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25 cents buys change.
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25 Cents Buys Change
By Randi Smith-Todorowski
Self-Awareness Expert
3rd Degree Black Belt
You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can
do nothing for him.
- James D. Miles
Occasionally in life, we are blessed with snap shots of ourselves, frozen
for one instant, just long enough to observe ourselves from the third
person. These are the defining moments that come with self-awareness.
From experience, I will say that the most defining moments are actually
painful and valuable teaching tools.
Recently, $0.25 bought me a snap shot of who I am. I am not proud to say,
that I am a fraud. Although, 25 cents no longer buys a cup of coffee, a
pack of gum or even a phone call, I learned that $0.25 still saves a young
woman from humiliation when her period shows up unexpectedly.
Shopping for a deal on a new television, we were in a high end electronics
store. A trip to ladies room, found me face to face with a young woman
asking for a quarter. She may as well have asked me for a $100 or a $1000
for that matter. My automatic response was so canned and conditioned, "I
don't carry any change."
She was asking me for money and my programming kicked in. Fortunately,
I realized that she was looking past me and at the tampon vending machine.
I dug into my purse and gave her a quarter. In that moment, I knew I had
made her day. In the same moment, I was deeply troubled to see that I even
hesitated to help this young woman in need of a quarter. I was disgusted
and grateful.
It is easy to sit back and judge me, but I challenge you to answer, "Are you
who you think you are?"
Kung Fu training certainly hasn't made me perfect, but it has increased my
level of self-awareness to the point that I can learn and grow from
observing my daily interactions. Embrace your defining moments without
judgment and open your heart.
When you don't like what you see, just change your course and continue on
your journey. Remember the true test of character comes in how you treat
those who can do nothing for you. Black Belts in Life continue to boost
their self awareness and learn from their mistakes.
Be empowered!
Randi
* All articles are the property of their owners. All WomanSavers expert articles are copyright of the individual authors, unless specified.
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