“What a frightening thing the human is, a mass of gauges and dials and registers, and we can read only a few and those perhaps not accurately.”
- John Steinbeck
Every day, most of us wake up, grab coffee and head to the office for a day full of social marketing, PR or advertsing. Are we cognizant of the day? Do we understand the motions we go through? The why, instead of the how, is even more important on the life roller coaster.
Do we take for granted the work that we do, the people we meet and those that we encounter for a moment? The impact of everyone you meet is there, whether big or small. We know that we get people (understanding the market, target segmentation and demographics) and that the goal of X will meet objective Y. We tweet about different articles and how they have an impact on the space. We put in our time and head home.
But, how many times do you stop and think of how your actions affect the entire moment?
I volunteered today at the children’s hospital. Why I did isn’t the bottom line, or why I’ve felt compelled every day since Oct. 2002 to do so. It’s about that beautiful, 7 year old little girl who probably won’t see her 8th birthday because of a terrible battle with cancer. Who looked me in the face today and asked if I always live in the moment, and if my dog likes to play near the water.
And, I realized something. I couldn’t answer her off the top of my head. I couldn’t remember the last time I truly appreciated every little thing around me. Hours have turned into days, and days have turned into years. Years that she will probably never be able to see. I have a job that I love, great friends, a supportive family and a lovable dog. But, do I acknowledge them enough?
I want to be that brave. To face adversity and not get caught up in the petty. To be a better daughter, friend and employee. To keep thinking about other people and putting them first. To realize that in the grand scheme of things, a broken leg is nothing. It’s a hurdle. It’s a temporary obstacle. Years, Days, Hours, Seconds. You never know which will be your last of each.
Think of the last time you told a co-worker, friend, spouse/significant other that you truly appreciated them in some way. Was it yesterday? A few months ago? For those that truly matter, you make time. Every time. You don’t think, you just do. Jump without fearing. If you don’t like your job, find something else. Don’t like something about yourself? Change it. Feel something for someone? Tell them. Haven’t called a friend in awhile? Pick up the phone.
What stuck with me most today was that she told me, “I’m not angry or scared. I’ve gotten to wake up, give my mommy and daddy a kiss and see them one more day.”
So, let’s go. What are you grateful for today?
