Still the same kind, loving soul you've always been, Michael. xo
This small story sums up what makes life worth living. Beautifully done.
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Lovely. A kind reminder of what we gain when we let go of what we think we need.
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Nicely done. I also notice that when I stop to help someone who is slower paced it puts me in a calmer place. Not only did you help someone else but in so doing you helped yourself. Always feels good!!
Good deed! Just wondered about the part of inhaling dinner in the morning...
@MP My bet is that for Michael Milton, dinner on Sunday is a midday meal.
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What a refreshing story especially in the midst of the lack of civility and cruelty to the weak that happen these days. Thanks Michael for sharing; you will not lose your reward. In fact you got some of it already two minutes later.
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Michael, it's wonderful that you did this. But it's also decidedly sad that offering a helping hand can seem sufficiently rare so as to earn special mention.
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You were vibrating at a higher level.
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Thumbs up. Sure your Mom is so proud of you. Best thing that happened today to everyone who read your essay.
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Karma happens...
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Thank you for sharing this. It is amazing how much good helping others does for ourselves. I helped an elderly lady use the price scanner in CVS last weekend--she was struggling so I just went over and assisted her. She was appreciative and I felt good all day.
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It's amazing the lift that we receive from helping others. I have found myself smiling as I walk to work just from someone's sincere gratitude at offering just a minute of time, or even a friendly greeting. If you are not fortunate enough to do this for a living, VOLUNTEER your time and you will be rewarded tenfold.
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Reading this made me slow down and breathe. I read it twice. Thanks for making my day.
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A true lesson in mindfulness. You allowed yourself to BE in the moment.
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Hilarious that he was rushing to meditate.
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Michael, That was your meditation--on loving kindness!
Wonderful piece. Thank you.
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Thank you Michael! A reminder of the good that is in all of us, if we take the time to listen to it.
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Meditation comes to us in many forms.
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It's my habit now to stop and offer assistance where I think it will be useful - to a person having trouble navigating a street crossing, to a person with more packages than they can handle, to tourists obviously going the wrong way. I don't even think about it, I just do it. Once upon a time, my stopping to speak to strangers embarrassed my kids. Now they are grown up and they do it, too. Thanks for your story Michael. It made my day, today, too.
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Love!
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I do wish you too had shared out loudwith the man, the effect of your actions, that it was also the best thing that happened to you.
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Thank you. You had a Buddha moment. May it linger.
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yes. it was clear he needed to rearrange his priorities!!
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In Zen Buddhism, enlightenment is achieved through a series of epiphanies.
You're on your way.
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Even though others have said this and many others will say this later, reading this was the best thing that happened to me today, tomorrow, this week, this year......
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breathtaking and beautiful, thank you.
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I am copying and framing the story of this important effort to give as a birthday gift to each of my eight grandchildren. If even one if them remembers it, I will consider it to have been worth doing.
PS Along with a crisp bill, of course.
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Just lovely. Thank you.
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I agree with others who commented - this is the best thing that has happened to ME today. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story.
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Gosh, you achieved a transcendent state of meditation in those two minutes in the subway, with a stranger who needed help. How wonderful!
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Did you make it to your meditation? You did a beautiful thing and made me happy at least for today. Thank you.
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I might have to disagree with Mr. Milton. I think it’s the best thing that will ever happened to me today! #BeKind... it’s a beautiful thing!
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Michael, I lost my breath reading your Diary . I felt like I as rushing around with you. And then you stopped. And I breathed again. I will hold the feelings of kindness and connection with me throughout the day I hope.
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A great piece about the power of taking time to help another. The Golden Rule is golden because it's good for everyone involved. Thank you Michael for the reminder.
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Dear Michael,
Your Diary entry brought both tears to my eyes and a smile to my lips. The story you recount is a wonderful reminder of the inestimable value of stopping to render aid to one who needs it; how so little time and effort on our part can translate into so great a gift to the one we assist, to ourselves, and to the city. All I can say is thank you for the gift of your story, which also brought to mind Sean Pritchard’s account last month which featured one great New Yorker after another who helped him get back to his Brooklyn home after he had injured his knee in the subway. In such ways does the Metropolitan Diary inspire us all.
Stay well and may your thoughtfulness and kindness be returned to you in manifold ways. Allen
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My problem with religion is that people are always thinking about themselves, even (or especially) when they're doing good deeds.
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"Always"? This is a pretty blanket assessment--and not particularly accurate either.
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This is marvelous.
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The eternal now with its gift of the present moment. Thank you for sharing.
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I was late to a meetcimokete incompketeg one morning and passed an old man struggling to change his tire. I actually walked past him, got halfway done the block until I could no longer ignore the screaming in my head. I turned around, fixed his tire and was 15 minutes late to my meeting with filthy hands. Felt great all day. Definitely a Zen kinda thing.
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Dear Michael,
Your Metropolitan Diary entry is the best thing that happened to me today.
When I reached the end of your story, I read it two more times. The only word that my usual wordy self could think of was, “Wow!”
Sincerely,
Dean
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That's so inspirational. Thank you for sharing that. You've not only set an example for what to do while I can still be helpful, but also made me feel less scared of growing old in New York City, knowing that there are people like you right here.
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