There are times when you just need to stop and help someone even if it means a negative outcome for yourself. It doesn’t have to be a big something, but a daily pause in our overscheduled days. Some might say, “no good deed goes unpunished,” but I refuse to let that negative attitude stand in the way of helping someone. 

Case in point: Recently, I was in downtown Wayne running a few errands and I forgot to pay my meter. As I pulled into a parking spot, I consciously thought to myself, “Don’t forget to pay the meter,” but that fleeting thought left my brain as quickly as it entered and I went on with my business – first to the cleaners, then to the jewelry store. As I was walking out of the jewelry store, I saw an elderly woman standing at a parking meter pay station which reminded me that I forgot to pay my meter! As I hustled to my car and got closer to the woman, she turned and asked for my assistance. In this quick second, I had to choose between the likely ticket or helping the woman. I took a deep breath, smiled, and stopped to help. Her hands were shaking so she couldn’t work the buttons on the machine; she also didn’t know where she was going, so I had to give her directions. 

Cost of parking ticket: $20. Cost of helping a neighbor: priceless.