Even Small Good Deeds Take Courage

The other day, when the heatwave was still going strong, I was driving home from my singing class and saw an acquaintance walk from her office to the train station. The walk is about a mile long and pretty enjoyable in normal weather. However, there is no shade along the way and the temperature was in the high 30s (around 100 degrees in Farenheit).

I drove past her and debated whether to stop and offer her a lift to the train station. I did not know her much at all and the last time we had any contact was more than a year ago. I was certain she would not remember me. I was worried that she would think it very awkward of me to offer my help. I didn't want to intrude.

I still regret not stopping that day and it's made me wonder about why I didn't do what I considered the "decent thing to do".

We often assume that people don't do the right thing because they are selfish. We think that there is only a very small number of people in the world, who want to make the world a better place, be generous, and make the difference.

What if that's not the case?

I think that most of the time, what keeps us from doing the "right thing" is fear. Fear of being misunderstood. Fear of looking ridiculous. Fear of rejection.

I wanted to stop and give this semi stranger a lift. I wanted to, but I didn't because I was too worried about how strange I would feel if she didn't accept the help I was offering.

In hindsight, I think that it would have been better to "feel rejected" for a smidge, than not doing what I thought was the right thing.

Makes you wonder, doesn't it? How many good deeds don't get done because we worry too much about rejection?