I recently viewed the movie, The Soloist, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx. The movie inspires the viewer to realize the potential in all people and that there are sometimes gifted individuals in the most unlikely places. A second message provided by the filmmakers is the continuing struggle American society has with helping mentally ill patients, receive the proper care they need to lead successful lives.
The Soloist reminds me of a moment in my own life, in which 20 minutes made all the difference to someone. While living in Atlanta, GA during my twenties, I found myself riding the MARTA public transportation system on a daily basis. Daily there were homeless and out-of-work individuals looking for someone to provide them monetary relief in their times of struggle. I often gave what little pocket change I had, but I was never too sure where the money was going to be spent. One day, during my standard travel to and from work, a younger out-of-work gentleman (most likely the same age as I), began asking patrons of the MARTA transportation system for money; describing his need to purchase an evening meal and some groceries. As the gentleman came to me on the train, he hesitated a moment, uncertain whether he would ask me to help contribute to his cause. A short pause, a stare at my belongings, and the gentleman asked if I could spare some change for his evening meal. On this occasion, I was unable to provide any pocket change, as I had no cash or change on my person. I told the gentleman that I did not have any change and that I was sorry. He then continued along to the end of the train car, where he pondered which station to exit. That is when I remember I had my debit card.
I walked over to the gentleman and I said, “I don’t have any cash or change to give you, but you said that you were trying to get money to eat, is that true?” The gentleman looked at me as though I was the first person to talk to him in complete sentence form without yelling, and said that he was indeed quite hungry and needed money for food. I then said, “My name is Dana, and how about you and I go and get a bite to eat somewhere, no strings attached; if you are hungry and you want to use the money to buy food, I will simply buy you a meal and you don’t have do anything but eat it.” The gentleman was absolutely stunned at this offer. At first, he probably thought I was absolutely crazy; or perhaps he thought I was going to harm him in some way. But, I assured him that I would do no harm and that all he had to do was sit down and eat the meal with me.
So he and I set-off to eat dinner at a local dining establishment in Midtown Atlanta. I found out all sorts of information about the gentleman’s past; a story of a drug addiction that forced his parents to kick him out of their home, a girlfriend that left him, school grades that deteriorated, and a life off-track. As I listened to the story, I couldn’t help but think that I or anyone of us could be in the same position; that all it takes is an economic downturn, a bad break-up, death of a loved-one, or a moment when we used illegal drugs that turned into addiction.
After our dinner ended, I told the gentleman that I enjoyed our dinner together, thanked him for discussing his life with me, and that I hoped he would find an avenue to find success in his life again. I used my debit card to pay for the meal and we proceeded to the exit. As we left the restaurant, the gentleman turned to me and said (I’ll never forget this) “No one has ever believed me that I was going to use the money for food, nor has anyone ever taken me for dinner.” I looked at the gentleman and said, “Life is all about the people you meet and the time you spend with them. Everyone has a moment in their life when things aren’t the best; but we can, with a little help, rise above it.” The gentleman looked at me and gave a small smile, and gentle tears filled his eyes. I then said, “I’ll be here next week at the same time, so if you’re free why don’t you meet me here.”
We met two more times for dinner at the same restaurant. It took just 20 minutes of my life to show someone that people care about their existence. I hope that wherever the gentleman is, he has found a path that has led to success in his life.
What are you going to do with your 20 minutes today?
