Two Saturdays ago, an interesting thing happened. My faith in humanity was redeemed; I realized good people still exist. And I don’t mean good people that are “nice” to you to your face or theorize how to live righteously or friends who are “nice” to you because they have to be. I mean being kind in their private time, without seeking recognition/validation of any kind, loving the unlovable, and especially not gaining a cent back.

I was chowing down Chipotle on F Street, China Town during break, with my fellow Saturday course classmates as we always do, travelling in a dorky self-conscious pack amid tourists, natives, workers who work on Saturdays, and of course panhandlers. We sat down on our high seats and discussed the latest findings at work, the course itself, our wry professor, couple of the married guy classmates expecting babies on the way, you know the typical work/school/life jargon. We quickly began to wrap up our food to make it before break ends to begin an intensive workshop session. Being punctual was duly noted for this particular day.

I saw one of my classmates, Ron*, back in line for some reason. Confused, I thought, maybe he’s just hungry again? But wait why — the line was even double the length we had to endure 20 minutes ago? Shaking off the confusion, I gathered my laptop bag and purse and made it to the sidewalk outside where my “pack” was meeting. “Why is Ron in line again?” I inquired.

“He’s getting lunch for a homeless man.”

I was utterly taken aback. Ron? You mean, the Brazilian mobile product guy who always comes early to class, sits in the front, wears his hair spiky, a fitted polo or button up and jeans, and giant grin on his face? I couldn’t believe what I heard. The furthest thing I could imagine about Ron. Not to say that he doesn’t seem charitable. Don’t get me wrong – he’s as friendly and charming as they come. But charitable, to me, seemed like such an archaic, outdated, rare act to behold – I rarely see up-and-comers in their late 20s act in a way that doesn’t benefit them – without mentioning it to their colleagues.

Minutes ticked by and my peers started tapping their feet and checking their watches. I convinced everyone to wait for Ron.

After about seven minutes, Ron hurried out of Chipotle. Didn’t even bother to tell us what he was up to. Just had his book bag and a smile. “Let’s get to class guys!” We all convened and walked back up to Massachusetts together. “Class can’t start without us, since we’re like half of the class,” I said, eschewing people’s fears. I didn’t walk with concern for being late to class, however. I walked with pride. Knowing I had a fellow classmate who had the heart to love on someone who wouldn’t ever return the favor. He not only bought lunch, I heard; he stood in line chatting with the homeless man, probably in his early 60s, a scrunched up, wiry old man hunched over in a beanie, wearing a covering of sweaters. I walked with a guy who didn’t need recognition for his kind act – perhaps because he knew the glory is in Heaven.  I have the pleasure of dealing with Ron, and it doesn’t come as a surprise that he is a good person. It transcends into his work ethic, investment in our team projects, and being a solid leader and communicator. I know he’ll be a great leader someday.

Perhaps success isn’t always measured by what you know, say, or do vocationally. Success to me is based on the heart that drives the person.