Motivation Monday's
Life Vest Inside has had the very good fortune of finding writers willing to share their Kindness Stories with us. One of our special recurring writers is David Jablinowitz, Op-Ed Editor at Jerusalem Post, who is famous for his “bus stories.”
Show That You Care
Central Bus Station in Jerusalem this evening: I could sense that something was up.
I wasn’t sure how old she was: still in high school or perhaps older. She seemed troubled, not focused on her surroundings.
I approached her without making it dramatic. I asked her if she was alright. She clearly was relieved to have the opportunity to express herself.
She said she was running away from home. She had a knapsack, but it wasn’t all that large.
She said that she was getting on the bus about to leave for the Jordan Valley. It was soon departing from the platform next to where my bus to Beit Shemesh picks up passengers.
Then she didn’t want to talk anymore. She said she was going to get a snack.
That gave me the opportunity to board her bus. The door was still closed. Only the driver was inside. I knocked on the door. He let me in.
I told him about one of his passengers about to get on. I described what she looked like and said she would be carrying a knapsack.
He thanked me and told me that he’s been through this before, situations in which he got in touch with social workers or medical personnel. There was even one time, he said, when in coordination with all sides including the runaway youth himself, he drove the teen back to Jerusalem after finishing the route to the Jordan Valley.
“We bus drivers have to be many things,” he explained. “Sometimes it’s just showing someone who is troubled that you care.
“Then he asked me: “How did you figure out that something wasn’t right regarding this girl?”
“Just a hunch,” I said. To which he replied: “You could be a bus driver.”
Praying that it worked out well tonight.
~ David Jablinowitz
Finding yourself inspired to share your kindness story? Please submit it HERE – you can share via text, audio or video. Our editor will look it over! You may see your writing in a future issue of The Daily Kind!
Kindness Quote
“Look within, for within is the wellspring of virtue, which will not cease flowing, if you cease not from digging.”
Marcus Aurelius
Act of Kindness
Use your voice! Stick up for someone who isn’t present, give a genuine compliment and use your manners.
Positive Affirmation
Today I will remind myself that the biggest hurdles in life are often just in my head and I will overcome them and move forward.
