I’ll take care of it

I picked up a snack at the cafeteria and was standing in line to pay for it. There was a woman in front of me. She was chatting with the girl at the checkout counter. Right beside her was this young Asian male who worked as the security guard.

I used to see him daily as I entered the building, a lively young man. The woman in front of me said to the girl at the counter “Tomorrow is my last day here. I will be away for six weeks…I will be undergoing a surgery…”. She went on with more small talk. The girl rang up the purchase and said with a smile “$5.35 please”. The young security guard immediately reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He said “I’ll take care of it.” The woman froze, overcome by the display of generosity. I was intrigued as well. The woman said “thanks, but that’s not necessary.” The young man insisted. The woman, still happily stunned, thanked him profusely and left. Immediately the young man also left.

It was my turn to pay for my snack. I said to the girl at the counter, “That was really nice of him”. She said “Yes. He buys lunch for someone everyday”. I developed instant respect and admiration for that young security guard. He touches at least one person every day and has made it a point to do so daily. That day, I truly learned what compassion meant and it made a very deep impression on my mind. An extension of one’s spirit to share one’s blessings with a total stranger!

Life has endowed me with an abundance of love, gifts and talents. I said I will share them with everyone selflessly. Since that day four years ago, I have followed the footsteps of the young security guard. I reach into my pocket and buy homeless people lunch or just fill their jars with a little bit of what the Universe has given me.

I made a rule for myself. Whenever I open my wallet I will give out the first dollar denomination that randomness asks me to. It’s so fulfilling to randomly dish out a $20 or $5 bill and tell someone to have a good lunch. Once, the Universe randomly beckoned me to give $20 to a homeless man in a gas station and in turn I earned his loving hug. I always love to hear this old lady tell me “God bless you” when I randomly give her a few dollars several times a week at a specific stop sign in West Sacramento. Rain or shine, she is there in the faith that the Universe will get her through the day. I haven’t seen her in a few weeks. I am afraid she has passed away. I really miss her at the stop sign and feel very sad for her. Once in Boston, my “random” $30 helped an old woman to feed her sister and her family. So many stories every day….

Strange young man, thanks for teaching me to say “I’ll take care of it” and to do so.