I messed up

I missed a car insurance payment. Just one. Totally my fault.

Then came the letter from the state: “Your registration may be suspended for 90 days.”

So I did what you’re supposed to do. Sent the forms. Checked the boxes. Followed the instructions.

Two months go by. Then another letter shows up: “We’re moving forward with suspension.”

Turns out they needed one more piece of paperwork… But forgot to tell me.

No letter. No email. No call. Nothing. Just silence.

So, of course, I tried calling them. Their state-of-the-art phone system said they were experiencing high call volume and that I should send them an email or try calling back later. And then, get this... it just hung up on me. They didn’t even bother with the typical “we appreciate your call.” Just click.

It’s wild how something that could totally wreck your life for 90 days can be, well… nobody’s problem.

And that’s when it hit me. We are all deeply selfish.

Not in a malicious way. Just… numb. Preoccupied. Too caught up in our own mess to notice someone else’s.

Empathy is rare. And the people who show it—really show it—are a gift.

My wife is that kind of person.

She pays attention. She shows up. She cares when no one’s watching. She remembers the text you didn’t reply to. Notices the look you tried to hide.

She sends the meal, makes the call, steps in—without needing a stage or a spotlight.

She doesn't just feel empathy. She moves on it.

And if I’m honest? I don’t always do that. There are moments I could’ve helped. Should’ve helped.

I bet you’ve had those moments too.

So here’s the question that’s been running around in my head. In those moments, was it really that you couldn’t help… or just that you didn’t want to?

Because it was inconvenient.
Because it wasn’t your problem.
Because you were tired or busy or just didn’t feel like it.

Yeah. Me too.

But maybe we don’t have to stay that way. Maybe today we pay attention. Make the call. Send the text. Give a little margin to someone who’s drowning.

Not because it’s our fault. But because we actually care.

And that kind of empathy? That’s the stuff that holds the world together.