Humanity's Awesomeness

            It's so easy in a big city to forget about everyone but yourself. Athens isn't like Minnesota, where everyone waves, stops to chat on the sidewalk, or invites you in for some coffee. Big cities just don't function that way. However, something happened the other day that opened my eyes to just how awesome humanity is. The city has it's own way of 'inviting you in for coffee'. Here in Athens, it's as simple as a piece of paper.
            This piece of paper is a small rectangle of blue that costs 1.40 euro. It's a metro ticket, good for 90 minutes of travel anywhere in the city. How does that make humanity awesome? Well, 95% of the trips the average Athenian takes are much shorter than the 90 minutes. It has become common practice for people to leave the used, but still good ticket on the escalator going to the trains where it can be picked up by another passenger. Call it Athens Nice :)
             I have been the reciepient of this random act of kindness and have since adopted the practice myself. It's such a great feeling when you find a ticket and know you've saved 1.40 euro (about $2). And passing on that feeling to someone else? Priceless. On Monday, I picked up a ticket at my metro stop, rode home, and then passed my ticket on to someone else. Best feeling ever. I swear I floated home :)
           Here's my challenge for you, friends. Today, take the time to do something nice to someone else. Buy a coffee for the guy behind you. Take out the trash. Compliment a stranger. Leave a metro ticket. Whatever you do - start small and take it one step at a time.