Spread it around

Last week I sat next to an elderly woman in my doctor’s waiting room and soon we started to chat. Within minutes, she was sharing deeply personal stories that made my eyes tear up. When I left, she took my hand and thanked me for speaking with her.

I will not forget her smile.

A few days later, I called a friend to ask for some advice. Not long into the conversation, he made a proposal that nearly took my legs out from under me.

I will not forget his generosity.

Yesterday, my kids surprised me with a couple of Jack O’Lanterns. I’d been complaining that it didn’t feel like Halloween. Now, it does.

I will not forget their thoughtfulness.

As I sit here pondering the hostility of today’s public dialog about politics and the economy, I’m struck by these three events.

While it’s easy to feel powerless in the midst of today’s problems, we shouldn’t overlook the power each of us has to dramatically impact the lives of those around us.

Whether we find the proof in a doctor’s office, on a telephone call, or glowing on our doorstep when we come home from work, there’s power in kindness.

And we don’t have to wait for government approval before we spread it around.

Posted on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 02:38 PM

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(19) Reader Comments about Spread it around

John Thomas says...

Now we see the kinder, gentler Blair. Without the crookedness.

Thanks for the reminder. It’s sometimes easy to forget that in the busy-ness of life. Especially at home with the ones you really love.

Posted on 10/15/2008 at 02:53 PM

Blair Warren says...

Thanks John. I try to set the crookedness aside from time to time.

As for the reminder, it’s as much for me as anyone else. Life has a way of making us all forget what’s really important, even it’s staring us right in the face.

Posted on 10/15/2008 at 03:08 PM

Cathy Stucker says...

It is easy to forget how simple actions can have a profound effect on others. And it is sometimes hard to recognize the importance of these moments when they are happening. Thanks for a nice reminder of the positive parts of life.

Posted on 10/15/2008 at 03:08 PM

Steve says...

“Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” - Mark Twain

Sometimes we get the biggest “pick-me-ups” from the most unexpected sources. That’s what makes them so special.

Thanks for sharing, BW.

Posted on 10/15/2008 at 03:10 PM

Blair Warren says...

Thanks Cathy and Steve. Much appreciated!

Posted on 10/15/2008 at 03:16 PM

Jerry says...

While it’s easy to feel powerless in the midst of today’s problems, we shouldn’t overlook the power each of us has to dramatically impact the lives of those around us.

The feeling of powerless is the success of the conditioning we’re being programmed with.

We’ve been conditioned to be angry at what we’re being exposed to in the world of politics, economy, etc. The anger triggers the fear.

Step #1 - Hear / read something about the state of politics, economy, etc and feel the onset of anger, or rage, or resentment toward the information build within yourself.

Step #2 - Feel the anger transforms into fear, powerless, a feeling of being a victim.

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Observe this in your thoughts ... experiment with this for a few days, actually observe it for a few minutes. You’ll realize, just as I do, that we been conditioned to become angry in order to be made afraid, fearful, a sense of powerlessness.

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Simply observing, but not judging this pattern within oneself breaks the conditioning. Not all at once, but thought by thought

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When you don’t get angry at the information, you don’t feel powerless.

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I hope this doesn’t sound “preachy” ... hopefully it makes sense.

Posted on 10/15/2008 at 03:30 PM

Ron Hudson Influence Persuasion NLP says...

Blair,

I love this post! All of us have the capacity to take actions that will positively impact the lives of others. It requires influencing ourselves to be a light in the darkness. The more people focus on contributing to others in that fashion, the more people will be able to tap into their inconquerable spirit and thrive in the days and weeks ahead.

Thank you for brightening my day with your post.

Warmly,

Ron

Posted on 10/15/2008 at 03:36 PM

Jan says...

Hello Blair,

good to see you back to blogging, and a touching post it is.
The big small things that really matter in our personal lives: kindness, consideration, a touch of mutual respect, all the stuff we aren’t obliged to do. Maybe that’s what makes it so powerful. Because we don’t HAVE TO.
But we can choose to.

It’s kind of a ‘soft’ topic in these result and effectiveness driven times. But then, its results and effects can be beyond measure.

Greetings,

Sekoja

Posted on 10/15/2008 at 03:39 PM

Denise O'Berry says...

In my mind it goes back to that old saying, “Life is 20 percent what happens and 80 percent how you respond to it.” We can all choose to respond in a kind and empathetic manner to all things around us.

Posted on 10/15/2008 at 03:52 PM

Jay Deiboldt says...

It’s so easy to get totally wrapped up in our own lives and issues that we forget the magnitude of the effect we can have on those around us.

Both positive and negative.

Even the smallest act of kindness or gesture can perform miracles in someone else’s life.

It’s human nature to have the “my issues come first” psyche, and there’s nothing wrong with that…

As long as we can step outside of it when necessary, and not let it completely engulf us to the point where nothing else matters.

Posted on 10/15/2008 at 04:36 PM

Mike says...

Great to “see” you back and that’s a great way to re-enter.

Posted on 10/15/2008 at 08:24 PM

Blair Warren says...

Jerry,

Thanks for your insights. I completely agree. And they didn’t sound preachy at all to me.

Posted on 10/15/2008 at 08:26 PM

Blair Warren says...

Ron said, “The more people focus on contributing to others...the more people will be able to tap into their inconquerable spirit and thrive in the days and weeks ahead.”

I couldn’t have said it any better, Ron. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here.

Posted on 10/15/2008 at 08:31 PM

Blair Warren says...

Jan, you’re right when you say the effects of kindness “can be beyond measure.” I’ve seen it many, many times.

Denise said, “We can all choose to respond in a kind and empathetic manner to all things around us.” Absolutely!

Jay said, “Even the smallest act of kindness or gesture can perform miracles in someone else’s life.” Agreed. And sometimes the smallest gestures can yield the greatest results.

Mike, thanks for the welcome back. It’s good to be back.

Posted on 10/15/2008 at 08:40 PM

Jim says...

Budda says ...
“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, no matter who said it even if I have said it ... unless ... it agrees with your own reason and common sense.”

Do your best to greet the world with a smile every morning.
In other words give yourself a reason to be civil and, in all liklyhood, that civility will spread.

Charity begins at home! Treat yourself well. Sound selfish? No! Just reality!

Posted on 10/16/2008 at 05:24 AM

Blair Warren says...

Well said, Jim. That quote from Buddha is one of my favorites.

Posted on 10/16/2008 at 07:27 AM

Cosmic Connie says...

Darn it, Blair, if I keep reading stuff like this I might have to suspend my snarkiness (a little, anyway). But seriously, this was a good post. It’s especially valuable as we reach the home stretch of a presidential campaign that promises to get even nastier than it’s been so far.

Have I mentioned that I am really glad to see you blogging again?

PS ~ Hi, Cathy!

Posted on 10/16/2008 at 12:34 PM

Blair Warren says...

Hey Connie,

Thanks for the compliment and for the nice welcome back. It’s been too long, that’s for sure.

As for your snarkiness, don’t pull back too much. That’s one of your most endearing qualities.

Posted on 10/16/2008 at 01:59 PM

Chuck Kissee says...