I Can Make a Difference?
March 1, 2008 · Print This Article
.
When James Chartrand of Men with Pens tagged me to do something nice and then write about it, I thought he was crazy. Okay, I know James is perfectly sane. I’m the one who’s crazy. Because this challenge felt all wrong to me.
At first I thought I could just ignore the tag, pretend like I’d never noticed it. Dum de dum. La la la. But my competitive edge kicked in. I broke into a sweat trying come up with the nicest thing to do out of everyone who’d been tagged. And then, I started thinking of all the nice things I’d done for people in the past week or so, and thought maybe I should write one of those linkbait lists. You know, something like “The 11,000 Nice Things I Did for People This Week and How You Can Make a Difference Like I Do.”
Finally, I got all bent out of shape and left a not very well thought out comment for James.
I explained that this challenge didn’t feel right. Being nice isn’t something I put on my to do list and then blog about. It’s just the way I am. Helping people and being kind is a lifestyle, not an assignment.
James responded: “We’re all good people every day… The idea is creating effect.”
Well James, I don’t know what alternate universe you’re living in, but where I come from, we’re not all good people. Have you watched the news lately? Ever seen an episode of Law and Order (ripped from the headlines)? I mean, didn’t some psychotic bitch at your work ever go out of her way to make your life a living hell? Nobody bullied you on the playground? Stole your lunch money? Made fun of your mother?
I told you I was crazy.
Which is exactly why this post almost became a full blown rant about mean people and why they suck so bad that someone made them their very own bumper sticker back in the 90s. But there’s no point in ranting about mean people, because mean people don’t care. That’s why they’re so freakin’ mean. They don’t give a shit about me, or you, or even themselves.
I’m not only crazy. I am also over analytical, which is a fancy way of saying that sometimes I think too much.
Now that my brain has been to the far side of the galaxy and back, I get it. I really do. James is right. Most of us are essentially good people, but some folks need a reminder to be considerate or thoughtful. Others just need someone to say, hey, don’t rush through life. Slow down and let someone see your smile. Help an over analytical lady like me across the street. Leave a 100% tip. Call your mom and tell her you love her.
So here’s my tag for you. Pay it forward (see, told you I finally got it). Yes, just like in the movie. Let go of your ego and stop trying to be the first one through the door. Find out what happens when you hold that door open or let someone else get in front of you on the freeway. When the person behind you in line has two items and you’ve got two carts full, let them go ahead. If they drop one of those two items, pick it up and hand it back with a grin. Dish out compliments to everyone you meet. Make someone’s day.
Then come back here and tell me how damn good it feels.
content rss
This was a fun one so feel free to try it. Oh and try dancing on a bar sometimes too....
This was one of the nicest ways to discover your new sneaky site you’ve been hiding from me.
I love the fisherwoman. Don’t you dare change her. If you do, give her to me. I’ll put her up in a nice home at MwP.
I loved your post. I need to think on an answer. I’ll be back.
Noway man. You can’t have my fisherwoman. She’s my identity.
Thanks for the tag, James. I really did go through this weird mental struggle, but I’m happy with the final result of this post. It’s funny how sometimes we take a really simple concept and complicate it to the extreme.
I’m alway’s being told to smile more and be happy… I’m not an actor or performer so I wear my feeling’s like a shirt. Good Vibration’s bring positive energy to one’s life.
Yeah, it’s annoying when someone tells you to smile and you just don’t feel like it. But, it’s also a good reminder when you do kind of feel like smiling. Heheh.
Uhm … I nearly always go out of my way to be friendly to people. To say “please” and “thank you” and “you’re welcome.” To compliment people on something, anything if I’m standing in front of them for more than 10 seconds. I strike up short conversations with cashiers, carry out people and receptionists. I nearly always answer, “I’m doing well today. How are you?” Do you know how many people have said to me, “You’re the only one that’s ever asked. Thank you.” I was not always like this, nor do I pretend that I’m always like this now, but I do make a concerted effort every day to at least be polite to the people I encounter. I am my chiropractic clinic’s favourite patient because I go out of my way to make jokes and laugh and ask about my interns and doctors. It seems so rare to them that anyone just asks. Or were you asking something else?
What was the question?
LOL Stephanie, you’re supposed to say how good it feels to be kind. Yesterday I was on the phone with my bank and when the representative came on she said “Hello, how are you?” I responded, “I’m good, how are you?” and she got all excited about that. Clearly nobody ever asks. What a shame.
more than just being nice to be nice, there’s a growing number of psychics, scientists and regular people who are discovering that what really matters is how you treat other people because we are literally all connected.
It’s no longer a parable or fairy tale, what we do to others literally affects us and many many people now say that there is a big change coming (around 2012) that depends upon the compassion of mankind.
If we can reach a certain level of unselfish love then the transition will be a smoother one than if we stay in a cycle of fear.
I think you are going to be just fine!
@Daz, That is true and while new agers and Pagans have long held such beliefs, the breakthroughs in science are really going to have an impact once people understand that how you treat others is not similar to how you treat yourself, it literally is how you’re treating yourself. I think the big change of 2012 that you speak of may have something to do with legends surrounding the Mayan calendars. That one, I’m not so sure about because when you get into divination you also open up the free will versus fate discussion.
This is getting into a fascinating area of discussion, one that I’ll explore in greater detail later in this blog
I think you’re just wonderful.
(And, a very good writer too,btw)
I’ll be back to read more.
Smile*
x,Will.
*so? Did ja?
Hi Will,
Thanks for your kind words, you are too sweet!
Melissa
*Did I? Did I? Did I… what?