Tell us about something you (or a person close to you) have done recently (or not so recently) that has made you really, unabashedly proud.
I’ll tell you this in a simple way, as a human we do have an ego and our ego wants to be fulfilled everyday. We want to feel important, contributing to the society around us, we want recognition and approval by people around us. And that’s not wrong, when we accomplish something that is meaningful to us, our self esteem grows (which is good).
But bragging is different than feeling proud, bragging could be better defined as a need to show off, sometimes without any achievement worth to be proud of. It’s like promoting a product which has no use to anyone, you may have it recognized by people but it doesn’t contribute to their life or even to your self esteem, in fact it worsen it.
Journeyman 
We moved to Millville a year and a half ago. There is a tiny convenient store around the block and it was a chilly, snowy, Winter morning around 6am. When I pulled in the parking lot, I seen this man sitting on the stump outside with no coat, no hat, no gloves and no socks on. I had seen him here before and knew he had special needs… I got my milk and drove home as fast as I could and went to my man’s closet. Grabbed a hooded sweatshirt, socks, hat and a pair of gloves. I rushed back to the store and there he was sitting and sipping on his coffee. I walked over slowly and introduced myself. He kept nodding and fidgeting. I said, “I brought you these things to help keep you warm.” He understood and immediately put the sweatshirt on, backwards but who cared. He then put the hat on. He was smiling from ear to ear. I said, “How about you take those sneakers off and put these socks on to help keep your feet warm.” He understood and did so. His sneakers did not tie, They had velcro on them, like my son’s did when he was very little. I then gave him the gloves, which he put on. He picked up his coffee and was smiling and stomping his feet and moving round and round in a circle. He kept nodding at me! I said, “You’re more than welcome!” I got into my car and looked in my rear view mirror and he was smiling, still stomping his feet and moving in a circular motion. I started to cry. I couldn’t help but become emotional. This man was overjoyed and so happy to have the little things that we all take for granted. He was happy to be warm on that chilly, snowy, Winter morning. I felt so good! A little kindness goes a long way my friend. I was very proud of myself that day, for taking the time to notice him and to do the right thing by him. People with special needs are people too and sharing is caring! Peace out
Wow, the world does need more people like you. Indeed there’s a joy in giving to people, specially the one who can’t give back to us. I think actions like what you did defined the true meaning of the word “humanity”. Your story also remind me for the blessings we have, sometimes we pursue to have more, be more, when what we are and do is more than enough. God bless.
I enjoy these kind of interraction, thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your kind words.
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