Fill-The-Boot

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” – John 15:13 -

Yesterday, I had the distinct privilege as a firefighter, of standing on a street corner with an empty firefighter boot and asking the public for money.  It's for a good cause.  Every cent collected goes to the Muscular Dystrophy Association to help fund research for a cure to a variety of dreadful diseases.  Some would argue that too small a percentage goes to actual research.  Others would argue that what we do is comparable to begging or panhandling.  I disagree, of course, but even if it were, it's a much bigger picture we're talking about.

When you're standing on that corner, dodging traffic and an occasional irate driver, you encounter miracle after small miracle if you only LOOK!  I made a concious decision yesterday to smile at every car that went by.  I smiled and waved to people who gave.  I smiled and waved to people who didn't.  I smiled and said hello to people who picked up their cell phones to look busy so they wouldn't feel bad about not giving.  I gave stickers to kids whose parents did not donate.  I gave a sticker to a lady just for smiling.  I offered another sticker to a lady just so she WOULD smile.  One of my coworkers dubbed it "feel good Friday."  And it was.  I felt good about being out there.  And I tried my best to make others feel good too.

Maybe one of the children who got a sticker will remember that day and grow up to be a firefighter that saves a life.  Maybe the lady who needed to smile will smile every time she sees her sticker and pass it on.  Maybe she won't, but that's not my business.  My business is just sharing my smile and hoping it gets passed on. 

Sadly, there are those in the public who feel like they're being inconvenienced by our presence during their daily commute.  I witnessed a couple small incidents of "road rage" where someone didn't make it through a light because the car in front of them donated money.  I always smiled at them and thanked them for their patience. Even more amazing is the fact that there are those firefighters who feel inconvenienced by our one-day act of kindness to help in a worthy cause.  Come on fellas, it's just one day and we can make a huge difference.  I'm even hoping that one of the people I smiled at may be the deciding vote for our next raise!

The point is, every day in our life is what we make it.  And what we make of our day can profoundly influence the day of another human being.  So why not make the best of it?  Whether you're filling the boot or just going about your daily chores, pass along a smile.  Wave at the next car, bus or train.  Forgive the driver that cut you off.  It all starts with you.

Put on a smile will ya?  Let's make a difference.  And let's do it today.