Take THAT to the bank!

Taking a little break from recapping everything that I learn in school (sorry, last week was a bit much), I wanted to share something that inspired me this week.

Yesterday I had my whole morning planned out productively before the start of my first class at 12:30pm.  On my list was a quick stop at the bank where I needed to have them sign a brief form.  Upon entering the bank you need to put in your information and get a printout of your number in line.  I received number 33 when they were up to 26 - not too bad.  So I take a seat and realize the line isn't moving as quickly as I would have hoped but there's not much to do about it other than wait patiently. 

Then this woman comes over to the waiting section and says out loud that she is really in a hurry but needs to get whatever she came in for taken care of.  My first thought - which wasn't just passive, rather I really said to myself internally - was that we're all in some kind of rush.  I don't think that really anyone sitting there had NOTHING else to do after being at the bank, and immediately thought that if she asked me to go before me I would say that I, too, am in a rush.  She then turned to one of the girls sitting on the periphery of the waiting area, just in front of me, and asked her what number she was - 31 - and if she would mind switching.  Without hesitation (at least that is what it appeared like), the nice young girl agreed, and the 2 of them switched numbers.

I have to say that it struck me quite hard that mentally I had been so selfish and unsympathetic, and yet this other person was so quick to put the rushing woman before herself (and yes, the woman was really appreciative). 

I wanted to rectify the situation and allow myself to be inspired and so I turned to the girl, asked her what number the woman had given her instead (35) and quickly insisted that she switch with me as she had been before me in line anyway.  Despite her initial refusal to allow me to switch with her, I was persistent and assured her I wasn't in a rush.  She smiled :)

It's crazy how that brief incident turned around my whole day!  I was suddenly seeing opportunities to help people all over the place (like the woman bringing her baby's carriage down the steps one by one because the elevator was broken, or holding open a door for someone in the library because their arms were full, etc...) and I was really inspired to take an active role in those situations.  I hope this push stays with me and that I can maybe inspire others the way that girl from the bank inspired me - and to continue to help pay it forward, spreading a little more light in this world.

HAPPY CHANNUKAH!