“It’s not about what you have…it’s about what you do with what you have.”
I was in downtown Cleveland enjoying food at a local bar and speaking with an older couple.
After a pleasant 45-minute conversation, I paid for my food and took my leftovers in a to-go box.
I walked through downtown Cleveland just going into different places. I went into random buildings, coffee shops, restaurants, bars—did a quick self-tour, and left for the next best thing that caught my attention.
A guy suddenly approaches me.
He was wearing a dirty, dingy white t-shirt, baggy black pants, and his shoes were so worn down that they had a gaping hole on the side that exposed his white socks. He had an unruly, patchy beard, his hands were ashy with calluses, and his eyes were dark and heavy.
He says, “Excuse me, sir. Do you have any change you can spare?” I said, “I’m sorry, but I honestly don’t carry cash with me.”
He responds by saying, “Please. I’m just so hungry, and I need help buying food because I haven’t eaten anything today.”
I said, “I’m so sorry. I wish I could help you, but I have nothing to give.” And I began walking away.
But something came over me.
I never was an “overly religious” person, but I think the spirit of God touched me at that moment.
I looked down at my hands and was reminded that I was carrying a box of food that I haven’t eaten from the restaurant I just visited.
No, I didn’t have cash—but that fact was completely irrelevant because I already had what he needed.
I turned around, walked back, and said, “Excuse me, sir. I don’t have cash, but would you want my box of food?” He asked, “What’s in it?” I said, “Just some wings and fries. I barely ate any of it. I got it from that restaurant over there.”
I gave him the box and he opened it up.
He looked up at me, and those same dark and heavy eyes...suddenly became a little lighter and brighter.
He smiled and said, “Thank you so much sir. God bless you,” and walked away.
I sat down at a nearby bench and reflected on what just happened.
Sure, it was a good deed, but there was a bigger lesson.
I genuinely thought I couldn’t help this man because I didn’t have cash. While in actuality, he only wanted cash to get what he needed. But I was so blinded by the initial ask that it didn’t occur to me that I already had what he needed.
It’s because I tend to focus on what I lack instead of what I already have. I often dismiss and overlook my own blessings by underestimating or simply failing to acknowledge my ability to make an impact on people’s lives.
There I was...thinking that I had nothing to give him...when in reality I had everything to give him.
In times like this, I’m reminded of an MLK quote that I ran across a few years ago. He said, “Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.”
I strive to embody that. I’m not always successful. In fact, I fail often. But it’s important to try again and again. It’s always worth putting a smile on someone’s face.
I learned that it brings joy to that person and it brings joy to myself as well.
I want this world to be a better place. A small act of genuine kindness is the first step.