So there I was, minding my own business, trying to find a parking spot in downtown Houston, on an otherwise pretty normal Saturday afternoon…
Hey, I have to admit, I’m pretty good at parallel parking, and I tend to take my time to do it right. So I found a spot, and began the intricate process. As soon as I started, I noticed a bike rider on the sidewalk slowing down, and then coming to a screeching halt right next to the space I was pulling into. I sensed right away what was going on, so I didn’t make direct eye contact with him, and just continued with my parking maneuvers. But I was aware of the resentment that was starting to build inside…
This guy was homeless, and waiting to pop the question. I got aggravated because his tactic was so vulture like. And, I was right… As soon as I finished, and opened my door to go pay at the meter, he uttered his rehearsed speech. Well, at least he tried…
No sooner did he say, “Hello sir…”, than I chimed in with, “I don’t have anything”. He seemed to be so unprepared for my abruptness that he couldn’t even muster a comeback, huffed, and just turned and rode away.
I felt pretty good, outsmarting this guy’s street smarts…
Wrong!
After all, I’m the Secret Dollar Man, the Give Away A Dollar A Day guy, and I hadn’t yet given away my dollar for the day. I thought I had blown his mind, but it was I who was left in a quandary. You see, one of my guidelines for giving away is that I don’t give my dollar to someone directly. I really love to create the element of surprise by leaving it in a public place, out in the open, for someone to unexpectedly find! So this didn’t fit with that guideline…
So what!? Why shouldn’t I give to him? I’m probably going to have to go back and review that guideline! Because, this was just more control on my part, controlling the event, the give away, the outcome. What was missing in this exchange today was being spontaneous. My two key guidelines are to have fun with this, and to do something every day. Spontaneity certainly creates fun, so this would have fit right in.
Thank you, Give Away A Dollar A Day!
Blessings to you and yours, and joyful giving to you today!
Todd