Impact

Way back in 2014, I was having brunch with a man of the cloth.  Usually quite excitable, positive, and inspiring, he seemed quite the opposite of his usual self that day.  He admitted to me that he was absolutely drained of all his energy.   Even preachers get a little down on life sometimes.

When I asked him why he seemed so bummed, he confided that he was struggling with something quite human in nature.  You see, as a man of God, he is always giving of himself and trying to help other people.  That day, however, he questioned how much he actually helps because he doesn't often see the end results of his work.  As humans, it is natural to want to see causes and effects.  When someone comes to a therapist, a preacher, or even a friend because he or she is in a bad place, they may not express or even realize the effect that person had on them.  If someone helps you out, it never hurts to say "thank you."

Has someone helped you out recently?

My Mom has a few stories of 'random acts of kindness' in which people didn't know how big of an impact they've had on her life, and she shared a funny one that morning that seemed to cheer up our friend.

Back in the 90s, my family got stuck on the highway far from home on a hot, sunny afternoon.  I believe the alternator went, and my dad strained to push the gas petal to the floor just to coast over to the breakdown lane!  Two small kids in the car, we were stuck with at least a mile in either direction to safety from the crowded highway.  Not up on the times yet, we had no way to call for help.  This was the early 90s; cell phones had just become popular.  Long story short, a man pulled over on the side of the road in front of us to eat a mango.  Mom thought, "He must have a cell phone!"  After turning down the slice of mango he had offered her with his switchblade, Mom asked the man if he had a mobile phone.  He did.   Good thing, too.  It turns out that we were just in time to call for a tow truck and a rental car before they closed the shop for the day!  That man who pulled over on the side of the road for a mango saved the day, and he didn't really stick around after he served his purpose.

Those chance encounters with people that you may never see again still happen in this day and age.  The truth is that we impact others every day, in small ways and in big ones.  So, be a positive influence in someone's life today.  You never know whose day you may brighten, or whose life you may change!

Message of the day: Say "thank you" when you can, and aim to be a positive influence in this world.

...Or don't.  It won't change my reality.  Cheers!