I spend 9 or more hours with people at work. I think I know these people well, but really only one side of them. We all have an affect on each other, if someone is in a bad mood others take notice, and we all love to share in some one's good news. Occasionally I get to see them outside of the work environment and it seems weird.
The gym is different. I see the same people everyday but rarely talk to them. The gym isn't a social place, only a little bit for me. I usually try to stay focused and spend the least amount of time there with the most benefit. I think I give off an air of being unfriendly or something.
I usually drive home the same way and I see the same homeless man, always in the same spot. He even has an affect on me. I try to imagine myself in his shoes, or wonder what his story is; how did he get to this place in his life? Could I live without many of my possessions? I guess I could, many people in the world have far less than I do and they survive.
We all judge people, evaluate them, criticize them, and label them everyday. We form an opinion of others and we hardly even realize we are doing it. But I really try not to. We are all in this life together. We all affect each other, we are all connected like threads in the fabric of life.
I think about this and wonder: "What mark am I making in this world?"
6 comments:
Judging seems to be human nature! We can't help...it's defensive and instinctive! We are all capable of making some mark on the world, and we need to do what's right....I know it sounds like a text book response but it's so true!
the only worthwhile 'mark' is the love you leave behind when you go.
Great post. I think it's good that we are affected by others around us... we can't possibly have all the answers... it's a system of checks and balances.
Yes sir, yes I have considered our influence on one another. Just last night I received a message from a (used to be) kid that now has his own family -- thanking me for being a good role model and helper to him in his early life. I haven't heard from him in 20 years or more. And your post reminded me of one I wrote many years ago along these very same lines:
http://spiritofsaintlewis.blogspot.com/2006/12/stash-of-dollar-bills.html
What mark are you making in the world? Hmmmm, let me think about that?
When I check my mail, I look for envelopes or packages with a return address of Dallas...hoping you've sent me something.
When my phone "pings" because I have a text, I hope it's from you...
When my phone rings, I get excited to see the little picture of you dressed up for the holidays [it's your image I saved] because I know that getting letters, packages and or texts cannot replace the opportunity to share my day's events with my best friend, Jim.
I like what Steve and Ur-spo said. Judging seems to be human nature, you just have to work to counter that. The love, friendship, and happiness are the easiest things to spread. If those things help other you don't know that's even better.
Post a Comment