I just read a wonderful little book by M. J. Ryan titled The Giving Heart. It’s a quick read and powerful.
She reveals a terrific teaching in this little story.
Helping other really is like a “feel good” pill. When I as doing the research for my last book I realized that making someone else happy creates happiness the fastest. Lending a hand, making someone smile, or being of use to someone other than ourselves helps us stop focusing solely on our own difficulties and gives a larger perspective to our days.
I was in a hurry, stressed, distracted and grouchy, but I had to go to the grocery store.
At the store, the line seemed interminable. Finally I was the next one up, but it was still taking forever. Despite my annoyance, I tuned in to what was happening. The young woman in front of me kept asking the cashier to give her the total after each item. She had a tiny baby in her cart, and it was clear she didn’t have enough money to pay for all the food she bought, so she went off to make a phone call, presumably to ask someone for money.
While she was gone, I asked the cashier to total up everything and tell her that she had enough money. I would make up the difference when she left. The cashier ask me if I knew her–I didn’t– and then if I were wealthy. “Yes,” I replied, thinking of my beautiful daughter, the roof over my head, and the privilege of doing work that I loved.
When I left the store, I realized I was singing along with the radio and feeling remarkably better. The best part of the situation was that the woman never realized what I had done.
I can do that, but I’ve got to learn to tune in!
Ron's Reflections 