Who Can You Help Today?

One night, at 11:30 PM, an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm.

Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride.

Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxi cab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him.

Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home A special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others." Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.

What can we learn from this?

If you were put in the same situation would you have picked up the older woman? What people in your life are you neglecting by not recognizing for their contribution? I challenge all of you this week to say hello, smile, or introduce yourself to someone you pass by everyday but do not recognize. This may be a security officer, secretary, waitress, barista at Starbucks, groundskeeper, or any other person you come into contact with each day. Try and pick someone who you feel needs love and acknowledge them.

Would you have sent a letter or TV to the person who picked you up? Are you giving gratitude to the people who serve you? The greatest act of gratitude doesn't even cost us a dime and thats by giving a compliment. Tell your co-worker how great they have been looking or your secretary how great of a job she has been doing. My mentor Jon Gordon says "when gratitude comes from your heart, abundance pours into your life."