The multiplier effect… July 26, 2007
Posted by tharinid in Generosity of spirit.3 comments
I pick up my husband from the train station most evenings. Finding a prime parking location is very crucial, because the rush is intense, and if you aren’t one of the first 10 cars out of the lot after the train arrives, then you can get stuck in the line for the next 20 min. Thereby, getting home early is much delayed. During my first couple of times picking him up, I was plainly shocked to see how madly the people ran to their respective cars as soon as they got off the train. Itslike something takes over all the people, and you get sucked into that mad frenzy to be the first one out. The driving is aggressive, with people not giving way to others, and others rashly trying to enter the line of cars. I always used to heave a big sigh of relief the moment we were out, because it was always such a task in the midst of the such primal instincts.
Last week, on one such evening, we were a little late in joining the line, and had to wait for all the cars whizzing past. No one stopped to give us any way, and there was a long line of cars to wait for. Our sense of irritation was high for having missed by a few minutes and we had resigned ourselves to a long wait. Suddenly, one car to our left, slowed down and stopped and the driver signalled for us to join in. It was wholly unexpected! And a wonderful treat. We had this warm fuzzy feeling towards this generous hearted driver and silently blessed him inside our hearts. And we joined the line and started inching forward.
At the next juncture, we saw another lone driver waiting on the left side to make his way into the line. And like us, he was not getting any leeway inside. When we came up to this juncture, we slowed down, stopped and signalled him to join in. He raised his hands in thankful acknowledgement, and joined in. We were one car behind, but bubbling with generosity and a goodwill towards the world in general.
I couldn’t help but contemplate how a single generous act on the part of one driver, could set off yet another gracious act, completely wiping out the negativity we had been feeling. It was a wonderful multiplier effect and the possiblities of what could happen if this continued unfettered was mind boggling. Stop for a moment and think about it too….
