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Oct. 4th, 2006 07:14 pmI've been reading a very interesting blog about Ian Wood's recumbent trike trip across the US. Read the "On the Road" bits in the archive; I highly recommend it -- in addition to the coolness of riding across the US, he's witty and not afraid to show the mental turmoil he is going through, which I think many of us go through (only not as eloquently). But, as interesting as that is, that's not what I wanted to post about.
In the part of Ian's blog that I have read so far, he's talked about a few people who I find simply awe-inspiring. The Cookie Lady (talked about here and here is just amazing to me. So is Bernie. These people are able to give of themselves to strangers, to really go out of their way to be friendly and kind and helpful.
I wonder if I could do that, or if there is something in me (either innate or trained) that would make such a thing impossible for me. How many times have I passed by a hitchhiker and thought only of my own safety if I stopped (even though I know that percentage-wise, the hitch-hiker is in more danger from the ride giver than vice-versa)?
I'd walk through fire for a friend, but I'm not sure how much I am willing to do for a stranger. Maybe after reading about more people like these, I'll be a bit more willing to help a stranger.
In the part of Ian's blog that I have read so far, he's talked about a few people who I find simply awe-inspiring. The Cookie Lady (talked about here and here is just amazing to me. So is Bernie. These people are able to give of themselves to strangers, to really go out of their way to be friendly and kind and helpful.
I wonder if I could do that, or if there is something in me (either innate or trained) that would make such a thing impossible for me. How many times have I passed by a hitchhiker and thought only of my own safety if I stopped (even though I know that percentage-wise, the hitch-hiker is in more danger from the ride giver than vice-versa)?
I'd walk through fire for a friend, but I'm not sure how much I am willing to do for a stranger. Maybe after reading about more people like these, I'll be a bit more willing to help a stranger.