“Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.” ~ Peter Marshall

I was going to write a great piece on how volunteering for your community not only is a ‘good thing’ but a win-win when it comes to business, but karma intervened…Last week I was on my way to teach a course downtown. I use transit as parking is at a premium – both space and price. The bus stop where I get on is fairly close to the beginning of the route so most times there is a choice of seats available.

A young fellow (anyone under the age of 35 is young to me!) was sitting with his backpack on the seat nearest the door. A construction worker got on with what appeared to be a pack, probably filled with tools, and had a bit of a limp. There were plenty of seats available but this young fellow got up and offered his seat to the worker with the explanation that he might like to rest his pack on the space above the bus’s wheel well. Ok, nothing too extraordinary there, but I noticed.

The young fellow then moved over to the seats facing front and next to the fold-up seats on the side. (they were open as seats.) The bus travels a couple more stops and then before we reach the next stop, this young fellow gets up, unlatches the seats so they are up, making space and then he walks to the front of the bus. Rather strange and I’m curious. (If you have ever taken the bus, you know that there are seats designated for the elderly, as well, those seats can go up for space for wheelchairs, walkers and/or parents with strollers. They’re marked with signage.)

The bus stops and a woman with a stroller gets on. This young fellow helps her with the stroller (much to her surprise and relief), shows her to the space he had made and then he goes and finds another seat at the back of the bus. No, he didn’t know that woman.

It really started me thinking about all the other people on that bus who were either tuned out with buds in their ears or eyes on their phones. Did anyone else notice what he did? I really wanted to say ‘thank-you’ but was it up to me? Would I embarrass him if I did? He left the bus a couple of stops before me and I tried to catch his eye and at least smile.

He impressed me in a way that kinda made me sad too. It used to be that we said ‘Good Morning’ to strangers on the bus or street. We were taught to give our seats to older people or people who looked like they needed it more than us. We helped other people with no thought to our actions or expectation of gratitude or accolades.

My day and subsequently the remainder of the week was changed. I looked at people differently, my ‘how can I help?’ mind set became even more focused (and here’s the good part!) it rubbed off on other people! It was good Karma.

April 12 – 18 is National Volunteer Week. I know we are all so busy with our lives and sometimes committing to be a volunteer for any organization can be challenging. So what about this, if just for this week, look for ways to help – the person on the bus, the mom with her arms full, the person rushing for the elevator. And maybe the week after?

Be aware, be engaged, be connected.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted…” ~ Aesop

Now Go Get Connected!

About Cathy Kuzel
With 25+ years of experience as a successful Entrepreneur and Business Consultant helping Entrepreneurs succeed, she is recognized across Canada for her in-house and public seminars on “All Things Small Biz”. Named one of the Top Ten Mentors in Canada, Cathy is the Founder of The Connected Woman Association, Author of “Are You a Collector or a Connector?”; “I’m on the Phone!”; the internationally known “Daily Espressos” and is a networking maven.