My father and I were driving on the Irvine Ranch in California when he stopped the truck, “Stay here, I’m going to teach you an important lesson.” For the next half hour he drove the bulldozer that he talked the worker into relinquishing to him. Back and forth, back and forth he drove; he was clearly making a series of hills and valleys out of that man’s recently created road.
Dad shook hands with the worker, apologizing for the mess he had made, then got back into his truck. “It will take that guy an hour or so to clean up the mess I just made, and for the rest of the day he will know he does his job better than the Vice President of the Irvine Ranch.”
I make a daily attempt to help people see the good in themselves. Speaking appreciation is easy for me, not so for everyone. We are all a bi-product of our past. “I noticed how (patient/kind) you were with your sister.” The words, “I noticed” can also be, “I saw….”
“I appreciate how patient you were with me yesterday.” Start with the word “I” to make it personal, and add your appreciation statement.
A young man came out of an entrance door this morning, saw me and turned around, walking back to hold the door for me. I touched his heart as I walked by, “I love kindness wherever I see it. Thank you!”
Due to our excessively competitive world, we get a “I’m better than you” consciousness. One way to combat that is to recognize and verbalize the positive contributions another person makes.
I dream of a world where everyone supports each other, a world where we dare to be friends rather than competitors. I am a highly competitive person, yet I constantly strive to strengthen others. It’s always a good game when a competitor is equal in strength and abilities.
Please share with friends and family!
Scott A. McDaniel photo
