I am in the middle of reading a new book “Infectious Generosity” by Chris Anderson that I recommend highly. It encourages the nobility of being abundantly generous in all we do, as a currency, as a habit, even as a reaction to the challenges we unexpectantly face.
The story he tells on page 38 had a memorable effect on me (details are abridged from the text, marked by ellipses):
On the evening of February 5, 2022, a…carpenter…stood at a railroad crossing…and he…stopped to let a freight train pass. A young girl…got her foot stuck under the track and fell over. Amid cries of rising panic, he…saw her sprawled on the tracks, the train rapidly approaching.
He raced to the tracks. In a fraction of a second he saw it was too late to pull her clear of the oncoming train, so he dived onto the tracks and held her close to the ground, covering her head. Moments later the train roared over them, with carriage after carriage passing just inches above their heads. Both were able to get up and walk away…
He continued home–he did not even stop to ask the girl her name. When a video of his lifesaving heroism went viral, he replied modestly that he had simply acted on instinct.
The story is true. The moral is rich.
We certainly offer our insight and services for sale, and often we instinctively add complementary advice. We draw upon our experience generously, especially in LinkedIn posts and comments, in our words and written thoughts. We could share, opine, comment more often; I suggest you contribute every time we have something important or useful for others to know, feel, believe, act on.
I am not asking you to put your health or welfare at risk, but I suggest we all routinely offer a covering of warmth and protection to those who can use it, even if for a few moments. It’s what we do.
Wonderful story, we need more of those spotlighted to spread the word and inspire others to follow suit!