Twice this week, I have watched an elderly individual fade into the busy life in which we all live. One man just needed Panadol for his wife, but the shop assistant simply said it’s in ‘6’.

He struggled to navigate the supermarket, and as I watched him go in the wrong direction, I left all my groceries and took him where he needed to go. His gratitude was poignant but at the same time priceless.

Today, I watched an elderly man struggling in the heat. I noticed he had had a fall with a huge scrape and blood on his leg. He limped past people in the café while he slowly made his way to his car.

Not one person stopped. Or looked. Or acknowledged him. I took him to his car and checked if he was okay. We chatted and he told me he had a fall. As we commiserated, he told me that he wasn’t sure how the air conditioner worked in his car, so he just didn’t use it.

I sat with him until his air conditioner kicked in and as we passed a few minutes of making small talk I heard him talk about the frail old body that he is in, which fails him now every single day.

When you see an elderly person making their way slowly down the street, searching for something in the supermarket, or struggling to get to their car, take a minute out of your busy schedule and ask them if they need a hand. Think about your grandparents and your parents and how pissed off you would be if someone didn’t stop to help them. But more importantly, think of them as you.

Once upon a time, they were you. They were busy; they had work; they had children; they were fit and able… Today, they are just in an older body that is not going as fast as it used to and this busy life is confusing.

They deserve our utmost respect and consideration. One day, it will be you, and it will be us. I wish more people gave a sh*t about them and acknowledged them for their admirable existence and geez I hope someday, not that far away, someone does it for me.

If you want to enjoy the feel-good factor, instead of purchasing a self-indulgence try this gambit. Keep your eyes and your heart open for someone unfortunate. Think of all the good things they have done for others during their lives without a thought fr reward.

Engage them in a good day wish, spend a few moments with them and if they need a little help then help them. God sees everything and He will reward you with a -good feeling. Try it, it works.

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