Planting The Seed Of Compassion.
I have always known that one of the purposes of every human being here in the world is to support their fellow humans, and even God instructed that we must love our neighbors as ourselves. No human life or journey through life is designed perfectly, and whether we like it or not, we will need help from someone who might even be a complete stranger, so it's left to us whether to take the help or not.
It's a natural thing to be in need because no man has it all. Even the wealthy people we admire in the world today have something they are lacking and have to depend on other people for it. I think it's fair to say that our existence was designed like that so that we can live in harmony and also know that we have a common goal, but it's the other way around. If we look into the world today, a lot of people feel superior to their fellow humans just because they have something others don't have, forgetting that there are things that they don't have as well and someone else has in abundance.
Asking for help is one of the most challenging things for me to do, but I have been through many things in life that I wouldn't have overcome without the help of others. Every good thing people did for me left a mark on my heart, which reminds me of being selfless. It reminds me to always be there for others and to help without expecting anything in return.
Not helping someone in need of something in my possession is almost impossible for me because of my upbringing. The journey from childhood to adulthood was so rough, and I understand what it means for someone to be in need. **I want everyone to understand that not everyone asking for help is happy doing it, but they have gotten to a point in life when they don't have other choices than to ask. **
There was a time I needed shelter, food, and clothes, and they didn't come easy, so anyone with my kind of experience wouldn't hesitate to always help others because I have been in their condition before.
One of the things I received that inspired me to always help others happened almost two decades ago. I place so much value on every assistance that is rendered to me, but this hits differently. I just concluded JSS 3 then, and something happened on my graduation ceremony into senior secondary school.
The top 3 students among the graduates always get free tickets to the school graduation ceremony, and I worked really hard just to get a spot since paying wasn't certain and I didn't want to miss that big day. I got a spot, but there was a little challenge, and it was something we couldn't handle.
On my graduation day, I sat outside the house where my family lived and cried because life was so tough to the point where I couldn't afford even a second dress. It wasn't like I wanted new clothes for the event, and the truth is that I don't have any clothes for the outing.
My mom tried comforting me, but nothing worked. The thought of missing out on the event made me really sad, and it also made me think about why my life was miserable, why I have to struggle for everything and can't match up with my peers.
While thinking and crying, an elderly man who was a church member passed. He had a job in the compound next to where I lived and couldn't ignore me.
"What happened? Where is your mother?" He asked me, and I called Mom, who joined us outside immediately.
He asked what was wrong, and mom tried to prevent him from knowing what was happening, but I had to let the cat out of the basket.
The man felt sad immediately after he heard my problem, so he reached for his purse and gave me $2.5. He said he could have given more, but that was all he had on him, and the little cash remaining would be used to transport himself home.
I was surprised because I expected nothing from him since we don't even interact, but I know him as a church member. Immediately after the man left, mom added some, and we rushed to get a second-hand top and jeans at a Katangwa market.
We got back home, and I just wore the clothes, even without washing. The help that man rendered that day rang in my head for a long time, and it made me realize that we don't need to be friends or family before we can help each other.
The short nonfiction story you just read opened my mind to helping others, no matter what the situation might be. My family became close to the man's family, and till today, I am happy to always see this man, even though he has aged a lot.
In life, the possibility of living all by ourselves without having anything to do with other humans is impossible. Every human is important and serves a vital purpose in someone else's existence.
All Image in post belong to me.
Well said, well narrated and understood. That’s life for us. I really felt bad when you got nothing to wear on that day. And I could even feel the joy of not washing those wears before putting them on, because I have also been in those shoes too.
That man might not know the weight of what he had done then. Only if he could have the opportunity to read this. I am sure tears would drop down his face.
Honestly he doesn't know the impact and I made sure we never lost connection. I always check up on him not often and he is still as kind as ever.
He inspired me to be helpful to others no matter what life brings our way.
I also appreciate him for his personality not changing despite how long time changed. He is a good man with a great heart and so are you.
It's incredible how the moments that mark us the most are usually either at school or during the transition from teenager to adult, congratulations on the text my friend, really during school, I also went through difficulties where I often needed to borrow things or ask for help, thanks to God I had many people who always helped me and I always try to give back
Facing a lot of challenges while growing has helped us become better human and I am happy it's not the other way around. Many things we are doing today were inspired when we were very much younger and I appreciate that many of us didn't let go off those great lessons from back then.