Don't we all?

The meaning of the phrase "Don't we all" is something like "Yes, I wish for that too, but it's just a dream. It's not likely to come true."

Some of you might have heard of the story before this also.

I had gone shopping with my wife and as usual I decided to spend the waiting time sitting in the car

Coming my way from across the parking lot was what the society would consider a down and out person.

From his looks, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. 

There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you are just not in the mood and don't want to be bothered.

This was one of those "don't want to be bothered times."

"I hope he doesn't ask me for any money,"  I thought.

He didn't. He came and sat a distance away but he didn't look like he could have enough money to even get a good meal.

After a few minutes, he spoke. "That's a very nice  car,you got there" he said.

He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him.

I said, "thanks," and continued listening to the car radio.

He sat there quietly,and the expected plea for money never came.

As the silence between us widened something inside me said, "ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the inner voice.

"Do you need any help?" I asked.

He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget.

We often look for wisdom in great men and women and we expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. From him, I expected nothing but an outstretched grimmy hands.

He spoke the three words that shook me, and my world.

 "Don't we all" ? he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, until those three words hit me like a  ton of bricks. And this is how I felt. 

Don't we all?

Yes. I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help.

I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and few other things for the day.

Those three little words still ring in my ears till today.

No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too.

All of us need help from some source or other. Need not be financial at all. But we will always need help. Accept this fact. It will make your life easier and tension free.

Don't we all?

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