It’s a strange thing to consider, but each day, we spend a lot of time around people that we don’t even know. I live in a fairly small town, but even when I go to the grocery store, there are plenty of people that I have never met before. I may even recognize people that I have seen several times, but have never actually spoken or interacted with.
That’s what feels odd to me, the fact that we exist and live alongside others but make an effort to keep to ourselves. Surrounded by others, we feel somewhat protected by a bubble of privacy. Perhaps I’m just shy, but I can’t imagine walking up to any of these folks and starting up a conversation and I would be quite shocked if they approached me.
Unfortunately, this “bubble” can cause us to ignore people that we encounter that actually may need our help. Studies have shown that a large number of people in a public place can witness someone in need of help, even a crime being committed, and walk right by. In fact, the greater the number of people, the greater the chances that no one will help, because each person assumes that someone else will step in. Often, no one at all steps out of their comfort zone to help.
A 17-year-old high school student witnessed this when an older lady came to the Dollar General where he was shopping with his family. She stumbled and was struggling, but no one, not even the nearby grown men stopped to help. So, the teen put down his own bags and helped the lady, not just into the store, but helped her shop and saw her safely back to her car. He had no idea he was being filmed, but now his story is going viral.
Watch his generous act of kindness in the video below. Please like, share, and spread the generosity!
