Helping First, Explaining Later
A few weeks ago, I was on my way to class when I saw an elderly woman struggling to carry two heavy grocery bags up a steep sidewalk. She stumbled twice, and people passed by without stopping, maybe because it wasn’t “their responsibility.”
The thing is, my school has a strict policy about being late. I was already cutting it close, and helping her meant I’d miss the start of my first subject—something that could cost me a participation mark. But I couldn’t just walk past.
I took the bags from her, walked her to her gate, and stayed until I was sure she was okay. Yes, I was late. Yes, my teacher gave me a warning. But I didn’t regret it for a second.
Following rules keeps life organized, but following your heart keeps life meaningful. And in the end, I’d rather be remembered as someone who stopped to help than as someone who was always on time.