I haven't been here much lately. My mind has been taken up by other things, I guess.
But tonight, I find myself pondering the perfect random thought:
How do you know you've made an impression in anyone's life?
It's a question I find myself wondering about more and more lately. Have I made a difference to anyone? Family, which is important, doesn't count. Family is an act of God; it isn't something we actually do something about.
I'm talking about someone other than family.
I sometimes feel like any impression I've made here will vanish with me, that nothing will be left behind.
Strange thoughts, but there you go.
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2 comments:
My cousin was in the middle of a nasty divorce years ago and I sat down with pen and paper and wrote her a note about my divorce experience and how she could make hers less painful.
You're right, she was family, so maybe this doesn't count. But she was in California and I was in the Midwest and our paths seldom crossed. Anyway, it felt like a natural thing for me to do and I promptly forgot about posting the letter to her.
Years later she moved to Hawaii and we met her for dinner when we traveled there. She surprised me by reminding me about the letter and saying how important it was for her mental health at the time.
I think we all have the ability to make a positive impact on the lives of others so long as we're careful about our own energy and we remain open to seeing when someone in our circle is in need.
At those times, even the most trivial things we might say (or do) may be exactly what others need to move toward healing.
And of course...
Listening is frequently even more important.
You are good people, CJ.
I bet you've impacted more folks than you can imagine.
GB -
How strange that you chose this moment to post this comment here. I've been feeling at loose ends lately, like I'm just going through the motions and nothing I've done or said will ever really matter...
Thanks for the kind words.
cjh
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