MOTIVATION MONDAY: HELP THY NEIGHBOR
This article was originally published on July 8, 2019 at https://gritdaily.com/motivation-monday-good-samaritans/
Need Monday motivation? I’ve got it in SPADES this week! This column is for those of you who slog through your Monday mornings. If you lament the end of the weekend and dread returning to the office, you may need our Motivation Monday quick tips. Grit Daily offers an avenue to connect with others like you. We’re here to help get your work week off to a good start. Pump your fists – it’s time for Motivation Monday!
Straight up, PROPS to ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY! The paramedics, the police, other first responders, the neighbors and everyone else there who jumped to my aid. It seemed as though at least half the county showed up to help me. Thank-you! xoxo
Next, a PSA (that’s a Public Service Announcement). WEAR YOUR BIKE HELMET! It saved my life today.
THE JOKE’S ON ME…
So this minister, paramedic, funeral director, nurse, physiotherapist, policeman, marathon runner, and a few good Samaritans walk into a bar … no. Just kidding! But that is an accurate, albeit humorous description of the people who were there. Indeed, it was funny at the time. Call it nervous laughter.
Everyone dropped everything that they were doing to help me. A few of them had witnessed my no-doubt spectacular somersault over the handlebars of my speed bike. They may have even witnessed me being unceremoniously hurled into the pavement, back first. Or watched as my head hit next, splitting my helmet open. Epic wipeout, for sure. Contrary to what my sisters might say, I’m not a drama llama! I don’t like being the point of attention so being vulnerable, hurt and unable to do anything about it isn’t a comfy place for me.
MOTIVATION MONDAY ON THE SCENE WITH GRIT DAILY
The marathon runner was first on the scene and very kind to stop her run. She was on leave from DC and was part of an organization who helped people in combat zones. Indeed, she was awesome! I felt bad about interrupting her run.
And then a lady from across the street ran over, plus a couple of people who likely owned the lawn that I had crawled onto. People came out of their homes and brought water, tissues, gauze, and kindness. They dug the gravel out of my back and cleaned my wounds.
Cars stopped to make sure that I was okay. A minister, Father Hadid or Habib (I’m sorry, but I can’t recall) gave me a blessing for healing that brought me to tears. And the paramedics, Doug and maybe it was Janet? were on the scene doing what they do best.
“My point is, pay it forward every chance that you get because you never know when you’re going to need to cash in.” ~my words
WHY BEING A GOOD SAMARITAN MATTERS
Who says people in NY aren’t good people? Clearly, whoever has said that has not yet been to Rockland County. And they need to go pay that borough a visit. Stat! Motivation Monday should compel you to seek out someone who needs a little some-something from you, even if it’s just a smile. You don’t know the impact that you can have. Even small gestures count.
#1 – don’t look away
It’s all too easy to turn your head away and pretend that you never saw it. But that’s not the right thing to do. What if someone turned away from your child, spouse or parent and walked on by?
#2 – give in
Being stubborn is great and all that (the first responders can attest to this with respect to me) but you just may have to admit defeat. I couldn’t move. I wanted to, but I really couldn’t move. Everyone there made sure I stayed still to stay safe.
#3 – be gracious and grateful
People don’t have to stop what they’re doing to help you. They’re not obligated or beholden to you in any way. Whichever direction their moral compass points is completely independent of where yours does. Be thankful that there were people there to help!
WHO’S YOUR MOTIVATION MONDAY HERO?
First responders, of course! And that is inclusive of the neighborly people who were just trying to relax on their Saturday morning. Cheers to all those who were sitting back, sipping coffee and petting their dogs then stopped what they were doing to share a moment of kindness.
The police and paramedics don’t get the credit they’re due. Admittedly, there are some rough and tumble spots out there with a few dark examples. But those shouldn’t tarnish the first-class efforts of an entire field that does what they do, day in, day out, helping countless people. My situation was pretty low risk for the first responders but that’s not always the case. They face daunting situations on a regular basis, go home, sleep, then do it all again.
Keep being the Motivational Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday … heroes that you are!!
p.s. 24h later as this column goes live, my entire back looks like I battled a cheese grater – and lost. I’m barely ambulatory with my back but my headache is gone and no apparent concussion, grateful that my helmet cracked open and not my head. I will heal! My bike sustained more damage than I originally thought but you can fix bikes. It just might be a little while before I get on a bike again … maybe another Motivation Monday column will be on a similar topic that I’ve written about before, which was never giving up, but it will likely be along the lines of getting back on a bike and pushing forward.
Send me YOUR motivation Monday heroes!