There is a guy called Grant who stands at the pedestrian crossing at Post Office square and sells The Big Issue. I'm a big fan of the Big Issue, it's a wonderful initiative to help people who are a little down on their luck.
I usually try and buy from Grant regularly and he is so lovely, always ready with a smile and friendly comment. However, I have to admit that sometimes I am so caught up in myself and in a rush to meet a friend for lunch or race to the shops and get back to my air con office before I melt, that I bustle past Grant with no more than a forced half smile and a 'not today, thanks!'.
Today was one of those days, I was in a rush to meet two friends for lunch when Grant asked if I'd like a mag or their 2011 calendar. I said 'I'll grab one on the way back from lunch so I don't have to carry it with me' (I was heading to a sushi train and would be squashed into a tiny seat at the bar and had images of spilling soy sauce all over my calendar).
On my power walk way back to work after lunch I spotted Grant again and slammed on the breaks, and went over for a chat. I bought a $5 calendar, hanging him $10 and telling him not to worry about the change and his reaction was so lovely, genuinely grateful and so happy.
It really hit me, how self absorbed I can be sometime and something as simple as stopping and saying hello to Grant was such a reality check - my life isn't as busy or as important as I get carried away into believing sometime and I went back to work so much more relaxed and smiley.
Grant also gave me a Christmas card with a lovely note in side, directing me to his blog - which is really fabulous and an interesting read. I have just spent 15 minutes flicking through it and it is a genuine, refreshing, frank account of his life as a Big Issue vendor and semi-homeless man. I strongly suggest you have a read and will probably be hooked, just like me!
www.grantthepoliteguy.blogspot.com
Homeless again
8 years ago
