Shine

The passage below is excerpted from the book Daily OM by Madisyn Taylor which has quickly become one of my favorites. My copy has a broken back, dog-eared pages, highlighting, and underlining and I like that it looks so used. There's hundreds of nuggets of wisdom and soul-fulfilling thoughts to be found here. The passage below is one I return to often when I'm feeling frustrated with my job, in dealing with the public and with managing people; it always brings me back to reason I have chosen to do what I do for a living and helps me 'not sweat the small stuff' as it were. Should you be looking for a quick read with a deep, long-lasting impression, check out Daily OM.

Spreading Your Light

How you affect others daily

   As the pace and fullness of modern life serve to isolate us from on another, the contact we do share becomes vastly more significant. We unconsciously absorb each other's energy, adopting the temperament to those with whom we share close quarters, and we find ourselves changed after the briefest encounters. Everything we do or say has the potential to affect not only the individuals we live, work, and play with, but also those we have just met. Although we may never know the impact we have had or the scope of our influence, accepting and understanding that our attitudes and choices will touch others can help us remember to conduct ourselves with grace at all times. When we seek always to be friendly, helpful, and responsive, we effortlessly create an atmosphere around ourselves that is both uplifting and inspiring. 

   Most people rarely give thought to the effect they have had or will have on others. When we take a few moments to contemplate how our individual modes of being affect the people we spend time
with each day, we come on step closer to seeing ourselves through the eyes of others. By asking ourselves whether those we encounter walk away feeling appreciated, respected, and liked, we can heighten our awareness of the effect we ultimately have. 

   Something as simple as a smile given freely can temporarily brighten a person's entire world. Our value-driven conduct may inspire others to consider whether their own lives are reflective of their values. A word of advice can help people see everything in an entirely new fashion, and small gestures of kindness can even prove to those embittered by the world that goodness still exists. By simply being ourselves, we influence others in both subtle and life-altering ways.

   To ensure that the effect we have is positive, we must strive to stay true to ourselves while realizing that it is the demeanor we project and not the quality of our wondrous inner landscapes that people see. Thus, as we interact with others how we behave can be as important as who we are. If we project our passion for life, our warmth, and our tolerance in our facial features, voice and choice of words, all who enter our circle of influence will leave our presence feeling at peace with themselves around us. 

   You never know whose life you are affecting, in a big way or small. Try to remember this as you go out into the world each day.

May you have a most blessed, giving day. Namaste.