As many of you know, I spend a lot of time on the trains here in Chicago. I find human behavior fascinating, bewildering, and everything in between. I wrote a post last year about assumptions; we all make them, and sometimes we are spot on. Ah, but then there are those other times where our assumptions are simply based on habitual thoughts and beliefs we have created all by ourselves. I know it is a good thing to ‘assume’ that meeting a stranger wearing a scary mask in a dark alley would probably lend itself well to the huge assumption that you need to get the heck out of there!
However, a lot of life is made from a judgment call in any given situation. I was on the train a few days ago at an off-peak time. A gentleman boarded the train toting behind him an old, disheveled suitcase of sorts. Its contents were sticking out of the bag at various spots. Quietly he began to open the bag and take out a stack of newsletter/brochure/booklet type items. My initial thought was, oh no, what is he selling because it’s illegal to sell/beg/steal/borrow? on the train.
As I glanced over at him I realized this gentle person wasn’t selling anything at all. In fact, he was carefully placing these booklets on any empty seat he found. He also handed a booklet to various passengers without saying a word. I took one and began to smile. The booklet I was handed was simply a free publication from a local organization and are available from news boxes everywhere (health and wellness related topics which I had seen and read before). I saw another brochure on an empty seat which was about family and community activities for everyone.
I began to read my hand-picked publication. After several stops, the man simply left the train, and carried on his way. My initial thought and assumption was completely incorrect. He simply felt it a nice idea to share some kindness and provide fellow travelers with some reading material that did not cost him (nor us) a single penny. With his quiet demeanor, I realized that from his perspective he was doing something kind without asking for anything in return. The INTENTION was what mattered, not the publication or whatever it was. And you know something, I like that a lot. I hope I see the magazine man again; this time I won’t be so quick to jump from A-C without first considering B. You get the picture; or in this case, booklet!
Oh and by the way, the picture of the magazine at the top of this post? It’s the publication I received from the gentleman on the train that day!
How nice of him
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I thought so too! I’m so glad my assumptions were entirely wrong!! Cher xo
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Learning process:)
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Indeed my dear; indeed! 😉 xo
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Thought provoking!
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What thank you so much for that!! Cher xo
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Glad he turned out to be a nice old bloke, sharing some helpful magazines with others. Wonders will never cease.. these little moments can surprise us.
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Oh yes, it was quite the nice surprise and a good reminder for me not to make assumptions!! Thank you, Marje! Cher xo
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Wow very powerful! We make so many assumptions and judgements throughout even just one day! Very nice Cher xxx
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Thank you so much, Lyn! We really do, don’t we? Cher xo
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Yes when I was reading this I realized how much I assume all day! xo
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Reblogged this on Suzie Speaks and commented:
I loved this post from Cher – it’s so true about the assumptions that we make of others. Please don’t like or comment on my reblog – hop on over to The Chicago Files and leave your comments there… I’m sure Cher will be delighted to hear from you!
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I’d be chuffed to receive this particular one and surprised because it’s a member of the public doing something nice on public transport! I’ve actually seen people physically fight over the last copy of our cities free paper. Shame more people aren’t like him. I do my very small bit by leaving copies of glossy magazine’s at my local bus stop when I’m finished with them.
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Ah, that is crazy, isn’t it, Chrissie? Well that is extremely thoughtful of you and believe me, the person who finds it will be very pleased! Cher xo
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What a lovely story, thanks for sharing! 🙂
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Why thank you kindly!! I really appreciate it! I truly believe that kindness can be shown in little ways and yet the gestures can make such a significant impact on one another! Cher xo
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You never know who you will bump into, and you can’t ever know for sure what they are about, by just looking at them. What a great interaction. That pamphlet looks like it has some really useful stuff in it!
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I agree with you, my dear! I think we always need to be mindful of these things for sure! Yes, that publication is great! Cher xo
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