I worked in the afternoon this past Sunday before meeting a friend in Manhattan for dinner. I intentionally arrived early as I wanted to roam the streets on my own for a bit. As I passed the corner of 5th and 57th, I darn near tripped on a young woman who was sitting on the sidewalk propped up by the facade of a storefront. Her sign was made of cardboard. Written in black crayon was the word, “Homeless.” Next to her was a small basket with money in it.
Briskly By
As I looked down at her, she simultaneously peered up at me with her bright “robin egg” blue eyes. The first thought that rang through my mind was all the advice that I’ve heard over the years, “Don’t enable the homeless by giving them money. They’ll just spend it on drugs and alcohol anyway!”
Second Thoughts
In an instant I strutted by, until I was about twenty-five feet beyond and I stopped dead in my tracks. It felt so callous to simply ignore her as I was on my way to dinner myself. I back tracked, hand in my pocket and thoughts of encouragement on my mind. I bent over as I placed money in her basket and my hand on her shoulder, “I just couldn’t let those beautiful blue eyes go hungry!” I softly uttered with genuine empathy. It was a moment I don’t think I’ll ever forget. I felt as if I was able to see into her soul and I wanted to save her.
Regrets
I’m sometimes reminded that it’s healthier to live life without regrets, but often I just can’t help myself. I quickly wondered if perhaps I should have walked her to a diner and ordered food to ensure that those voices from the past didn’t ring true. “And couldn’t my words of encouragement have been more inspirational then a simple reference to her eyes?” I thought. Absolutely! “What a Dodo bird I can be sometimes.” Or perhaps I just expect too much of myself? I hoped she felt better, at least for a moment, to know that someone cared.
A Fine Line Between Success and Failure
Today I received my weekly posts from “Influencers on Linkedin.” Martha Stewart wrote that she found the confidence to succeed from the advice of her dad when she was twelve years old. He told her that she had the personal characteristics to succeed at anything she put her mind to. Peter Guber, entertainment tycoon, and owner of the Golden State Warriors basketball team, has been influenced greatly by his fellow competitors. Pat Riley, President of the Miami Heat, explained to Guber, “You are going to lose a lot! A lot! Get used to it! It’s a crucial part of the process!” A legendary player impressed Guber with more insight. “I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
There sure is a fine line between success and failure. Life is as much about attitude as it is aptitude. I wonder how the life of the woman on 5th Avenue might have been different if, as a child, she had been instilled with the same confidence as some others. I suppose we’ll never know.
What one insight has provided you with the most inspiration in your life?
Could it have made the difference between failure and success?
Having the reassurance and direct recognition from my dad each time he walked by me studying at the kitchen table while growing up provided me with the hope that hard work really does pay off
That’s great Mary-Jo. I was fortunate enough to have the same guidance.