Tidbit Tuesday
I work hard to be positive and have thought inspiring posts… but this time I am having a hard time with sounding negative, so please forgive me for that. But hopefully this post will be thought inspiring none the less.
I am concerned with how we are treating each other . This is not the first time I am writing about this. I feel called to point out the examples that I see or have experienced in person, on social media, or hear in my family and friends stories. I write these as points for you to reflect on and think about later…. I think writing about is also helps me frame these situations in my head for a what I would do or have done….. My hope is that this will help you for later, As in, if I come across this type of situation in the future what will I do, what will my roll be? Walk away, offer kind words, help, shame or command the “audience”? This sort of pre-thinking helps me to reflect and also prepare for the future. I hope it will help you.
Ok, now for the situation….
Think busy mall on a busy Saturday afternoon, my brother is up on the 3rd floor, waiting for his girlfriend to finish shopping in a store and so he is in the open walkway looking over the railing down at the busy first floor. A woman with a service dog catches his eye, she appears to be hurrying, suddenly the dog begins to poop on the floor, this happens to be near a large sitting area and food court. He can see the woman is stressed and panicking a bit. No one will help her and people begin to yell at her, yelling “gross” and “what’s wrong with you” “get that dog and poop out of here”, throughout the entire time people are yelling and making rude comments to her, loud enough to be heard on the 3rd floor! She has her hands full and is desperately looking for something or someone to help her. Eventually someone walking by throws a bag at her, she bends down and is trying to wipe the dog poop and its smearing; people continue yelling and then she spills her soda all over the floor. NOT one person helped this woman out! My brother said there had to be at least 6 strollers nearby. ( not one of them had wet wipes for a child emergency??) Eventually she had done what she could and just gave up. She begins looking around frantically for a trash can, someone does point in the direction of one, at that point she took what she could to that trash can and then just left. My brother was crushed. He could not get down to the 1st floor from the 3rd floor easily or in what he felt was a timely matter. This was at the Mall of America, if any of you have been there its huge and the escalators are not always convenient to get to. He was upset enough to talk about it for most of family brunch on Sunday.
This brings me to my concerns, where has our empathy gone? our compassion? When have people moved from jeering and saying rude things from the safety behind their screens to real life (I do not think this is acceptable either way)? How is it we have moved the needle so far that no one is willing to help someone in need? I can’t imagine how that woman felt! Aside from any other reasons to help someone in need, she clearly had something going on that she had a service dog with her, which makes the situation even more deplorable in my eyes.
Just some food for thought. When coming on or visualizing a situation where someone appears in need. First the situation must be assessed, can your life or your families life be in danger if you help? Is the scene safe for you to help, you don’t want to become a second victim. If the answer is yes to either of those or even if you are feeling uneasy or fearful of helping, then it IS your responsibility to call for help for that person… police, security, emergency services, and if able yell to them that help is on the way. In her situation if you are near and can’t help, notify a local business to call for housekeeping or maintenance to clean the mess. hopefully if you have any items to help you will help or if something like napkins from the food court are near by grab some. Also if it safe take a stand with her and don’t let bullies yell and belittle her.
Luckily, I know that there are still good hearted people out there fighting for those in need and those that don’t have a voice of their own. So, for those of you who are saying “Me” I would have helped or gone above and beyond for this woman or any other person in I commend you and we need more of you!
In our complex and ever isolating world, we have a responsibility to being involved in our community… be the village, be the voice… for those in need, for each other, for our children, for our future…. Our existence depends on it.
When you are in a good space take time to reflect on what you would do, what’s most important here and talk to your kids. We teach our kids and others by example. Be the Shining light, Be the Star
Sending all my Grace and Love
