It was going to be a very long flight. I was heading home from Bengaluru, India having facilitated a program for women in leadership at a global U.S. company. I was tired and not looking forward to being cramped in an economy seat for hours.
I stopped in the restroom to freshen up. The old attendant, slow in her movements, dressed in many layers of fabric, with deep wrinkles in her face, was wiping down the counter as travelers continually left their drips from the sinks. I was in no rush, so I watched as I washed my hands. I knew she must work for a pittance as she maintained her very humble demeanor, eyes lowered as every woman walked in, most not paying any attention to her as she kept the restroom clean.
I had a bunch of rupees in my purse that I was looking forward to converting back to U.S. dollars when I got home. Instead, I curled them into my hand and reached out to her in a moment when no one else was there. Our hands and eyes met as I smiled and said a quiet thank you, holding her hand momentarily so she knew the gesture was intentional for her. Her eyes filled with tears.
I had a lump in my throat as I walked away, wondering what kind of home she would be going to that night. I had seen the deep poverty of the people who are on the lowest rung of society. They have no chance of doing anything more than cleaning bathrooms (and worse) all their lives.
My perspective shifted to gratitude as I approached my economy seat and settled in for the long flights home. I was doing something she probably never has or will do.
I thought about how lucky we are to be able to make all kinds of choices about how we will live our lives, what we will focus on. Choosing what we will do and what we want to work toward becoming. And, particularly, how we will treat others along the way, particularly those who are not on the same rung.
