A Priceless Lesson in Humility
Standing outside the Ronald Reagan Center, I heard a voice say, "Can you help
me" When I turned around, I saw an elderly blind woman with her hand extended.
1 I was annoyed at Being bothered by a
beggar. But the blind woman smiled and said, "I don’t want your
money. I just need help finding the post office. " In an
instant, I realized what I had done. 2 I hated what I saw in myself. This incident reawakened my
core belief. 3 The
thing I had forgotten about myself was that I am an immigrant. 4 I started my new life with two suitcases, my
brother arid sister, and a strong, no nonsense mother. Over the years, I had
been a dishwasher, roofer, cashier, mechanic and pizza delivery driver among
many other humble jobs, and eventually I became a network engineer. 5 I remember a time, at the age
of 17, when I was a busboy, I heard a father tell his little boy that, if he did
not do well in school, he would end up like me. I have also witnessed similar
treatment of my family and friends, so I know what it’s like, and I should have
known better. A. It reaffirmed that I believed in humility,
even though I had failed to do so for a moment. B. In my own
life, I have experienced many open acts of prejudice. C. In a
natural reflex, I reached into my pocket, pulled out all of my loose change and
placed it in her hand without even looking at her. D. I had
acted out of prejudice—I had judged another person sire ply for what I assumed
she had to be. E. I left Honduras and arrived in the U.S. at
the age of 15. F. I helped that lady to the post office.