With all the hustle and bustle of modern life, it seems everyone is constantly rushing around, always thinking about what they’re doing next rather than what they’re doing now.
It doesn’t take much, but every once in a while a gentle reminder to us all to slow down for a moment, concentrate on the present and focus on the task at hand can be very welcome.
As this heartwarming video shows, taking the time to concentrate on a task can be beneficial not just to yourself but to those around you.
Jordan Taylor, an employee at a supermarket in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was filmed doing just that, as he assisted Jack Ryan, who is autistic, in stacking the shelves for half an hour.
Check it out here:
Jack’s sister captured the moment on film, obviously appreciative that someone would take the time out of their day to do something seemingly so simple, but something that would make a huge difference to others.
When asked why he did it, Jordan told WAFB:
Something in the back of my mind was just like, ‘ask if he wants to help you’.
I was just happy that I could make someone else happy and make their day.
Captioning the video, Jack’s sister Delaney Edwards Alwosaibi said:
We all know autism makes going out difficult, and sometimes grocery stores can be a challenge.
This young man took the time to slow down and allow Jack Ryan to help for over 30 minutes, guiding him as he finished his task.
Jordan showed Jack around the store, handing him products to place on the shelves and taking the time to let Jack get on with it at his own pace.
Delaney added:
He could have ignored him. He could have made an excuse and said he couldn’t allow him to help. Instead, he let him have his moment and in turn gave my family a moment we will never forget.
In the video, Jack’s father can be heard saying ‘I’m watching a miracle right now’.
Delaney, touched by what the supermarket employee had done for her brother, went back to the store herself to speak to Jordan and get a photo with him, reports the Daily Mail.
But that wasn’t all. After speaking to Jordan, she learned that he would like to be a teacher one day. Delaney set up a GoFundMe page for him, which has so far over $25,000 in less than 24 hours.
Writing on the website, Delaney said:
Jordan Taylor, an employee of a local supermarket, invited my little brother, Jack Ryan, to help him stock groceries. Jack Ryan, or “Ziggy” as I call him, is diagnosed with autism and often becomes fixated on things. Jack Ryan was watching Jordan stock the coolers when Jordan asked Jack if he’d like to help. The smile on Jack’s face said all of the words that he couldn’t. Jack and Jordan stocked the coolers as a team, Jordan encouring Jack Ryan as he finished each task. Jordan told me he loves math and would like to possibly be an educator someday. All I know is, whatever he decides to do he will excel! Thank you to Jordan for what you did for our Ziggy, we will never forget!
It just goes to show what taking a little bit of time out of your day to help someone else can do.
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Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.