Five important lessons to make us think about the way we treat people.

[Guest guest]

Five important lessons to make us think about the way we treat people.

 

1 - First Important Lesson - The Cleaning Lady.

 

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz.

I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions

until I read the last one:

 

" What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school? " Surely

this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several

times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know

her name?

 

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before

class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward

our quiz grade.

 

" Absolutely, " said the professor. " In your careers, you will meet many

people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care,

even if all you do is smile and say " hello. "

 

I have never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

 

2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain

 

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing

on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing

rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride.

Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man

stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled

1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance, and put

her into a taxicab.

 

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and

thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To

his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home.

A special note was attached.

 

It read: " Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other

night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits.

Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying

husband's bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for

helping me and unselfishly serving others. "

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nat King Cole.

 

3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.

 

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy

entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass

of water in front of him.

" How much is an ice cream sundae? " he asked.

" Fifty cents, " replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins

in it.

" Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream? " he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was

growing impatient.

" Thirty-five cents, " she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins.

" I'll have the plain ice cream, " he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and

walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and

left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down

the table.

There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five

pennies...

You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough

left to leave her a tip.

 

4 - Fourth Important Lesson - The obstacle in Our Path.

 

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he

hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.

Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and

simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping

the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of

the way.

 

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon

approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to

move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and

straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load

of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder

had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King

indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder

from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand!

 

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

 

5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts.

 

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to

know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious

disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood

transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived

the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the

illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and

asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his

sister.

 

I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and

saying, " Yes I'll do it if it will save her. " As the transfusion

progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all

did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale

and his smile faded.

 

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, " Will I

start to die right away " .

 

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought

he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to

save her.

 

Most importantly…. Unaware of the reality, he still agreed to give blood.