Several of my friends have commented that my posts are quite predictable, coming in at specific periods of the day (let me clarify, they are usually done during my morning commute, lunchtime and during the evening journey back from the office). To make these updates more meaningful, I have decided to do at least one post a week on the going ons around my estate/community. Yesterday, I was crossing the overhead bridge at serangoon (to catch an approaching bus) when I noticed an elderly man attempting to cross the same bridge. I noticed that he was taking a long time climbing the steps (like, 5 to 10 seconds per step) and was in despair, so I approached him and asked if he needed any assistance. Like any independent gentleman, he politely declined the offer. But I knew better. I held his arm and guided him up the stairs of the overhead bridge. He commented that the pain in his legs was killing him. I encouraged him along. He made it up and across in less than the ten-odd minutes he would have otherwise taken, and we parted ways there. Before you start thinking how great an act this was, I have to qualify that this was the placebo effect in play. I had merely guided the old man up the stairs, he did the climbing all by himself. I encouraged him along the way, he saw it through the journey by himself. In fact, he made it up the stairs at a much faster pace and with a smile on his face, although he was (mostly) in control of his actions. I ended up missing the bus and was late for my appointment, but in hindsight, I would not have done it any differently. I had respected this gentlemans independence (i could have carried him across), provided moral support to this member of the #pioneergeneration and accompanied him for medical assistance in case his legs could no longer take it. More importantly, though, was what he taught me through this interaction: What the mind believes it can achieve, it will set out to achieve it. Happy week ahead! =)
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 00:49:32 +0000
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