Contrast...the positive kind

So I'm sitting in a shopping centre this morning getting a coffee and a muffin. Its been raining hard the last couple of days and I'm a bit wet having to walk or bus everywhere at the moment. Plus I have the flu and everything aches. Really having to work hard at reframing and keeping a positive mental attitude when everything in my world feels like it is collapsing.

Then I see this poor soul in an electric wheel chair with a carer. She was clearly dealing with some pretty severe mental and physical difficulties. I smile at her and her whole face lit up and she went into overdrive smiling and waving back! I did the same and for a moment, the world seemed a little better.

Things can always be worse. I might have problems myself but at least I am not dependent on another for basic needs. I have the greatest respect for people who care for others - there is no higher calling. I don't know if my simply noticing her just made her day (many disadvantaged are treated as if they are invisible from what I see), but just recognising another person can be enough to lift them up. Its such a simple thing, yet very profound. The giggle and high fives back at me made my day!

Sometimes we just need to get out of heads for a while and into someone else's heart to help us put things into perspective.