Strangers on the Road in Portugal crossingthethreshold.net

@crossingthethreshold I am not sure you would get this kindness in all parts of the world. It’s good they did stop.

@crossingthethreshold Hooray for kind strangers!

@restlesslens I like that take away from the story. Thank you.

@crossingthethreshold Glad they stopped to help, thankfully helping out strangers is still a thing 🙂

@maique ...and a reminder to me to pass it on.

@crossingthethreshold Somehow I got the feeling you were one that already does that, no need for a reminder. Maybe you've been doing it all along, and that was just what people like to call karma.

@maique Thank you for saying that. That's very kind. I am always looking for where I feel that edge in me of not wanting to get involved. That place where I could push myself that little further, to be a little better.

@crossingthethreshold "not wanting to get involved" was exactly the phrase I was looking for when I tried to describe why I needed the reminder to be on the lookout, but I couldn't come up with it. Perfect: name it and you can fight it. Thanks! Also, I am a huge fan of "be a little better" as a philosophy. 😀

@restlesslens I just think that I have to be honest with myself. Where am I, for example, just too tired today, or have to get to an appointment, such that I cannot push that edge, and where am I avoiding the edge. As you say, naming it is the trick. Then you have something to work with. Compassion for others coming from being compassionate to yourself first, not hard on yourself. Then the space will appear for action. That’s my belief.

@crossingthethreshold Beautiful experience. Wonderful of you to share this story, when all around us the bad and ugly ones prevail. There is good and kindness in the world and we need to talk about it and show it to others, so people can feel safe to experience and express empathy, to realise they can and should give priority to their own wellbeing without it meaning sacrificing connection to others or a sense of community.

@Portufraise Thank you for your words. Of the Portuguese people I have to say that we experienced and found them to be kind and generous of spirit towards us while we were in your country. This story was, if you like, an ultimate expression of that generosity. As I reflect more on the experience, I suppose I spend most of my time around family and friends and feeling safe in that circle - whether consciously or not. When, as in this situation with the car, I was more vulnerable and helpless, did the kindness of others shine through.