Life's Lessons: Touch the Life of One Other Person Today

This article was originally composed and shared nine years ago. And, today, more than then, reaching out to others is so important.

Social media sites CAN make a positive impact when it comes to connecting with others. That being said, the reverse is true.

Hate can be bred on social media sites. It is gut-wrenching to see the hate that some spew at others for their beliefs.

We can disagree but making disparaging remarks about others is just wrong. It is that simple.

We are on this planet, in part, to make the walk of others easier. You will read that remark in this article more than once.

Sharing goodness with others in one way to achieve that goal.

There is much to be said for reaching out to others. Thinking of a time when a stranger has greeted you sincerely, how did you feel?

When we connect with others in some small way it lets them know they are valued, at least for that moment. If you treat people as if they are invisible they may feel that they have no worth. Not your problem how someone else is feeling or thinking. But we know that is .

We are on the planet in part to help make the walk easier for each other. One way we can do that is to let others know they are important, valued, even if for a brief moment.

When you are shopping, no matter what kind of shopping it is, do you notice the workers? The ones who stock the shelves, who clean up the messes, who wait on us, who take our money at the register? Do you acknowledge them? Even the ones who are grumpy and appear to hate their jobs?

Or, do you whiz by them on your way to wherever you are going? Are you too busy to greet them? Are you too busy to smile? Even if your greeting or your smile is not reciprocated, you have connected with another human for an instant. And, while you may not know what it impact it has on them, it does in some small way affect them. For that moment, they feel that someone noticed them and cared enough to speak or to smile.

....Mr. Carver nailed it....didn't he?

We will all experience what some may scorn us for at some point, at least to some degree.....the young part and the aged part...we all will definitely know (hopefully).

Finding the 'Happy" in 2021 can be challenging. Many are not happy and make no secret of it.

And while there are many reasons to be unhappy, being unhappy changes nothing.

If you are willing to step to the forefront and share whatever concern you have with the world because you are unhappy with what is happening, that is a good thing.

That is not being unhappy just because.

Being happy does not mean to turn a blind eye to so much that is going awry today. As a wise person once said---if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

Find reasons to be happy and to share that happiness with others. At the same time, pay attention to what is happening and give voice to those concerns.

Not too long ago, I began to say something to every cashier that rings up my order as I am checking out at one of my favorite stores. When they are all finished ringing up my order, I simply say,

"I hope everyone is good to you today."

That's all. And the reaction is phenomenal.

A huge smile comes over the person's face and they usually reply. Something like, "I hope so too." And, as I begin to walk away, many add, "What a nice thing to say, or, Thank you so much." For that brief moment we have conncected become of a part of each other's daily existence.

Now, I do not say the words hoping that someone will think I am Ms. Wonderful. I say them because I mean it. I hope that everyone is good and kind to them because it has a ripple effect. If we are a kinder and gentler toward one another, it is passed along to others.

I would much rather be in a car next to someone who has received a hello or a kind word from someone than someone who is angry or upset.

There is a lady who is about my age who works as a manager of a small discount store in the town where I live. When I first moved to the town, whenever I went to the store, she reminded me of Eeyore of Winnie the Pooh fame. She would grumble and complain about everything, every time I went.

But, I decided that I would shop there when I needed to and that she would not steal my day. So every time I went to the store, I was my little bubbly self. Greeting her with a smile and a happy little chirp of a 'how are you today?' And she usually would tell me and it wasn't pretty.

Undaunted, I continued to be Pollyanna as I went about my shopping, and when I would check out I would say the words, "I hope everyone is good to you today." She never responded.

In the last few weeks, some of her rough edges have softened a bit She still tries to be the blustery day but today she actually said to me, "Have a good day" as I was leaving. And I had heard her say to others who checked out before me.

Now I may or may not have had anything to do with this change in her. It makes no difference who caused the change but it happened. She is still over worked and under paid but she seems a bit happier. Happy people are a good thing!!

I am not naive enough to think that we can cure all of what is wrong in the world with a few words. I do think if we connect with others on a personal level it makes us have a connection, a bond, a knowledge of each other to an extent. We begin to see that we are more alike than we are different. That is significant.

If we come to realize that we have more in common than we have differences, we can come to a better understanding of one another. That leads to open and honest dialog which does lead to change.

As adults we are role models for our young. Whether they are our young, or, whether they are young people who see our actions. What we do, how we behave, speaks volumes to young people. Actions and behavior speak far louder than any words we say.

Kids see through any facade we may be showing the world. If we say, smoking is bad, for example, and we smoke, what a confusing message that sends to our children. If we say it is wrong to lie, and our children hear us lie, how can they learn to believe that we really mean it?

It is an awesome task being a role model. Teaching children how to cope with all that they face: anger, embarrassment, fear of failure, fear of not being liked, accepting who they are, and the myriad of other life experiences is almost too much to ask of us. But it is on us.

No one among us is perfect. Nor should we be. And when you make a mistake or you do something that may be wrong for your child to witness, do not be afraid to acknowledge it and explain that you are human and you make mistakes but this is a lesson that you want them to learn. Whatever it is, they need to know how to learn to form their own judgments in given situations when you are not present. They need to be equipped to tell you when someone is unhinged and they sense it. They need to know that no matter what, YOU have their backs.

.Our young people will grow then to adults that will help to FIX our nation and our world. I have to believe that. It begins with us....we pass the torch to them. Our lives, the way we live our lives, directly influences what will come next. H.O. W. we live now is impacting the tomorrows that are to come.

Those of you who read many of my articles know that when I comment I very often say,

Sending Angels your way. I do not do that lightly. Angels have followed my family and me for years and years. And our lives are so blessed because of it Some of these Angels have been
earthly Angels but many more are spiritual Angels. And I send them out to you as I close a comment because I know those Angels will watch over and protect you.

So as I close this hub, I am sending Angels to each of you.