Have you ever wondered how something you are doing now will effect your future? Or how past events may have an influence on who you are and what you are doing today? Most of the time when we are "in it"...going about our day-to-day activities...we rarely ponder how this action may ripple out and effect future lives, future paths or even where may be going. Until some years later when we stop and reflect on the events of our life and have one of those "aha" moments of complete awareness that the events that have occurred had to happen in such perfect order for this exact moment to unfold as it is! It truly is an amazing phenomenon to witness!!
We never know how one action, one word or one act of kindness may shift or effect the course of another! The ripples are exponential and infinite!
I met with a colleague from my seeming-distant past - a time when we both worked at the Ministry of Health over 5 years ago. It was amazing and wonderful to hear about how his path has unfolded and about the powerful impact he is having on the lives of those he interacts with! I had no idea. This man was always very kind, happy, caring and in the flow of life...his staff have always loved him, followed him from Ministry to Ministry....because of his honesty and integrity. We engaged in conversation about life, inspiration, leadership and the simplicity of a joyful life. I was inspired while speaking with him! He is a Deputy Minister of Children & Youth Services now and shared some of the uplifting day-to-day activities he is involved in, by his own choice and doing. With a deep desire and passion for helping and bettering the lives of others, he took a leap of faith and courage and reached out beyond the call of duty. In wanting to understand the youth of today, especially those who have traveled paths less glamorous, he visited a number of youth detention facilities and just sat and talked with the young individuals about life, how their path brought them to this point, how the programs at the facility could be improved and provided them with an opportunity to be a part of their own self-learning and rehabilitation - candid, open, vulnerable, accepting and compassionate. Instead of shying away from the issues, he took the time and extended a caring hand.
He also started a blog where he shares details of who he is, his life and the realness of his experience. And the best part...his blog is accessible to all of his staff and anyone he comes into contact with! A space of complete honesty and openness....nothing hidden! Full authenticity and integrity! I love it! The power and impact of this is far reaching! People respect and honour who he is! His staff love him! People ask him to speak at Leadership conferences! All because of his honest, open realness and deep passion and love for helping people and wanting to make a difference!
We just never know who, how, where or when we might touch the life of another and make a difference! It's one of the greatest mysteries! And once in a while we get a glimpse of the impact one smile, a gentle word, a gesture of inspiration or a random act of kindness has on another human being...shaping or changing the course of his or her life to a higher place!!!
As I complete this newsletter and article, the radio station harmonized with the writing in expressing the following song by Hootie & the Blowfish: "One love might make a difference....Might take the walls and tear them down....One light might keep on shinning....If we take One love we spread it around....Same scene played over and over and over now....Same young passion, same red blood....universal language goes unspoken....but only One love.....One love might make a difference...."
Like I said, we just never know how we effect the world around us.....I love the interconnection of all things!!
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