Stranger Danger

Saw a lady trying to navigate down the subway stairs with this big awkward box from West Elm.

I was in a rush so I asked if she needed help carrying it down the stairs. Now, this was after I had already grabbed the other side & started carrying it. She looked at me suspiciously then said "No, I'm fine." Then I panicked bc I looked like I could be trying to Steal it!!! So I quickly dropped it. We both laughed. She relented & said yes that she could use the help.

So we darted down the first flight of stairs. Then another set of stairs!
A-holes aggressively pushed past us. But we kept on. We just kept on hauling! Each step praying the flimsy tape handle would Not BREAK!!!

Then it was time to pay at the turnstile. I asked if she needed help again. She said NO...Again! & I said fine but there are 2 more sets of stairs so your gonna Want help. I waited for her to swipe her metro card & turn the turnstile. Then walk through the exit door to meet me on the other side.

She paused & looked at me speculating. Like why was I waiting for her? Was there Something I wanted from her?!? I certainly Must be expecting Something in return! She couldn't figure it out...What was my angle?!?

I knew she needed & wanted the help.

SOOO

I lied.

I told her: "An old lady helped me last week carrying a box so that's the only reason why I'm helping you. You never realize how much help you need until you receive it & then you pay it forward."

She relaxed.
She found my angle.
I wasn't trying to take from her.
I was just trying to help.

Now we could be friends.

The DUMBO F train has a loooong tunnel leading to the arriving trains. This gave us enough time to chit chat. I asked what was in the box. & she said a side table to match her brand new West Elm couch! She beamed :))))
& I was beaming bc I was helping her beam :))))

She said she came all the way from Kew Gardens. & Now had to make her way back home!

This entire exchange took 4 minutes AT MOST.

But what a lasting impression it will leave.

In those instances when we have our guard up & don't Want to trust.
That is THE MOMENT we need to Trust the most!

Not everyone is out to get you.
Not everyone is angling.
Not everyone is Bad.

Trust in Strangers is what will Show you the light of humanity.

I am ashamed that I lied bc I really try not to lie. But in that moment I knew it would be easier for a Stranger to believe that I was only being nice bc I was once treated kindly.

Little white lie that disarmed her guard & instantly she felt safe with me.

But Why Did I HAVE to Lie?

Aren't there Strangers out there who keep us out of Danger?!?!

Today, think of ALL of the T.V. Programs you hear about Stranger's killing, beating, embezzling, kidnapping, stealing...

Now, think in your life about the Strangers that have helped you! Like the man who changed my flat tire on the Verrazano Bridge Christmas Eve 2 years ago! Or the girl who mailed back your favorite wallet...WITH THE CASH STILL IN IT!!!

When was the last time you did something nice for a Stranger?!?

When was the last time a Stranger did something nice for you?!?

Your assignment is to do one thing, it can be Anything kindly to a Complete Stranger.

How did you feel afterward?! Do you think the kindness they felt was greater then the light you have expanded within?

Everyday we encounter PEOPLE we don't know. & will NEVER see again. Yet, we ALL coexist.

Strange but we are Surrounded by Strangers!!!

In that there is no Danger...Just Love & this beautifully human experience :)

Xo