I was riding the bus the other day and offered my seat twice to passengers coming on who I thought might like the seat. Both declined for other options.
Returning kindness for kindness they would say, “no, no, you sit, I’ll sit over here.” A fellow rider looked at me and said, “Seems like no one wants your seat. You literally can’t give it away.” We both laughed.
My fellow rider went on to describe their journey from being a kind-hearted person who would offer to help (with directions, for example), to a more jaded city dweller, keeping to themselves during their daily travels.
I was saddened. Let us not be this way. Let us not let our hearts harden. Keep offering – whether it be a seat, a smile, some directions, or some company. You never know when the one time its accepted could change a life forever.