NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR CONTRIBUTION
This week I want to talk about the contributions we all make to this world… so often without ever realising the magnitude!
“I've Learned That People Will Forget What You Said,
People Will Forget What You Did,
But People Will Never Forget How You Made Them Feel”
Maya Angelou
This notion of our ‘contribution’ all stemmed from a conversation I had with a close friend last week… we were ‘putting the world to rights’ - as you do within the confines of faithful comrades, (no wine involved… we were actually circumnavigating the park while our boys endlessly kicked a ball to each other!?)
So the kids were entertained by the football for hours… (apart from the odd interruption from a rogue four-legged fur-ball who thought he was Grealish), and we had the chance for a good catch-up, whilst simultaneously getting our steps in… hmmm maybe I can multi-task after all?!
What do I give to this world?
Mid-chatter, I heard my friend question her contribution to the world, “what’s my purpose… what do I give?…”
And let me tell you, this nearly made my heart break.
If only she knew…
There on that field, she was giving so much to me… support… understanding… space… comfort… encouragement… empathy…
I had probably been chewing her ear for the best part of half an hour about my current predicaments, worries and grievances… and she had listened, without judgement, just allowing me to offload!
And the benefits of that stayed with me for days!
I also realised that I probably hadn’t spoken so openly and candidly with anyone up until then…
Not consciously withholding it, more unaware of what was internally orbiting my headspace, longing to be freed, and she just gave me the air to let it go…
We were two small specks on a colossal planet, but there in that moment she made the biggest contribution… one she may never realise!
And I’m just one person…
Imagine if she makes others feel even a fraction of this, the effects will ricochet and multiply, effecting so many lives…
All the other people she undoubtedly offers the same space and support; her friends, family, work colleagues and clients… to her it may seem like nothing, but to us, it means so much!
AND she’s a mum! Surely parenting is one of the all-time contributions – she’s raising a mini human with love, safety and nurture, who will one day go on to contribute in their own way!
As a parent you give time… heartstrings… tears… patience… sustenance… care… joy… education… adventure…
Parenting is constant, and relentless, with NO user guide or instruction manual! Personally, I don’t know most days if I’m marginally succeeding or massively failing… yet onwards we go…
And parenting is just one example!
Trust me, we all contribute to this world in so many ways that positively influence other people… whether we know it, see it, feel it… or not… We ALL have an impact.
The nurse will see you now…
A few days later, I had an appointment with a nurse for a pre-op assessment, and she showed me another fundamental ‘contribution’… her approach!
She was kind, caring, informative, supportive, genial and genuine - it was the epitome of how one person can make all the difference!
I went in feeling like a timid 5-year-old; wide-eyed and nervous… but I came out with tears of laughter in my eyes!
She managed, so well, to put me at ease, that when she did my blood pressure there wasn’t even a hint of ‘white coat syndrome’ – and for someone who gets palpations just at the smell of a medical facility… (cue the image of a panic-stricken dog being dragged into the vets on it’s derriere!), I mean this was pretty impressive!!
The subtlety of kindness
And it wasn’t her professional qualifications, her technical skills, or some huge, life-changing act, it was the subtle approach of care and kindness from one person to another… one that stayed with me long after I left the hospital building.
One small gesture can change a person’s entire day.
THE POWER OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION
And it got me thinking… how often do we underestimate just how much we contribute?
It’s not about grand gestures or BIG momentous, mind-blowing contributions; like, creating the greatest invention of the last century… finding a cure for cancer… or writing poetry like Wordsworth… which are absolutely worthy of celebration and recognition!
But it’s the smaller, often overlooked, yet crucial ones that count; like precious gem stones – modest in size, but when genuine, extremely valuable!
· Smiling at a stranger in the street,
· Acknowledging a fellow befuddled parent on the school run,
· Checking-in on your sister to see how she’s doing,
· Messaging a friend just to say “hi”,
· Giving someone a hug when they’re in need of human connection,
· … just listening to someone.
These small everyday gestures are the ones that keep the world spinning!
The ‘RIPPLE EFFECT’
It is believed that kindness has a ripple effect… when one person receives a small act of kindness, they are more likely to pass it on and do something similar for others…
Imagine the potential for how many people this could ultimately effect in a single day, just from that one seemingly insignificant contribution!
Perhaps, we have become socially accustomed to reward or celebration for what we do and achieve that we’ve lost faith in the fact that we still make a worthy contribution to this world, every single day, without validation in recognition…
We are all important links in a substantial sequence of events… contributing to someone, somewhere, whether it’s instantaneous, or subtly behind the scenes … it all counts!
So please don’t doubt the positive effect you have on others…
Don’t ever underestimate your contribution 🧡
What are your thoughts on the small contributions we make?
Do you have any examples of ones you’ve given or received recently?
Why not share them by leaving a comment here…
Such a simple but wonderful message that we could all do with remembering more often 💖
Wow, what a powerful article on how the small things that we take for granted make a BIG difference. There is a lot to be said for unconditional positive regard and sometimes we really don't need or want an answer/a fix/to be mended we just need to be listened to attentively as it seems you were.
Love your articles Julie. ❤️