As I stood to leave, a flight attendant approached me. Her voice was kind, but her words struck deep.
“Sir,” she said gently, “the lady behind you was having a hard time catching her breath earlier. Just so you know, small actions — even reclining your seat — can make a big difference for someone in her condition.”
And in that brief exchange, I felt the sting of truth. I hadn’t done anything terrible, but I also hadn’t done anything good. I had chosen convenience over compassion, comfort over care.
The Realization That Changed Everything
As I walked through the airport, her words followed me like an echo. I thought about how easily we forget to see others — really see them. How quick we are to judge, to assume that our need for rest or space matters more than someone else’s quiet struggle.
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