“Nice guys finish last!”
I have heard that phrase literally hundreds of times over the years. There was even a few times when I believed it myself. But if I ever need a reminder of just how false that line is then I only need to remember what happened to me recently.
It was a cold, overcast, gray and drizzly day. I had just finished taking my son to the sheltered workshop where he works a few days a week. Road work, however, had delayed me both ways and now I was running 20 minutes late. I still had a full day’s worth of work to do and was feeling a little stressed. I had to pick up a few things first at the local store before heading home.
As I was checking out a couple asked me if I could give them a ride going back the way I’d already came. My stressed brain wanted to say: “no” but thankfully the better angels of my heart said: “yes.” They climbed in my car and I headed back down the road.
During the trip we talked and laughed and after I dropped them off they thanked me for what I had done. As I turned the car around and headed back home I felt a warmth in my heart and a peace in my soul. I glanced in the rear view mirror and saw I was smiling without knowing it. Then for the first time that day the sun broke through the clouds and the heavens seemed to smile down on me as well. I may have been more behind schedule than ever but in that moment I felt I was right where I was meant to be.