She had not known who I was. She had not known whether I was wealthy or struggling, important or ordinary. She had simply seen someone who appeared to need help.
I had always considered myself generous. I donated to charities, supported educational programs, and signed checks for community projects. My company had funded food assistance, scholarships, and services for families facing difficult circumstances.
But giving money from a comfortable office was different from noticing a person in front of me.
I controlled the amount I donated, the timing of the payment, and the conditions attached to it. I could make a contribution without changing my schedule or learning much about the people who benefited.
Lily and Emma had no such arrangement. They had acted because someone needed help.
I began to wonder how often I had overlooked opportunities to show consideration simply because I was busy.
I remembered an employee who had once tried to tell me about a family problem while I interrupted him to ask about a report. I remembered people I passed each day without looking up from my phone.
