Gift

My grandfathers taught me something that I’ll never forget. One of them was a successful businessman in the printing trade, however, I always found him taking the time to get to know people, their background and who they are. I can’t let go of the imprint left on me when I’d listen to him intently visit with people during lunch in the small cafe/drugstore out behind the shop. My other grandfather wasn’t financially wealthy, but he too had the gift of getting to know people. One day when I came home,  he and my grandmother were supposed to be there. She was, but he was next door making good friends with the neighbor he didn’t know. It’s like that’s what he lives for, ways to find and listen to people.

About a week ago, I went on a short walk and up ahead was a gal holding a sign on the corner asking for money. Our eyes made contact and I felt that awkward feeling come on. As I looked at her I saw a woman with a story that I had to know. Something in her life brought her to the point of standing on a corner begging for money.

As I spoke with her I was amazed at the trials in her life she had. She was an introvert, yet stood on the corner doing an extrovert activity. I learned she had 3 children she loved. She enjoys being with her family, cleaning and pet sitting. She has dreams of starting her own small business doing the simple things for people in their busy lives. She didn’t want attention, in fact, she would rather be in the background.  Although physically, she didn’t have the things of the world, she had many more things than I did. She had humility. She had the courage to do difficult things. She doesn’t quit. She didn’t need attention to be happy.

The Value

We can become less judgmental, more compassionate, and a bit more tolerable with others when we Take-A-Minute to really learn about one another and the road others have traveled to get where they are today. It’s amazing the real connections with people you make. Human-to-human. Real-to-real. Authentic-to-authentic. Just plain old love for others does wonders for the soul in a selfish world.

Finding this gift in each of us to know people, learning from them, and create new friendship is somehow there inside each of us. My life continually changes by the wonderful stories and journey’s I hear from others. There is courage, grit, and life learnings you hear that gives you that little extra you needed. I’m constantly reminded of how grateful the gift my grandfathers unknowingly passed on. Go find a story in someone…

Now go take on the day…

Take-A-Minute

DEWINGIT