This is the story of how a single simple caring thought changed my entire life during a nearly explosive situation. It goes like this.

A couple of months ago my roommate lost his job, then after a couple of weeks, his unemployment was denied as well. This situation put some serious strains upon my financial situation not to mention our friendship. Over the past couple of months, I have watched my meager savings dwindle down to near nothing and my aggravation with the situation grew at the same rate.

This week, I was at my whit’s ends trying to keep my thoughts and imaginings in parallel with the teachings of Mr. Wattles. It was a loosing battle. The money that I had been saving for months to purchase my Son a nice birthday present with and hopefully be able to spend the birthday weekend with both he and my daughter was gone. I felt like a failure and my anger was escalating.

Last night, I went to sleep asking for guidance in this matter. Usually this guidance will come in the form of a dream that I will remember upon waking. This morning I awoke, and there was no dream, I felt alone and somewhat rejected.

After breakfast, I boxed up my children’s presents and got them ready to ship. I had meant to have this done on Monday, but things happened to delay the process and now it was Wednesday and I was sure that they would not arrive until after the weekend. My Son’s birthday would have already passed by then. I was also sure that it would cost a fortune to ship as well. Still, I was willing to bite the financial bullet so that my children, whose birthdays are only two days apart, could receive their gifts from me.

Upon arriving at UPS I was told that the box would be delivered on Friday and the cost of shipping was nearly half of what I anticipated. This of course was good news, but I was still feeling aggravated as I got back in my car and prepared to go to work. I would at this rate arrive early and would most likely be the only person there. My plan was to verbally rant and rave and yell and generally blow off steam in a hopeful attempt at calming down enough to struggle through this day. Then, just as I started to drive away, my thoughts turned back to my roommate and suddenly, without warning, my entire brain was filled with a single thought, “What can I do to help him?”

Holy Cow! Just like that, I was purged. Suddenly I found that I was calm and at peace with myself. All aggravation was gone. Anger, gone, animosity, depression, confusion, gone gone gone! With the thinking of that single compassionate thought, all of the pent up negative emotions suddenly just vanished and I was left with a feeling of comfort and kindness.

Without warning, my inner self, knowing more than I, had answered my prayer once again. This time there was no bemusing dream to try to unravel or anything like that. This time it was in real time and the lesson filled me with immediate inner peace. The situation was no longer about me; it was about a friend who was struggling as well. A friend who was in need of my understanding, my compassion, and my forgiveness.

Suddenly, I realized that it was raining. I remembered that he had a job interview today and probably didn't even have money for a bus fare. So, instead of driving to work early and blowing a stack, which I no longer needed to do, I drove back home, greeted my friend good morning, gave him money for the bus, wished him luck with his interview, and apologized for the way I had been acting.

All day long, I have practiced this lesson, and even now, as I sit here writing this and contemplate and re-evaluate my purpose in life, this lesson is resounding with in me. “What can I do to help?”

Hi Bruce.

Loved this story.
The simple act of caring helped you release all the negativity.
Something I need to remember!

Thanks for sharing!

I AM READY! I AM WILLING!

Blessings
Andrew

Bruce,

Thank you for sharing this amazing story. Happy birthday to your kids and I hope your friend got the job. If not, something better is on its way.

Tomorrow I am going to visit my friend. We do not see each other often. Though she is not in a crisis, I know there are things that she is not quite happy about. What can I do to help? sure is a great thought to start off the day with.

God bless you,

Caroline
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What a great story, Bruce! Thanks so much for sharing. It made me think of a situation in my life that might be improved with a little help from me instead of griping about it!

Thanks for this post Ping!

I also have found that the more I help others the more that I am helped!

That reminds me of a story about Buckminster Fuller. When he was about 29, he said he had failed so miserably at everything that he seriously contemplated suicide. He even went to jump off a bridge, but before he did the thought occurred to him that he didn’t have the right to do that. (Actually, I think he said he 'got' the thought, as if something Divine was trying to intercede.)

He has said that instead, he chose to dedicate his life to serving humanity, in whatever way he could. And, as they say, the rest is history.

Phil

Ping, This is awesome! Thanks so much for sharing.

Rachel

Great to read this, thank you Ping!

I believe this is what Mr. Wattles means by gratitude. It's love, being part of your world, being present, and caring.

How wonderful that you got to experience it Ping. Now you know what to do next time . . .