In this day on tools, we were asked to share with the community how we contribute to the world around us.
First, I contribute all of me. By committing to being who I truly am, I am bringing to the world somehting unique. There is no-one like me, and no-one who thinks quite like I do or does things quite like I can. That is something. Especially as it has required me to work through so much fear around being ME- you know, all those times we offered of ourselves only to be hurt, mistreated, ignored or just plain not noticed. To share of ourselves just because, and not for any specific return is something special. We share because we can. And I share because I love to.
I look for opportunities. If I see rubbish/litter on our beaches or down the road for example, I pick it up. If I see someone I know distressed, stressed or tired, I offer to take them for a coffee and spend some of my times and energy to simply be with them and listen- hopefully I can make them laugh too! I love to make people smile and laugh. If I am tired and stressed after a hard day's work and my daughter plays up or is not happy, I STOP, take a breath and give her a hug, rather than yell at her. I hug people all the time, as long as they are comfortable with that. I smile at people all the time, and if they ignore me or are rude to me, I have trained myself to smile more! Rather than feel hurt and not smile next time! I pick flowers sometimes to give to my friends or colleagues- just because. And my daughter does this too! I take time to ask the shop assistant how their day is, and then really listen. If I come across some piece of information or news that I know a friend or acquaintance will benefit from, I make an effort to pass it on. If I randomly think of a friend I haven't seen fr a while, I'll send them a text/e-mail/phone call to let them know I care and love them. I tell my daughter everyday how beautiful she is and how much I love her. I make time everyday to show her this. I tell my friends and family often how much I love and value them.
These are a few of the things I do.
I have told many people about tools, and some have started and some have really gained from it. I have inspired some people outside of tools too- for example with my running, there are many of my friends and colleagues who have either started running or who have committed to doing more exercise because of the results my running has given me.
I remind myself often that my work is my vehicle to affect positive change in the world through my work in well-being and communities, thus keeping in mind always what is important. This is important in the competitive world of research/academia where there is immense pressure to do only for 'self', to publish or perish, to 'use' the people you research to further your career. To make meaningful contributions to communities and people in this work, you need to go the extra mile- that takes time and energy away from the core business of producing publications and attaining research grants. I am happy to say that I go those extra miles and am rewarded by the satisfaction of contributing for the well-being of others. Though I am no longer a counsellor/therapist, I often spend hours with people (friends and strangers) talking through their problems, fears, hopes and dreams- sharing what I know and listening, really listening. I love connecting with people. I love people.
I spend hours in the wild places and work towards preserving these, in my work and also in talking to people about them and how necessary they are to our survival and well-being. I love connecting with the non-human world. I love nature and our world.
I strive to live my life in a conscious and loving way. As far as I am concerned, every moment is an opportunity to contribute in some meaningful way. Not in a heavy 'it's my responsibility' way, but in a joyful way. How cool is it that I can contribute? How cool is it that it is not huge things that are required, simply as I have wirtten before the words of Mother Theresa 'we do not accomplish great things, only small things with great love' or something along those lines.
The simple fact is, we DO change the world, every day and every moment. Everything we do is connected to something/someone else. So given that simple and essential truth, how do we choose to change the world? Every day? Every minute?
How can we argue that we are not powerful? If we all realised this power and we used it to better ourselves, each other and our world, what would our world look like?
Blessings!
comments
Amazing blog
Pip - thanks so much for sharing - you are truly a valuable person.
Have a great day! Angie