Faith in Humanity

The Fischers had a rough October. Well, perhaps it wasn't rough per se, just frustrating. Near the beginning of the month, while in Lyon, my cellphone was stolen. Then later in the month as we walked up the street to our apartment after a long day of traveling home from Austria, we noticed that Brian's bike was stolen. Two very important items that were essential to our daily lives, (Brian biked to work every day), were taken from us. It was a disappointing time in our lives and I personally lost faith in humanity.

That was a difficult felling for me to grasp and deal with. Normally I feel very good about people and life in general. I can't count the number of times a stranger has offered to help Elise down the stairs of the metro station while I carried Celia in her stroller. On a daily basis, I notice complete strangers looking out for one another's well being. The world is orderly and people are good to one another.

But then October happens and we get nailed. And since the evil coincided with a turn in the weather, I became angry, disappointed, and lost the faith. It was an ugly, grey time. Fortunatly this evilness also coincided with a trip back to sunny Southern California, my family, and a break from France, french, and this life. (Not that this life is hard...I did mention that I spent October in Lyon and Austria, right? What am I complaining about here, really? Don't I make you crazy?) Anyways, I got away and it did wonders for my spirit and I returned a happier person with a better outlook on humanity. Not completly ready to trust the world again, but feeling better about life in general.

Then December comes around.

Our friend Pamela came to visit us for the weekend before heading off to the States to be with her own family for the holidays. Unfortunatly for Pamela, snow hit Europe and they didn't know what to do with themselves. Fligths were canceled and life as we know it stopped for all travelers. Pamela's Saturday arrival turned into Monday night after an entire day of sitting at the airport, on the runway, and on her flight. Yet even though she made it to Paris after a horrible day of travel, her troubles had just begun. She waited in line for an hour to buy a train ticket only to learn that she couldn't buy one at the kiosk because they don't take cash. (Aren't we great friends? We really helped her prepare for this trip.) After learning that the ticket counter was closed and she had no way of buying a train ticket, a lovely couple offered to buy her a train ticket, for free! They totally hooked her up with a ticket and saved the day!

But oh wait, it gets better....

While waiting for the train, Pamela's belly reminded her that the only thing she had to eat that day was a banana that morning for breakfast at like 5 AM. It's now almost 6:30 PM and Pamela would love nothing more than a tasty Orangina from the vending machine. However, the 50 she has in her wallet is not going to cut it so she roams the platform for anyone who can break her 50 and allow her to buy a drink without getting 5 and 10 cent coins worth of 48 euros in change. And guess what happens? A saint sent down from Oragnina heaven offers to buy her a drink, for free! He saves the day and Pamela's sanity after a terrribly long day of travel. A wonderful ending to a horrific day.

So, why do I share all this you ask? Well, the goodness continues. While waiting for the metro in Berlin, a young man was trying to buy a ticket with his 20 euro bill. Unfortunatly, the machine only took coins and he was unable to buy a ticket. Thus, he was stuck in Pamela's CDG/Orangina situation and needs to find someone, some saint, to break his 20 so that he can continue on with his travels. I watched him approach one person who was unable to provide him with the proper change. The next person he approached was also unable to break his 20, but went above and beyond the expectations of humanity: just like Pamela's angels, this kind soul offered the young traveler the change he needed to buy a ticket, no charge, no 20 exchange, no questions asked. It was awesome!

Its New Year's Eve and while some people out there are going to spend wiser this year or try to lose weight, (I wouldn't mind losing some Paris Pounds...), I've decided to not make a New Year's Resolution per se. Instead I'm decided to carry on the torch of the good karma that's been evident in my life over the last 10 days. I have seen, heard, and expereinced some of the kindest acts of human kind and my hope for 2011 is to be a person that makes those good things happen to others and to continue the flow of good karma to those around me. Now, I'm no saint by any means. I'm not trying to change the world and I can guarantee you that I won't be giving out my euros to any beggar on the street. I'm easily frustrated and there are times when my kids drive me crazy. However, in these past few days I've had a revelation to be better because it's been evident all around me and I really want to do good!

I am going to do my best to be my best on a daily basis. When I can go the extra mile to help out a Pamela of the world or single traveler of Berlin, I hope that my heart is open and that I do the right thing. And I want to remember that although I may get my phone/bike/something or other stolen again during the 2011 that I keep in mind that my one occurrence of badness is not outweighed by the good karma that is all around me.

Thus, as the New Year is rolling on and my eyes are rolling down, let us all cheers this New Year as a time to not start a new but to continue and rejoice in all the goodness that is around us. Happy New Year to you All!!!! It's going to be a great year!