Linda Hamilton is one of the most powerful people I now know of. And she’s often homeless, and is physically crippled. She’s an older black woman in America - not exactly starting very high up on the food chain. But she doesn’t seem to notice. She has something most of us don’t have - compassion for a stranger. Start paying close attention at about 4:25 in this video. That’s when Linda appears.

One of the most common MISCONCEPTIONS about compassion, love, and PERSONAL POWER is that the wealthy or well off have more of it than the poor and the homeless. But the FACT is, those who are most likely to help are the seemingly powerless. I have given away my last loaf of bread or dollar to a stranger, while watching others, with more money, resources and “power” walk by without pausing - just like in this video.

The FACT is, our status, wealth, money and resources are NOT the true measure of our power, our compassion or our leadership abilities. Our character IS. Who we ARE, not what we have, is what makes us powerful, compassionate and a leader.

Notice how she PERSISTS in spite of being ignored.
Notice how she doesn’t care what people THINK of her or the man on the ground.
Notice how she spots the beer can and gets rid of it to help her cause - doing what she can to change the perception.
She names the fallen man, humanizing him for passersby.
She ASKS REPEATEDLY for what she wants - even though 26 people walk by and ignore her.
When faced with indifference and callousness, she remains positive, calm, persistent, polite.
When ONE PERSON ACTS, OTHER PEOPLE FOLLOW.
She was willing to get involved.
There wasn’t anything in it for her and she didn’t expect anything. And like the narrator says at the end….

What would YOU do?