellow mankind? I just do not understand how you could see anyone struggling to do something as simple as put a lid on a cup and not want to extend a helping hand. If I were in a similar situation I would hope someone kind would find it within their heart to take a few SECONDS to help me. 

So, I was clearly peeved as I got into my car to head back to work so I popped the radio on hoping a song like "happy" would stream through my cars speakers and cheer me up. Nope. No such luck. Instead I heard a women who was chosen to "open" up to 10 bag for the chance to win $10,000.  Awesome! Maybe she'll win some big money and it'll make her day. On bag #3 she crashed, lost all the money she could have walked away with had she stopped at bag #1 or bag #2. What does she say? "Oh, that's gay." 

WHAT?!?!?!?!?! I wanted to call and say "so, you're happy  you lost? Because the term "gay" in the context in which you're using it would mean happy or delighted."

Stupid. Dumb. Disappointing. I can think of at least 10 other words that would be much more appropriate than the word "gay." I know not everyone shares the same views or opinions, but that is just not a phrase that should be used...ever, regardless of your personal views. It's about respect. Respect for other people. It doesn't matter the color of someones skin, the religion someone practices, the clothes someone wears, or the lifestyle they lead. We are all human and we all deserve some level of respect.

I am NOT a perfect person, not by a long shot, but I am proud that I at least have the compassion and ability to help those in need. It took less than 10 seconds out of my day to help that gentleman, but judging from the actions (or lack of actions) by others in the same situation, my small gesture might have made a big impact on his day and that makes me happy. 

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The world is a lot bigger than the circumference  of the circle you can make with your  arms. Open your eyes a little wider and be just a little bit bigger than the space you immediately fill. It could make someone's day.