The Power of Kindness: Stories of Life-Changing Empathy

The importance of some people in life can't be overemphasized. I've been lucky to come across some people who have had a massive positive impact on my life, and till date, I'm still grateful and feel the impact of what they did or are still doing. Having the right set of people around us goes a long way in shaping our lives in the right direction, and today I'll love to delve into a recount of some amazing people that have impacted my life and how thrilled I'm by their empathy towards me.

There are some people who'll enter our lives either for a short period or long term, but regardless of the duration, they leave a lasting impact that helps us either conquer a difficult situation, achieve a goal, or attain a milestone we've been chasing for a long time. I've had such people in my life, and I've been grateful and will forever be grateful because, looking back, I can't help but wonder what my life would be like had they not been a part of my life journey.

I remember during my undergraduate years, a few weeks before I graduated, a list was posted on the notice board and school website that some of our students results were missing, and if that wasn't clarified before the collation of the results, then we wouldn't be graduating but instead would have an extra year to do the particular course again. Going to the notice board and seeing my name broke me. I was literally dejected and unsure of what to do, probably because I've heard news of how most such scripts are hardly found.

But then I went to the degree office, where we were asked to come for the cross-checking and sorting of the issue. On getting there, I met with a long line of students who also had the same issue and came for the same thing I was there for. To cut a long story short, most of us were ushered into a room where the scripts of previous exams were kept so we could search for our script, the score sheet, and the like.

Though a man, after several hours in that room and searching tirelessly, I saw some students who had been there before me crying at the realization that they'd be having an extra year to come sit for the same exam again. Even though their script was misplaced by the negligence of those in charge, I guess they'd searched everywhere without a positive outcome, so they left in tears. For me, I kept on searching until reality dawned on me as well.

When I got exhausted, rather than leave or cry, I just saw myself in one corner of the room, deep in thoughts and with tearful eyes, and didn't know when everyone around me left. I guess I've been in that position for a long time because the person who ought to close the door came to tap me and said she's been calling me, but I didn't respond, so she decided to tap me to gain my attention. She asked what I was thinking at that level, and I told her about my ordeals.

I guess she placed herself in my shoes and had empathy for me, so rather than close the office to go home, she said she'd join me in searching for the script. I told her my name, and we began searching all over again. That continued for the next hour, and when there was no positive outcome, she took me from where our script was kept to the next room where the scripts of the NCE students were kept, and we began searching that place too. To cut a long story short, my file was found in that place after searching for almost 3 hours.

I was overwhelmed with joy and couldn't help but keep thanking her for helping me search and for investing her time in the course. I mean, she ought to have left by 5 p.m., but she waited to help me out of empathy till around 8 p.m., despite her husband calling to inquire about her whereabouts and when she'd be coming.

The act of hers was one that really had a massive impact on my life because had I not seen that file, then I'd have an extra year and pay another set of school fees, and that's something I'm not sure my parents could handle again because I know how relieved they were when they sent me the last set of my tuition fees.

All photos are taken and edited on canva