Some life lessons are specifically addressed and others are
woven into a persons’ nature with subtle shaping, until it is a normal reaction
and not seen as unique. One of these valuable learned attributes is to always be
looking for how you and I can better something for someone else. It was
mentioned by journalist Marja Mills when she wrote about learning to wipe the
bathroom sink off at a public restroom, just to leave it better for someone
else. A simple act that only takes a few seconds led her to rethink this
concept in a much bigger way and incorporate it more fully into her life.
Yesterday, I saw that lesson being taught to a young girl,
from someone I am supposing is her mother. Coming out of a gas station/ Arby’s
on a road trip, the girl tossed her napkin towards the trash can. It bounced
across the top and landed on the ground on the other side. The little girl kept
going, until she was pointed back towards the trash can and instructed to pick
it up and throw it away. The lesson at the forefront seemed to be to pick up
after yourself. But, it was also this bigger concept of making something better
for someone else.
It really is a simple, but rather inspired, concept to be
actively looking for how to better something for someone else. As I go about my
day, I will be challenging myself to keep my eyes and ears open to what
possibilities there might be to better something for someone else. I hope you
join me.
