THE SAMARITAN
HomeShauna Lupaschuk
Have a Samaritan story of your own?
About THE SAMARITAN
I remember reading about a story a few years ago about an elderly woman who had forgotten her wallet on a city bus. Now, this wasn't any ordinary wallet. The woman had, if I can remember correctly, $1,500 in cash in it because she was going to buy a new mattress that day. Well, if you're like most people, you would probably think it was as good as gone and you'd be partially right. It was gone - gone into the hands of a complete stranger who also happened to be a good samaritan. The man returned the wallet with every single penny in it and the woman got to buy her beloved mattress. I clipped that article out of the paper to remind myself how many well-intentioned people live among us.
I think, in theory, we can all believe the world is bad. Our neighbours are annoying. Other drivers are inconsiderate. The cashier is just being lazy. Politicians are self-serving. The police are out to get us. But the problem is, none of it is true. Sure, there are a few bad apples, but we often let one sour experience spoil the entire basket. News media today, in all its glory, have expertly packaged your world for you: someone got robbed (it could happen to you), someone caught the flu (it will probably happen to you), someone got killed (you could be next), prices are going up (you're going broke). But is this the way the world really is?
I created The Samaritan to challenge the theory that the world is growing colder, that we just don't care any more. In fact, I believe the opposite is true. I believe we care a great deal - but good acts and nicities to strangers and your fellow neighbours just doesn't make the news. It doesn't sell. It's not exciting. Right?
Read on. Explore the site. Get involved. Do a small kindness for someone, anyone. They just might do the same for you.
Me and my girls. Sure we're not all looking at the camera, but being still and quiet is the miracle I'll take!
Lucky mom, lucky wife, samaritan.
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
- Aesop (620 BC - 560 BC). The Lion and the Mouse
