I know it’s not great to toot your own horn, but I am doing so to make a point. A couple of days ago I was walking down the street in my neighborhood. It was extremely hot out and I was hurrying along on the sidewalk, rushing to get to the subway. A woman approached me carrying an umbrella to shade herself from the hot sun. She was walking in the opposite direction to me and I stepped out of her way, at first thinking she was trying to get past me. I soon realized she wanted to speak to me, so I stopped and she asked me for directions on how to catch a particular bus. I told her the bus stop is about a block up the street, at the traffic lights and I turned around and pointed in the general direction I had just come from. I said to the stranger – since it was such an uncomfortably hot day, (heat-wave) she may prefer to walk to the subway with me, to wait for the bus from the confines of the cooler indoor temperature.
The woman seemed uncertain and then advised me she was no longer that familiar with the bus route as she had been away for some time. We were still standing on the busy street under the blazing hot mid-morning sun. I said to her…”Come with me to the subway and I will walk you to your bus.” My new momentary companion thanked me and gladly followed. As we walked along, she told me she had recently returned to the city after being out of the country for a five-year period taking care of her elderly parents. We maneuvered our way through the busy subway, up the escalators to the bus platform, chatting as we walked along. My fellow commuter kept thanking me for my kindness and said most people would have just given her general directions and be on their way. I said to her it was not a problem – I had time to spare, so I was glad to help. We got to our destination and I showed her where to embark on her bus. She again thanked me profusely and we wished each other a great day as we said goodbye. I turned around and continued my journey.
As I walked back down the escalator to get on the train, I realized I was in a much brighter mood than when I left my home and was walking down the street to start my day. It was now mere minutes later, but I felt uplifted and almost euphoric. It dawned on me that showing kindness can have reciprocal benefits. By me deciding to stop on the street and help a stranger, I had also helped myself. My random act of kindness buoyed my mood for the rest of the day, as I am almost sure it did that of my fellow commuter on that hot summer’s day.
Hello - From My Viewpoint 
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