the power of one.
April 2, 2008
James of Men with Pens wrote an inspiring post about provoking change with the elements of content. James spoke of choices, of rocking his readers and leading them down the path of change, and of the power of inspiration.
He went on to speak of how even the gentlest of breezes of voice has an effect on the world.
The day after I went live with this blog, I received a message on Facebook from an old friend with whom I haven’t spoken in some time. He had just read my introductory post why six weeks.
The message I received from my friend was, for me, a perfect example of what James was talking about:
Hey Brett;
An excellent and timely article Brett. I was speaking to one of my staff just this past Friday about exactly this sort of thing. I was trying to help him understand the concept of living in the present and living deliberately. I find too many people are stuck either re-living the past or living in anticipation of the future and they miss what’s right in front of them.
We work at a little company here in Hamilton and he commutes from Barrie every day. He is depressed, tired, cranky and can’t sleep or find the motivation to do anything anymore. I told him he needs to take control of his life and move on. Life is more important than any job or money. I offered him a separation package and he took it. I read “why six weeks” today and thought it was a perfect match with what he needed to hear so I printed it and gave it to him.
I have often considered the idea of writing, though I admit it has been a while since I seriously considered it. My focus was going to be on topics somehow related to practical implementation of spiritual exploration. The idea being that I have done a lot of reading and personal exploration on philosophical / spiritual concepts but have seen little on how it translates into practical living. In place of the writing I have found the management roles to be a very rewarding outlet for my personal approach / philosophies as I lead others with a goal of instilling a balanced perspective of job issues and life.
It is uplifting to find a kindred spirit within your writings.
Thanks,
Phil
I was totally blown away. Something I wrote affected the life of someone I will never meet, in a positive way, and also inspired a friend I haven’t seen for years. I shall think about my friend’s words for a very long time.
James is right. We can not only change the Internet, we can change the world. One person at a time.
The power of one. Like a stone thrown into a pond, the message ripples outwards affecting many, far and wide.
This is our time. We are all a part of it.
Brett,
That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? In this age of “knowing” thousands of people, truly touching one person is more essential and more rare than ever. Even in our real lives we actually look into other people’s eyes less and less–almost like the physical world is becoming an LCD screen, too… unless we make that deliberate attempt to break through to others.
You write as if you are speaking with someone, and that’s so much more valuable than talking at.
Glad you were able to work that magic for an old friend. Nice post.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Inspiration Points: Ideas
Hi Kelly: what you said has been on my mind for some time. It is almost as if we are losing our way, and I shouldn’t talk as I spend a lot of time on the computer, but it is important to truly interact with other people, to remain grounded. Technology can be used for this purpose, if you do it properly – this is a great example of it.
There is a bit more to the story now. My friend’s wife arranged a reunion for this circle of friends for the coming summer, just last night. I really hope that we can all make it. Most of us are married with one or more children, and have not been together in a group for over 10 years.
Wow. What else can I say? If I have at all contributed to a celebration of life amongst friends, then I have done good work.
That’s a good motto. Do good work today.
And thank you for your words, I find that you write the same way too. That is a writing style I am drawn to as a reader, and I guess I write the way I speak – a conversation flows both ways.
Thanks again for stopping by – Brett
Brett, Do you know The Indigo Girl’s song Perfect World?
That song is one my husband and and my theme songs. We have it as our ring-tones to each other.
“We get to be a ripple in the water
We get to be a rock that’s thrown
We get to be a boy on the bridge
Standing over the reservoir ….”
My mother would take us children over to the edge of the water, throw the pebbles in and have us watch how the ripples spread out. She would say, “No-one is an Island. Everything you do, affects others.We live in this world together.”
When I became a mother, I made sure I said the same words to my children.
I think when we really get that…we are half way there.
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..Stop and Smell the Goodness
OMG. The Big Chill–Millennial Edition, set in Canada. Take pictures, enough to last another decade, and have a blast!
Kelly’s last blog post..Inspiration Points: Ideas
@ Wendi: I am familiar with the song, but did not know the lyrics. That is a very nice piece – it makes one think, and it obviously means a lot to you.
I have said similar things to my children as well. I know when I see them out in the back yard, talking to the bugs instead of squishing them, that we are doing a good job.
@ Kelly: I will take pictures actually, and probably write about it as an eventual follow up to this post.
Thank you to both of you for saying hello today.
There have been a few times when people have commented or e-mailed to tell me that something I wrote resonated and had a profound and positive impact. I cherish each of those moments and I know that is why every day I wake up and choose to be a writer. It’s hard, sometimes grueling and exhausting work (which surprises many people), but the rewards and opportunities are great. Communication is a magical thing. Thank you for sharing your friend’s letter, Brett. We can all use encouragement like that every now and then
Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..Jeff Buckley: Grace (Album)
Hi Melissa,
You are very welcome – and, thank *you* for doing what you do. I look to your work for inspiration on a regular basis. I understand exactly what you mean – this is not an easy thing to do, especially when you consider that writing like this – blogging – is something extra a lot of us do, in addition to whatever pays the bills. Some write to pay the bills, some work at other jobs.
I sit and ponder over the words, in the wee hours and the late hours, and I’ll bet you do too. Anyway – thanks again for stopping in Melissa – and for sharing your great work with us.
Hi Brett
I came over for a read. Your site looks great. I also read 6 weeks. Both are good posts.
Jenny Burr’s last blog post..An Explosion
See, and I always assumed it was “6 weeks” so you’d show up first in my list of feeds when sorted alphabetically.
Bob Younce at the Writing Journey’s last blog post..Why the Internet is the Perfect Market for Writers
Hi Jenny,
Thank you very much for coming over to visit tonight. It was great to meet you today over at MwP and share a laugh about “explosions”. Keep doing what you’re doing, I really like what you’re writing too. And thanks for your compliments, it means a lot to me.
@ Bob:
(run, boys, he’s figured us out) You know, I never really thought about that but it was kind of a cool side effect I also discovered when I subscribed to my own feed in Google Reader. I’ll take the accidental victories when I can get them
thanks for stopping by!
Brett,
That’s fantastic… both you being able to help out a random stranger, and the reunion of your friends!
It’s always nice to know when you have touched someone far away.
Allison’s last blog post..It’s Your Time To Shine!
Hi Allison,
Thanks for stopping in to say hello! I thought so too – I see more and more of my old friends chiming in on Facebook and this shows the power that one simple thought can have.
PS – picture coming soon (of the sushiday t-shirt!)
Allison’s last blog post..It’s Your Time To Shine!
The theme of this article reminds me of the theme that was used in my Toastmasters District a few years ago: “Change your corner of the world.”
Mark Dykeman’s last blog post..Southwest Airlines – social media history in the making
Hi Mark, thanks for taking the time to stop by today. Wow, that is a great theme:
Change your corner of the world.
If each of us does one nice thing for someone else tomorrow, the world will shine.
first time i have visited this blog and finds very useful blog and i have also subscribe for this blog
ajay’s last blog post..Windows 7 in 2009 : Gates Said
Hi Ajay, thank you for stopping by and for your kind words today. I jumped over to your blog myself and I’ll be checking it out, as I think I’ll find your blog equally useful for some of the stuff I am doing.
Hope to see you soon again – Brett