Do It Anyway

It's a gorgeous day here in Arizona, and I was fortunate enough to be able to go to lunch with my friend Carolyn today. We sat out on the patio at Pei Wei and chatted and ate as fast as we could so that we could pack in the laughs before it was time to get back to work. At the end of lunch, we each grabbed a fortune cookie and broke them open to see how we're doing in life.

I was happy with mine ... "Your ideas are valuable and people will listen." Validation and Thai Dynamite Tofu. The day was going well! Then Carolyn opened hers. "You are unselfish with your advice and help," it read. We laughed, because it was so true! Carolyn is always good for an ear or a word of encouragement.

Suddenly, having valuable ideas didn't sound so appealing. It was like comparing Donald Trump and Mother Theresa. I'd rather be compared to Mother Theresa any day, although I don't look so great without makeup and I'm a sucker for Coach purses. Carolyn, on the other hand, never seems to run out of time or energy to do things for other people. She's naturally nurturing and effortlessly helpful.

On the way back to the office, I started thinking about what I could do to be a little more selfless. So starting today, I'm vowing to do three things: forgive someone, go out of my way to help a stranger, and compromise on something even when I believe I'm right. Even if I am right. (The last of which may be the toughest one.)

I hope that, even though I won't have the immediate reward of having my valuable ideas listened to, I can inspire someone else to pass it on.

Warmly,
Amanda

Amanda Larson
Publisher
Gentle Path Press, a division of
New Freedom Companies
http://www.gentlepath.com/