The Ultimate Question

First, watch this quick video:

http://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2015/05/14/restaurant-employee-feeds-disabled-guest.cnn

Now, imagine you were grabbing a quick lunch at a fast food restaurant and you noticed this woman outside the door. What would you do?

For Charles, there was only one choice. He took the initiative to help this woman get her food and what she needed for her meal. Then, he asked the question that changed the entire story –

“Is there anything else I can help you with?”

This is the ultimate question. Because you might be asked to do something risky, edgy, out of the ordinary.

This woman humbled herself and asked Charles to help her eat her meal. And he didn’t hesitate. Another customer was so moved by his kindness a video was made and posted.

This was a simple act of kindness. But I want to reflect on what the question meant to Charles and to other who ask it. It was indeed very kind of Charles to ask this woman how he could help her. However, it comes with a bit of a risk. What if she asks for something that takes Charles outside his normal daily activities. Is he still willing to do it?

Would you be willing to ask this question and then follow through with the request? I’m really glad that Charles did and I’m sure this woman is too.

I really like what Charles said when he was asked why he helped this woman eat –

“If I wasn’t going to do it, nobody would.”

I think he’s right. That is often the case but so frequently we rationalize and say that someone will get it done if I can’t.

Thank you Dr. Jones for getting a video clip of this. Thank you Charles for taking time out of your day to help someone. Thank you to everyone else who does the same thing.

My only question is this – why did no one ask her name?