If you have visited SAMatters before, you know the mission of the site is to help first responders improve situational awareness by “Helping you see the bad things coming in time to change the outcome.”
Something happened today that I didn’t see coming and I’d like to share the story with you. Thank you for allowing me the latitude to veer from my mission of improving first responder safety… if only momentarily.
Wow! I woke up today with nothing to do.
For those who may not know me, my passion is emergency responder safety and I spend a lot of time on the road sharing my message with first responders. As it turns out, I had a free day on my schedule (today)… a day with nothing to do.
I slept in and slumbered on to the elevator to hit the free breakfast in the lobby of the hotel. When the elevator doors opened on the first floor, a guy was getting on with a luggage cart full of boxes… obviously wares for his trade. As the cart bumped over the threshold, two boxes fell off. I picked them up and, having nothing to do, decided to give him a hand and ride up the elevator to his floor carrying the boxes for him.
After checking out of my hotel, I headed for my next hotel. I wasn’t far on my way on a rural road when I rounded the corner and there, in the middle of the road, was a small painted turtle.
The position of the turtle allowed me to pass safely over it. I didn’t get far past it and my brain was nagging me with that worn story about the guy who threw starfish back into the sea (you know the story). Since I didn’t have anything to do, I turned the car around, went back, and safely shuttled the turtle to the roadside.
About an hour down the road I saw a car on the side of the road with a flat tire. I thought to myself: “Sucks to be you, buddy.” As I drove by I noticed the elderly couple in the car. I thought about calling 9-1-1 to summon them some help. Then, I thought, I don’t have anything to do today…
So, I turned the car around and went back to help them out. Turns out, they didn’t have a spare tire or a cell phone. So I used Google to find a tow service and waited there for the tow truck to arrive. Then I gave them a ride to the garage.
Before arriving at my next hotel I stopped at a Wal-Mart to get some “supplies” (candy) for the students in my class on Friday. While I was in Wal-Mart, I saw a lady in one of those electric scooters the store provides trying to get a gallon of milk into the basket on the front of her cart. It was clear she didn’t have the strength to maneuver the 8+ pounds of milk into the basket.
Since I didn’t have anything to do, I stopped to help her. As I finished my shopping and was checking out, she was in the line in front of me. Since I didn’t have anything to do, I carried her groceries to her car and loaded them for her.
Finally, I arrived at my hotel safely and checked in. As I settled into my room… I realized… This was not a day with nothing to do. This was a day chocked full of things to do but God did not reveal the agenda until the day played out. Wow… I am thankful for having a day with nothing to do.
Oh… I have to share the grand finale. After settling in, I went to dinner. At the completion of my meal, the waitress came over and told me an anonymous customer paid for my meal.
As you travel along life’s path, take some time to perform RAOK’s (Random Acts of Kindness). And remember… What goes around… comes around.
_____________________________________________________
If you are interested in taking your understanding of situational awareness and high-risk decision making to a higher level, check out the Situational Awareness Matters Online Academy.
CLICK HERE for details, enrollment options and pricing.
__________________________________
Share your comments on this article in the “Leave a Reply” box below. If you want to send me incident pictures, videos or have an idea you’d like me to research and write about, contact me. I really enjoy getting feedback and supportive messages from fellow first responders. It gives me the energy to work harder for you.
Thanks,
Email: Support@RichGasaway.com
Phone: 612-548-4424
SAMatters Online Academy
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/SAMatters
Twitter: @SAMatters
LinkedIn: Rich Gasaway
YouTube: SAMattersTV
iTunes: SAMatters Radio
Rich,
Thanks for the account of your day- I found it inspiring. How would this world be if more people practiced what you suggested. I believe as a firefighter and fire officer, that we are here to help folks, in or out of uniform, busy or not. Stay safe.
A real EYE OPENING show last night At LaSalle High school! Thank You Ive been a member of Wissahickon for 30 yrs. safety officer for 5 1/2. Finding more and more, its the “little things’ that will ‘get ‘ you!!
Mike,
Thanks for attending. It was a very enjoyable evening!
I hope our paths cross again soon.
Rich
Many times we get to be the “knight in shining armor” and save the day for someone less fortunate than ourselves. We will be repaid for our random acts of kindness. And sometimes it is just fun to pay it forward so others can keep the ball rolling. I wish more people would realize this when they are “hurrying up to get nowhere fast.”
Great perspective Rich…. I certainly agree with you! God orders our steps, we just need to learn how to pay attention along the path as we travel on the journey. Be safe my brother….