I'm Gretchen Rubin and this is A Little Happier.

This many episode is brought to you by Better Than Before, the book that I wrote about how

to make or break your habits.

It turns out it's not that hard to make or break a habit if you know what to do.

To learn more about the book, go to GretchenRubin.com.

A couple of years ago, I had an experience that was very fleeting when it happened.

I almost didn't notice when it happened, but I find myself thinking back on it often.

So I was in Midtown.

I was going to a restaurant to meet some friends and I was in a cab and we were going down

a side street.

We were almost at my destination.

I could see the restaurant awning just a little ways down the street.

And I looked out the window because the traffic was moving very slowly.

And I noticed that there was a man standing on the sidewalk who was trying to get a cab

and he looked very agitated.

He looked very upset and he was standing next to an older woman who looked very frail.

And so I said to the taxi driver, one, and I just get out here.

I paid the taxi driver and then I opened the door and I said to the guy, hey, it looks

like you're waiting for a cab.

You want to take my cab.

And the guy looked at me and he said, bless you with an intensity and a sincerity that

completely took me by surprise in which I have never forgotten.

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