Heart of Gold

I've been brought up to always be kind, compassionate and patient, even when faced with your foe, friend, or stranger. Those three principles always seem to rise above the rest. Whether I offer to carry an elderly person's groceries, or for a woman juggling a baby and a squealing toddler, it's in those moments where the person’s eyes brighten. Compassion for those who are struggling, I know what it is like, I too have struggled. They don't have that extra dollar when they are at the checkout, seeing the look on customers faces when the boss says no worries and have a good day is priceless and fleeting. It's these little moments that spark the fuel in me to remember compassion and understanding, no matter whose shoes we stand in.

I believe the biggest gift we can offer anyone, is to truly see that when a person is acting with anger, often it is them that are hurting inside. They hide it with a flawless façade of fake confidence and authority, when internally they are screaming silently for help. Popular girls and boys at high school, on the outside their life is great, they are admired, they are a teacher’s pet, and they are usually pretty or charming. However, from an observer’s point of view I see the erratic outbursts, they can be the nastiest people I know, yet I never react, only listen, and pay no mind to them. I have known many people in my life like this, whether they are family, friends, or strangers on the street. I find it wise to listen to their dilemmas, I know there is no use in arguing, it is pointless. The best thing to do it to listen and be patient. It is a greater gift than anything else and they will see it.

It was a hot afternoon, in a little fruit shop with no aircon and sweat dripping down people’s legs, we were all feeling the heat. I was waiting at the checkout, I’m second in line maybe, I look over as my gaze drifts and I see this elderly lady, leaning forward dependently on her trolley, I was afraid the trolley might have flown forward while rolling. I look further up, and I see she is reaching for milk that is on the highest shelf. The thing is though, she was very short and had a deep arching hunch which made her whole upper body lean curved downward. This little old lady couldn’t even see where her hand was going because her head was facing down due to her hunch. Who knows how long she could have been there for, aimlessly searching and gripping to the bottle of milk she was looking for, only to have to put it back because she got the wrong one? There is nothing special about what I did, I simply asked her what milk she desired and got it for her, she gave one of those old people grudge sounds that mimicked yes please. I see it as stately duty or merely common sense and compassion. I’m human and it pains for me to see our fellows left behind.

There seems to be a correlation between people who have experienced suffering, loss or betrayal and understanding that people are not what they do, but they are someone else behind their mask. Perhaps it has something to with how we are raised, but there are a kind of people who are naturals. Simply put, do to others what you would have them do to you. A person with willing kindness and compassion has a heart of gold, don’t take them for granted, it is what we are all searching for.