I believe we can administer grace to others through our communications, in both conversations and correspondence. We can lift and edify, even if only for a moment, by courageously considering our language. A few years ago, I was walking across campus when I noticed the woman in front of me wearing what I thought were a pair of amazing red shoes. I thought “I should say something to her. No, that would be weird. No, I really should say something. No, I am a stranger. No, say something!” Unfortunately, it usually takes a few rounds of mental wrestling before I act. I sped up, tapped the woman on the shoulder, and said “Excuse me, I just had to say I think your shoes are amazing!” She turned and said, “Thank you. I’m on my way to the Law School for an interview.” I replied, “Good luck–you will be great!” I could have chosen to say nothing, but I believe in seeing something wonderful and saying something, I made a difference for good.
Not long after, I was on another college campus. A man was sitting on a bench outside an office, working on his computer. He had what I thought was gorgeous, shoulder-length, auburn hair, with a natural wave–really something I could covet if I were not careful – as there has always been a small part of me that thought I was a redhead in disguise. Once again, I tried to convince myself I did not need to say anything, but eventually, I walked up, stood in front of him, and said, “I think your hair is beautiful.” He smiled, nodded and returned to his work. Although he didn’t say anything, I still believe I made a difference for good.
The first few years of my doctoral program were brutal. I sat through several statistics classes thinking, “I love feeling stupid for a few hours each day!” After a particularly difficult day of multivariate analysis, I went to a copy center to get some materials printed for the class I would teach that evening. I was exhausted, more than a bit discouraged, and utterly out of sorts, and feeling small. I gave my materials to the clerk and waited in line to pay and pick them up.
After I had paid, the clerk said, “Someone ahead of you asked me to give this to you.” I took the small piece of paper and read:
As evidenced by the photo, that small piece of paper has been carried in my wallet and pulled out more than a few times when things were difficult. It is now preserved in “the cloud,” and I am ever grateful for the stranger that day that who saw something good and chose to do something about it.
INVITATION TO ACT
In today’s world, we do need to be sensitive to some realities, but I believe there are still many opportunities to see something wonderful and then say or write something. This week, look for an opportunity to say or write something positive, helpful, or kind, and then do it. I believe as you intentionally look for the wonderful, you will see it more frequently. By saying or writing something, you will make a difference for good in your life and in the lives of those around you.
Comentarios