A long time ago, I was at a tire store having service done on my truck. The manager was helping a young lady who appeared to be about 7 months pregnant. Her car was rather old, and she needed a new tire, as the wires on her old one were sticking out of the rubber. It was clear she wasn’t able to afford a new one.
Still, the manager was exceptionally professional and offered her “terms” for paying for the new tire. If she could put just $20 down on an $80 tire, he’d be happy to go ahead with the transaction. I overheard this whole exchange. I had been in her position before – dead broke, with no one to help. I went to my truck and returned with a small sticky note with a $20 bill concealed in my hand. I passed it to the manager. The note said to apply the money to her bill. A measly $20 is all it took to put a huge smile on my face. She never knew who did it. The manager was stunned.
I walked out of there with a spring in my step. $20 is not so measly when you are up against it, which I know firsthand. I wanted you to know that that $20 has given me way more inner true joy than any $100 bar tab, $135 dinner check, $80 toy or just about anything else I can remember. Giving feels good.
After that, I knew what Christmas was really supposed to be about. Too bad most people only think of it as one day a year. I even wrote to the tire company to tell them of their super manager – he was a class act! Isn’t it funny how the best things don’t seem to cost much or anything at all?
Damon
A $20 Bill Gave Me True Joy
The Dr. Laura Call of the Day Podcast
