This happened today, and the way it ended warmed my heart. I left for a bike ride this afternoon, but upon reaching the golden gate bridge, i didnt feel it, my energy wasnt there, so decided to make it a short ride. I came back via the crissy field path that runs along the bay, and halfway down that path, i decided to stop at the wooden benches under a grove of trees overlooking the beach and bridge for some thinking time. Upon reaching the empty benches, i sat down next to a samsung galaxy smart phone in a fancy leather case someone had left behind. I sat next to it, looked around, and eventually picked it up. I noticed the phones language setting was foreign, it was to airplane mode and required a pass code to access. In other words, the owner could not have called it even if they tried, and i couldnt gain access to change that setting. I imagined the feeling of the phones owner upon discovering it was missing and hopefully retracing steps. I imagined their anguish at all the lost pictures and data, not to mention the price of the phone. I considered taking it with me to the police stations lost and found, but then figured the travelling tourist would unlikely ever reconnect with it, so i decided to wait as long as possible, knowing if i left the phone there, the next person may not share my sense of stewardship on this matter, and other people had since shown up. I kept imagining someone frantically heading in my direction, as i would have done the same. Anyway, over a half hour later, as i was beginning to ponder new strategies for this lost phone, from a distance, a man came running up the beach, staring in my direction intently. I instantly knew this was the phones owner id been waiting for, and i couldnt hide my smile while holding his phone up in the air, as in, did you forget this. He was so breathless he couldnt really speak, in addition to not speaking english, but his gratitude was heartfelt and sincere. He couldnt express it, but he was so thankful, it made my entire day, although id done nothing, except caring for a half hour. Just wanted to share this story to remind yall to mark your belongings with little labels sharing your name, email and phone number, most people are honest and if given a chance, will return your lost items, or, make your phones desktop a picture of your business card. This also reminded me of the power of compassion, being able to put yourself in someone elses shoes, and doing the right thing whenever possible. I know this story is meaningless in the scheme of present global events, still, the gratitude expressed by one person for taking the time to care was for me priceless.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 05:26:33 +0000