"You don’t have to see the full staircase to know the steps are there." – Martin Luther King Jr.
This quote has been on my mind a lot lately. It’s a reminder that sometimes, even when we don’t have the full picture, taking that first step can make all the difference. I was recently reminded of this while riding the bus one morning, and it’s a moment that has stayed with me ever since.
It was around 9am, and I found myself sitting next to a lovely woman who looked like she had just finished her morning school run. At first, everything seemed fine, but as the journey went on, I noticed her becoming increasingly anxious. She was fidgeting, recording voice notes on her phone, and her face held a clear weight of sadness.
As the bus continued toward the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, I saw her starting to cry. I was taken aback. I didn’t know her story, but in that moment, her pain was so visible. I wanted to do something—offer her a tissue, say something kind—but I hesitated. I kept thinking, She’s a stranger, she doesn’t know me. What if she tells me to mind my own business?
I found myself stuck between wanting to help and being unsure of how to approach the situation. I didn’t even have one of our Memriz lapel pins with me, something that would have made starting a conversation so much easier. And as I watched her get off the bus, I waved. To my surprise, she waved back. She had noticed me looking her way, and perhaps even appreciated the small gesture.
But I couldn’t help but think: Could I have done more? What would’ve happened if I’d taken that first step and offered her a word of encouragement, a simple act of kindness? That experience left me wishing I had done something more tangible.
The Power of Togetherness - Small Gestures
This moment was a powerful reminder of how important togetherness, compassion, and kindness are—especially in unexpected situations. Sometimes, we don’t have all the answers, or we don’t know exactly how to help, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take that first step.
"You don’t have to see the full staircase to know the steps are there." We don’t always know what someone else is going through, but a simple gesture—a smile, a wave, or even offering a small token like a lapel pin—could make all the difference. It’s these small acts of compassion that can turn someone's day around, and sometimes even their life.
What Would You Do?
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation, hesitating to offer help or comfort? How would you have reached out in that moment? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s open up the conversation—share your experiences in the comments below.
Join the Movement
At Memriz, we believe in seizing these moments of connection, and we encourage you to do the same. If you want to carry kindness with you wherever you go, consider joining the Friends of Memriz scheme. By joining, you'll help spread compassion and encouragement to those who need it most—one lapel pin at a time.
Remember, you don’t always need to know the full story to make a difference. Take that first step, and you might just change someone’s day.
Have a lovely day.
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