Helping the Blind

I had an amazing experience today. As I stepped off the metrorail on my way to work, a blind man with a seeing-eye dog asked the group on the platform if this current train was going to government center. Some people ignored him, others just answered with a short 'no'. He looked frustrated. I felt a tugging at my heart to help him out. It just seemed wrong to walk away. That wasn't even an option. I walked over to him and confirmed that he was on his way to government center. When he said yes, I kindly told him that he was currently standing on the southbound platform and he needed to be on the northbound platform to get to his destination. He sighed and told me that he had been standing on that southbound platform for a long time, asking many people about the train to government center. He seemed so sad that nobody had informed him that he was on the wrong platform. It choked me up. I find it extremely frustrating that people are so wrapped up in their little bubble worlds that they can't even take a moment to help a clean-cut blind man with a seeing-eye dog who was so obviously lost. Especially when the assistance he needed was simply to direct him to the next platform over. I guided this man to the elevator and we rode down together. At the ground floor, I guided him to another elevator and told him that at the top of the elevator he would be on the correct platform. He seemed genuinely touched. And this touched me unlike anything I've experienced lately. A lady who had been watching us walked up to me and asked me directions because she was a little lost. I helped her find her destination and she said "stay sweet. don't ever change." As she walked away from me she said "this is going to be a good day!". Then, as I dropped my father's day cards into the mailbox down the street, a lady approached me asking for help finding southeast 3rd avenue. I thought about it and looked at the street signs, and I had to tell this lady that I couldn't help her. I apologized and walked on.

I don't know this city very well, and I don't perfectly understand the metrorail system, but I took the time to help these people find their way. I think this situation occurs many times throughout our daily lives. We are given a task or a problem that we are not familiar with or an expert in and we get frustrated. I couldn't help all 3 people who approached me today. I helped two. It made my day and I wasn't even the one who received the help. I cannot solve all the problems that are put in front of me, but I commit to doing my best when I can and admitting I need help or don't know when I find myself in that situation. I challenge you to do the same. Today made me feel good. I agree with the lady that Today Was a Good Day.