A recent trip to New York City placed me in it’s underbelly, the subway system. This typical Friday afternoon had its share of passengers seated and standing upright while holding on for dear life to prevent flying into the arms of a stranger as I did just minutes ago. At one particular stop, a light skinned, petite girl, possibly seven or eight-years-old with numerous braids stepped on board.

She was a determined little thing. With an air of confidence that I hadn’t seen in someone so young in years, a blinged out tote bag swung from one shoulder. In her hands she held a clear, green plastic folder containing pictures. Riley (I would learn her name later) set about, one person at a time, presenting her items for sale. In a polite and confident tone, she would say, “Excuse me, would you like to buy my art work?”

I was fascinated by her behavior as she approached each adult. Some reacted with kindness in turn, saying “No thanks,” if they chose not to engage. One passenger pulled out his wallet and gave her some money but refused the hand colored artwork that she tried to give him. Then it was my turn.

I held the folder as she explained the prices of her work starting at two dollars and as high as twenty. When asked if she did all the work herself, Riley confessed that she and her sister worked on the project. I told her to pick out a picture that she colored. It said, “I Love You” surrounded in brilliant colors. How could one not smile at something so simple? I held out three dollars to pay for my purchase. She said, “That’s a two-dollar picture.” Impressed with her honesty, I told her it included a tip. Her big smile warmed my heart. I asked for a hug which she did not hesitate in giving.

Placing the money in the blinged out bag, Riley continued, business as usual. A maternal need to protect her came over me as I watched a man purchase a picture with an ocean scene and afterward a lady paid five dollars for her purchase then shook Riley’s hand. I continued to watch the little entrepreneur handle her business with a smile, filled with determination, one person at a time until she disappeared from my view.

Ms. Riley taught me two lessons that day; don’t let anything get in the way of business and if you have persistence and determination you will succeed. She was the kick in the pants, a blessing in disguise, that I and so many of us need when we feel like whining about how tired we are when goals or dreams don’t go our way. Yes, we all need a little Riley to make life worthwhile.