Earlier this morning while I was doing my usual morning walk (commute), I was approached by a total strange. A man in his 50s. He had a Mr Bean pancake in one hand, and a soy bean drink in the other hand. I presumed that it’s his breakfast. But what took me by surprise was that he tried to stop me to ask for some financial help. He said that he didn’t have enough money to take the bus/mrt to get to where he needs to be. At first, I was quite reluctant to help this man because firstly, he is a stranger and I often feel uncomfortable when someone on the street approaches me out of the blue without much of an explanation. I stood there for a moment to consider his request, and as I examined his outfit, I was thinking to myself, “But I also don’t have enough. More accurately, what I have now is also very limited.” Truth is, I only have $74.00 left in my wallet as well. But after thinking about it for a moment, I decided to pull out $10 to help the man. He tried to ask for more, but it was all I could do to help him. Before any of you start judging, I was reminded of my own struggles and hardships not that long ago. I remembered what it felt like to not have any money for food, or to take the bus/mrt. I remembered days when I had to skip my meals, or walk a certain distance because it was the only way I could get to where I needed to be. Maybe this man is a con, maybe he isn’t. Only God knows the truth about him and whether or not he is really putting on an act or being genuine. Either way, I know that God will only judge my actions according to what I choose to do in this situation. So I decided that I should live according to my own word/values about being compassionate. As inconvenient as it might seem in my current circumstances, I felt that I should help if I could, even if it’s only $10. When he asked how he could return the money, I immediately said to him that he won’t have to. All things considered, I’m glad I am in a position to be able to help, even if it means that I might have less for myself now. I feel blessed that way.

Final thought: My actions and behavior should never be driven or determined by how others would act. Being empathetic, compassionate and kind should never be conditional.