I received a note out of the blue a few weeks ago. It was from someone who I met at work well over a year ago because of a common interest in the work of Eckhart Tolle. We met up in person after some virtual exchanges and quickly became spiritual “peer mentors” to one another. In similar places in our unfolding career stories, we found in each other a person we could trust, who would honor our confidence, and who would gently encourage the best in us. Then my friend left the company, abruptly. She made a courageous leap of faith based on her need to become more of the person she wished to be. The coming months were extremely difficult for her. As a single mother of two and sole provider for her household, the leap was stressful. We’ve kept in touch, and I know her journey has been rough. However, I also know that she is getting ever closer to a place of greater inner peace.
Months had passed since we last spoke when this note came into my inbox. It was an unexpected gift, a note of thanks from my friend. She gave me a Kindle book as thanks for helping her find a job. She’s employed now in a field that I know brings her much more joy than the work she was doing here, where I work. I am sure her other plans continue to evolve, as well. There is something to be said for having the ability to more securely meet our worldly, physical needs!
The gift, though, wasn’t the book. It was the thanks I received for helping her. You see, I simply made a connection between her and someone else I barely know, and that connection led to this opportunity for my friend. This other person, the one I barely know, is someone who happens to have been a potential contact for her in her new field. In simplest terms, he is the only person I knew in an adjacent field, so I introduced them, virtually. That’s it. The rest…the rest was born from her capabilities and this other person’s generosity. I met him only once, and I’ve exchanged a handful of email with him. What I saw in him was a generous human being with a passion for and focus on helping others.
I made a connection, but the true, unexpected gift came from the validation that nudging others, even if in seemingly small ways, can have deep and meaningful impact to those you choose to serve. With no motivation other than helping out a friend, I got a book in the process, too. Life affirmation and something uplifting to read…not a bad way to wind down the year!
In your life, there are undoubtedly opportunities to serve and nudge in the smallest ways. Seize those opportunities! Gratitude will find you.
Illuminate Possibilities 