Most of you will not do great things
/I was a 18 years old, an eager freshman in the first few weeks of my Political Philosophy class.
My professor wandered the front of the room (we were talking about faith and purpose and vocation) and offered this reflection:
"Right now, you all are full of vigor - you've been told that you will go into the world and change the world by doing great things."
And here, he took a pause...
A breath, and continued,
"But most of you won't do what the world terms 'great things'. You will live lives where your greatest impact is on the people that are around you at work and in your families. And that will be OK. In fact, that is where the greatest impact and magic is."
*This is college Liesel, pictured above, probably getting free burritos with roommates at Chipotle*
I remember how I received Professor Woodiwiss's words - with a mixture of indignation and scorn. Other people might live quiet lives, but I was going to do big things.
But, the older I get, the truer his words ring. And I find them to be hopeful, in a beautiful way.
What to do with the world?
The world and it's needs can be overwhelming. This has felt like a low-ebb week for me.
Public leaders lob insults, bombs fall, and each time I open a news app, it seems like there is more unsettling news.
At the heart of my work is the belief that taking others into account, caring for them, giving support when it matters most good for business and good for the world.
But what about when it feels like the times are brutal and it is bare-knuckle powering-over, not care, that is rewarded?
It is then that I think back on Ashley Woodiwiss's words with hope.
There are problems that are way beyond my pay grade (and yours) - I will probably not do some big, epic thing in the world that will suddenly snap all that is broken back into focus.
But I can do a good work, right where I am planted, caring for my family and coworkers, reaching out when it matters, giving my money to meaningful causes, delighting in beauty and practicing gratitude. I can do a good work of willing the good for everyone that I encounter.
The starfish
Perhaps you've heard this tale/parable. A man is walking along the beach where hundreds of starfish have been stranded on the sand.
He picks up a fish and throws it in.
A passing woman scoffs, "you can't possibly save them all!"
And the man responds, "No, but I saved this one."
Starfish moments of gratitude and action
Yesterday, in between coffee meetings and an event walkthrough (can't wait for Empathy@Work on August 26 - you can still register here),
I left a short VM for a friend - she's been keeping vigil at the hospital.
Nothing fancy, just wondering how everything was going and checking in on her.
It doesn't take much to let someone know that they aren't alone.
Who could use your care today?
It doesn't have to be fancy or perfect - tell them
You're thinking of them
This is hard
They have what it takes
You are cheering them on
It's OK to not feel OK...because what happened was awful