In the late 1990’s, I travelled to Mumbai, India on a sales process consulting gig for Microsoft. On a weekend during my stay at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, I decided to do a little morning sightseeing. I chose the museum with the longest name – the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vaastu Sangamaya!
As I ventured out into Mumbai after breakfast, a young woman came up to me and asked me where I was going. When I told her, she asked if I knew my way. When I said no, she took my hand and said to me, “I will take you there.” As we strolled together, she chatted with me as though we had always known each other.
When we reached the entrance, I thanked her. She refused money and said she would wait for me until I was ready to leave the museum. My protests failed to discourage her.
Hours later, I saw her as I left the museum. When I went up to her, she asked me where I would like to go next. I remembered my consulting partner’s interest in a book he named and thought I might pick it up for him on my way back to the hotel. Taking my hand, she said she knew where we would find the book.
So, we headed off together again. After a few minutes, she asked me if I would buy her a milk. Thinking she meant a treat, I asked her to show me when we found a vendor. She stopped at a small opening in a wall with a single set of shelves. She pointed to a large, powdered milk container. The shopkeeper demanded $20. Thinking that a lot, I hesitated before I made the purchase. As I handed it to her, she thanked me and told me that it would feed her family for a month. I never saw her again.
I was immediately mobbed by the dozens who had witnessed the purchase. It was obvious what they wanted. I insisted nobody would get anything until they backed away. I picked those to whom I would donate while the rest fought the recipients for what they had received.
As I reached the armed security guards at the edge of the hotel property, the crowd fell away. Relieved, I headed to the hotel rooftop lounge. Escorted to my table, overlooking the Arabian Sea, by a uniformed maître-d, I ordered a gin martini. Nursing my second, I reflected on my morning.
I thought about her. Was she manipulating me for selfish gain or was she doing all she could to feed her family? I thought about my hesitation at purchasing the powdered milk. I realized I had not thought twice about ordering two martinis. I looked around at my luxurious surroundings. I realized none of the desperate people I had escaped could even dream of what I took for granted. I thought about my relief at reaching the security guards. I realized I never need armed security guards to protect me from annoying need – I can simply turn
away and avoid anyone who approaches me. I realized that whereas I have much more than I need, many have much less than they need. I was embarrassed that it took a morning in Mumbai to bring all this top of mind.
Overall, that morning was of much more benefit to me than that trip and gig. A much-needed wakeup call! I need to pray that I never again fall asleep.
Del H. Smith conducts research into life’s meaning and is the award-winning author of the Amazon Best Seller, Discovering Life’s Purpose.