When a Random Act of Kindness Reshaped My Life
By Daniel Murray, Speaker
Through the rhythmic rumbles of our rickety train, I began to awake to sunlight coming through the windows. I could tell we were heading into our destination, Bangkok, by the strong smells and large buildings that had appeared replacing the farmland that I had seen upon our departure. The train was an overnight service from Chiang Mai in the north to the capital and I awoke with a stiff neck in my seat, rubbing my eyes and swaying gently with the train.
I was just 20 years old at the time and this was my first overseas adventure. As a kid who had grown up relatively poor, this was my inaugural voyage into the world of being an adult. I looked down the middle of the carriage and saw a lady in a uniform walking towards me. She was carrying a small wooden box. She stopped at each passenger and spoke to them in Thai. Each time the person would pull out their wallet and give her some money. I quickly worked out it was payment due for the meals we had ordered on the train the night before. I had a small box with rice and chicken, and a cold beer, so I pulled out my wallet in preparation, but immediately my heart sank.
I had no cash.
I started to panic. It was clear that the wooden box would not accept my credit card. There was no ATM on the train and no other way I could pay for my meal. I started to sweat, anxious as to what I would say and how I would get out of this predicament. In the back of my head, a voice started to whisper: You stupid kid. What are you going to do now? Can't even manage your money and now you are in big trouble. You should have stayed at home. You should never have come. Silly little boy.
In this moment of panic and despair, I looked up to see the lady standing there looking down at me. What was about to unfold would forever alter the course of my journey, both literally and metaphorically. Her task was meant to be simple—collect payment for the services rendered. Yet, as she looked down at me, she must have been able to see the despair and fear all over my face. I tried to mutter something as I fanned open my wallet but I think it was inaudible jibberish. Sweat covered my face and fear screamed from my eyes.
What happened next was nothing short of extraordinary. With grace that belied the simplicity of the act, she walked a little way back down the train. She retrieved a small purse from a compartment in the middle of the train. She took about 300 Baht from this purse and, without a word, pushed it into the small slot in the wooden box. She looked back down the carriage at me and smiled. As she walked by, her gentle hand touched my shoulder and she continued on. This gesture, small in the grand scheme but monumental in its impact, was a beacon of empathy in a moment when isolation felt all too consuming. Her kindness was not justified or expected. She likely needed the money more than I did in the bigger scheme of things, but she did it anyway. Her action wasn't inspired by the hope or expectation of reciprocation; it was a pure expression of kindness, understanding and compassion for another's situation.
This experience became a cornerstone of my personal philosophy, an experience I have carried with me through countless journeys and encounters. The woman on the train, whose name I never knew, taught me the profound power of empathy—not merely the act of extending kindness, but the art of truly understanding those who walk a path different from our own. It is a lesson that has inspired me to contribute, in whatever ways I can, to the communities that have welcomed me throughout my travels, particularly in Thailand. I've been supporting orphanages and homes for children in the land of smiles for more than 15 years now. Raising money, teaching English and trying to help the disadvantaged where I can. Whether it be taking the sick to the hospital or sharing laughter over a meal, all those whose paths I've crossed have been influenced by the essence of empathy shared with me by that lady on the train.
In my career, and indeed in life, this lesson has been a continual source of inspiration. It has shaped my understanding of leadership, connection, and the human capacity for compassion. Through my work, I aim to share the wisdom of those who have taught me the transformative power of empathy. In many ways, I do it not only to help others but to say thank you to that lady and her moment of kindness. Empathy is a gift not just received but one that multiplies when shared, fostering a world where understanding and compassion bridge the divides that separate us.
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